Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced the new Opioid Abatement Fund grants program, designed for opioid remediation projects and supported with County funds through the National Opioid Settlement.The grants program is part of an ongoing effort to better support overdose prevention strategies and response organizations whose goal is harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. The funds will help community-based organizations deliver the services that support people on their path to recovery.“The opioid epidemic continues to be a serious public health concern in Baltimore County, and there’s not a community in the area that hasn’t been touched by the disease of opioid addiction,” Olszewski said. “These grants will help us continue to do everything within our power to raise awareness, increase access to services and save the lives of our neighbors and loved ones.”The funds can be used for opioid remediation projects as defined by the National Opioid Settlement and Baltimore County Overdoes Response Priorities, the latter of which were determined by public input, subject matter experts, fatality case reviews and interviews with individuals who have lost a loved one to overdose. These priorities may address, but are not limited to:Community-based harm reduction services, including naloxone dispensing, evidence-based services, mobile services, street-based outreach and inclusion of all routes of drug use; Expanded access to medications for opioid use disorder; Integration of trauma-informed care in service provision to high-risk populations; Providing treatment options that support individuals with children and pregnant women, including family-centered treatment approaches; Education and resources to support families affected by substance use disorder; and Services targeted to high risk or underserved populations.Organizations that focus on overdose prevention and response that are private or not-for-profit, serve Baltimore County residents, and preferably located in Baltimore County are encouraged to apply for a grant. Projects should request a minimum of $25,000 and no more than $250,000 annually.If your project is approved for funding, it will be funded for one year, with the opportunity to have funding renewed for an additional two years, dependent on achievement of timeline benchmarks and performance metrics.If your organization or group would like to apply, those interested is encouraged to attend the Baltimore County Opioid Abatement Fund Grant webinar on Wednesday, October 16 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Interested organizations are encouraged to register at this link.To apply, and get full information about the grants available, visit the Baltimore County Opioid Abatement Fund webpage here.Project proposals are due Friday, November 8, 2024 at 4 p.m.