Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

• 75% state share: Not… yet? (not required). The state has not established recurring opportunities for the public to provide input on uses of its 75% share.[1] However, the Trustee of the Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission (GOSAC) intends for future GOSAC meetings to include dedicated opportunities for public comment.[2]

• 25% local share: Up to each locality (not required). Local governments are not required to seek public input on uses of their shares. However, each may choose to seek such input. Watch for opportunities to weigh in on city and county spending decisions, such as city council meetings and town halls.

Can I apply for grants?

Yes. Georgia has established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations are eligible to apply. Local governments also may create grant programs to distribute their share of funds. The existence, parameters, and processes for local settlement grant programs will vary by locality, so stay alert for new opportunities. Visit the Opioid Settlement Community Grants Portals (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.

Where do I go for updates?

• For updates on the state share, visit the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust website, which includes information about the Trust’s Governor Appointed Trustee, Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission, Regional Advisory Councils, and Qualifying Block Grantees.

• To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the website for your county commission, city council, or local health department.

• You can also sign up for updates from Community Education Group’s Appalachian Opioid Remediation (AOR) Database, which tracks information about the 13 states of Appalachia.

What else should I know?

Not applicable.

Citations

1. If you see this change, email [e-mail]. There is no legal requirement for decision-makers to seek public input on uses of this share. ↑

2. Vital Strategies and OpioidSettlementTracker.com have confirmed this intent in an August 2024 e-mail exchange with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities, whose Commissioner also serves as Trustee of the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust. ↑