Application now open to receive opioid settlement funds
Local organizations combating the opioid crisis and substance abuse will get the chance to receive funds from the latest round of a landmark opioid settlement.
Buchanan County and the City of St. Joseph have opened the application window for individuals and organizations to apply and possibly receive a portion of $156,000 in annual opioid settlement funding, the second round since the settlement was first announced in 2021.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on March 15. The application form is located at www.stjoemo.org/1116/Opioid-Settlement-Funds-St-Joseph-Buchan. The application must be downloaded, completed with project, activity details and projected outcomes, as well as the funding request.
This is not an electronic application. The city prefers that the application will be scanned and submitted via email to kbundy@@stjosephmo.gov or smalita@stjosephmo.gov. Additional information on the entire application process can be found at the same website listed above.
Mailed proposals will be accepted and should be post-marked by March 15, 2025, and sent to:
The City of St. Joseph Health Department
Opioid Settlement Funds Application
904 South 10th Street, Suite E
St. Joseph, MO 64503
According to a Memorandum of Understanding agreed upon between the City and Buchanan County, funds must go to local support services that focus on opioid treatment, prevention and education, as well as filling gaps between City and County opioid prevention services, addressing unmet substance use prevention needs and supporting sustainable resources for the prevention of substance use disorders.
In order to maximize the impact of settlement funding, approximately 80% of available funds will be reserved for local, non-profit support services and other resources in the area of treatment, prevention and education.
Approximately 10% of funds (approximately $15,700) are set aside to help fund small scope initiatives occurring within a six-month period of time. These “mini grants” are for one-time projects.
The final 10% of funding is earmarked for administrative costs associated with filing applications.
While the entirety of the opioid settlement with the city and county totals more than $2 million, funds will be broken down into annual funding cycles until 2039 to ensure consistent funding is available for the duration of the settlement agreement.
The $2 million is part of a massive $26 billion settlement announced in 2021 with four drug companies: McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and Johnson & Johnson, to resolve thousands of lawsuits for claims they helped fuel the opioid crisis.
Awards will be determined by an eight-member committee consisting of community members with established involvement in the Buchanan County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention and/or as subject matter experts.
Members on last year’s board included:
Kendra Bundy, St. Joseph Health Department assistant director
Stephanie Malita, health educator with the St. Joseph Health Department
Tammy Smith-Hinchey, St. Joseph School District health services coordinator
Pat Dillon, chief government and community relations officer with Mosaic Life Care
Capt. Shawn Collie with the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force
Chief Paul Lester with the St. Joseph Police Department
Dr. Robert Corder, treatment and addiction physician with The Center, a Samaritan Center
Guidance is provided to ensure applications meet the requirements outlined in the lawsuit settlements, which guarantees funds are spent to implement approved uses.
The Opioid Settlement Funds application website includes the Opioid Settlement Funds Application; Opioid Settlement Funds Funding Objectives and Limitations and Opioid Settlement Funds Schedule B Approved Uses.
After funding agreements have been executed, the board will perform quarterly reviews to determine if organizations and agencies are meeting their settlement funding goals.
Groups selected to receive funds in 2024 included:
Buchanan County EMS: $13,500
St. Joseph Metro Treatment Center: $5,000
Mission House Covenant Community: $1,150
The Samaritan Counseling Center: $41,450
St. Joseph Youth Alliance: $10,000
St. Joseph Museums: $3,000
Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office: $7,450
Community Missions: $45,000
