ESCANABA — Delta County is soliciting proposals for grants to aid in the treatment and prevention of opioid abuse.

“In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic, significant settlements have been reached with various pharmaceutical companies, resulting in funds designated to address the impacts of the crisis. Delta County has been allocated a portion of these settlement funds to address the opioid epidemic within our community,” reads the request for proposals (RFP) issued by the Delta County Board of Commissioners.

The application period is open now until March 31 and is available to non-profit organizations, local government entities, and community-based organizations operating within Delta County.

At the state level, the Michigan Opioids Task Force was formed in 2022 to serve as an advisory body within the Department of Health and Human Services. It includes representatives from each of ten regions in Michigan; the representative for the Upper Peninsula is Greg Toutant of Negaunee, who has worked in addiction and behavioral health treatment services for over 30 years.

The local Opioid Task Force was first added to the list of boards under the Delta County Board of Commissioners in January 2024.

“You may have heard that certain counties, cities, villages, receive funding through lawsuits … Delta County is going to be receiving $1.6 million over the next 18 years, and they wanted to put together a task force to get the money out to the community in best way possible,” said Health Officer for Public Health of Delta and Menominee Counties Mike Snyder, one of the appointed members of the Delta Opioid Task Force, making a public comment at the most recent Gladstone City Commission meeting to inform the city of the grant opportunity.

To mitigate the opioid crisis, programs that aid in recovery, treatment, harm reduction, and/or prevention may be eligible for fund distribution. Each grant issued may be for up to $30,000.

“The primary objective of this RFP is to solicit proposals from eligible entities that demonstrate innovative, evidence-based approaches to combatting the opioid epidemic within Delta County. Grant awards will vary based on the scope and impact of the proposed projects and their alignment with Delta County priorities,” states the RFP.

Target strategies outlined in the document include such examples as recovery services, media campaigns to prevent opioid misuse, expansion of access to testing and treatment of infectious diseases resulting from opioid use, community education and destigmatization, research into substance use disorder, support for families that face ensuing trauma, Naloxone distribution and training.

With a due date of March 31, the current cycle of grants will be for May through September of 2025. Another RFP for the next fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1, will emerge this summer.

More information may be found at deltacountymi.gov.