HHS announces the ND Opioid Settlement Fund Grant awards

BISMARCK, ND -North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Behavioral Health Division today announced the recipients of the North Dakota Opioid Settlement Fund (OSF) Grant awards. The grant awards will support the implementation of prevention, treatment and recovery initiatives and the enhancement of the behavioral health workforce in the state.

“Over the next 18 years, North Dakota will receive approximately $60 million in opioid settlement funds,” said North Dakota Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller. “The state has an opportunity to ensure we invest in long-lasting improvements that increase access to addiction services and prevent deaths.”

During the 2023 legislative session, North Dakota lawmakers enacted North Dakota Century Code § 50-36, which created the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee and appropriated $8 million from the Opioid Settlement Fund to HHS for the 2023-2025 biennium. At least 20% of these funds must be used for opioid use prevention and overdose prevention, including best practices relating to fentanyl drug overdose and approved use for behavioral health workforce development.

“Sixty-five applications were received, requesting about $59 million,” said Pamela Sagness, HHS Behavioral Health Division executive director. “We are grateful to see the dedication of so many organizations working to support behavioral health needs in the state.”

The following agencies will receive funding for their proposed projects:

• Valley City Public School ($160,000): Implement an evidencebased prevention curriculum in the Valley City Junior/Senior High School.

• Central Valley Health District ($37,409): Develop a Syringe Service Program in Jamestown, N.D., to help individuals with a substance use disorder connect to treatment and recovery services.

• Community Connect Providers ($3.9 million): Expand access to the community-based behavioral health program designed to provide behavioral health support services to individuals through the provision of care coordination and peer support in their North Dakota community.

• Community Medical Services ($452,389): Support the Opioid Treatment Program in Grand Forks by connecting individuals with opioid use disorder to evidence-based treatment services.

• Endeavor Sober Living ($535,000): Establish a recovery house in Minot, N.D., specifically serving pregnant and parenting women.

• First District Health Unit ($66,681): Expand the Syringe Service Program in Minot, N.D., to help individuals with a substance use disorder connect to treatment and recovery services.

• Heartview Foundation ($426,527): Establish medications for opioid use disorder services in southwest North Dakota.

• Nelson-Griggs District Health Unit ($21,600): Implement a system to standardize patient screenings for opioid use disorder within local hospitals to increase access to treatment and recovery services.

• North Dakota State University Opioid and Naloxone Education (ONE) Program ($82,537): Work handin-hand with tribal leaders to implement opioid harm prevention in tribal communities.

• Northeast Central Judicial District Drug Court in Grand Forks/ Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ($51,000): Provide substance use disorder treatment services and coordination of care to individuals involved in the Northeast Central Judicial District Drug Court in Grand Forks.

• Richland County Treatment Court ($134,000): Provide substance use disorder treatment services and coordination of care to individuals involved in the Richland County Treatment Court.

• Sanford Medical Center Fargo ($397,430):

Provide medications for opioid use disorder education and awareness training to health care providers, expand Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) and increase distribution of naloxone to uninsured patients.

• Training Academy of Addiction Professionals /Heartview Foundation ($613,002): Support development of behavioral health workforce in North Dakota through increased addiction counselor training opportunities, college scholarships and paid internships.

• USpireND – Healthy Families North Dakota ($130,075): Provide home visiting program for parents who are incarcerated and pregnant, parents who are incarcerated and have given birth within the last year, and parents in recovery and parents who have not yet entered recovery.

The OSF Grant is funded by the participation of North Dakota in the national opioid settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. A requirement

for receiving the settlement funds is the establishment of an advisory committee and utilizing the funds in a way that aligns with Exhibit E of the settlement documents.

Using recommendations from the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, chaired by Miller, the HHS Behavioral Health Division created the OSF Grant and accepted applications for the grant from Nov. 20, 2023, to Dec. 22, 2023. The funds awarded by the grant must be expended before June 30, 2025.

The Behavioral Health Division is responsible for reviewing and identifying service needs and activities in the state’s behavioral health system to ensure health and safety, access to services and quality services. It also established quality assurance standards for the licensure of substance use disorder program services and facilities and provides leadership in partnership with public and private entities. For more information, visit www.behavioralhealth. nd.gov.