Community Access
Can I provide input on spending?
56.14% local share: Generally, yes. Though local governments are not required to seek public input as to opioid settlement spending specifically, they must accept public comments during their public meetings, including comments that may be unrelated to a particular meeting’s agenda.[1] Take advantage of this requirement by showing up to meetings of your local city council or board of county commissioners and offering comments on local settlement spending, and watch for other opportunities to weigh in on city and county spending decisions, such as city council meetings and town halls.
43.86% Fund for a Resilient Nevada share: Yes (required). The Advisory Committee for a Resilient Nevada (ACRN) is required by its bylaws to include the opportunity for public comment during its meetings,[2] and the ACRN is required by state law to hold a least one public meeting to solicit community input prior to finalizing its biennial recommendations report.[3] Visit the ACRN’s website to find upcoming meeting dates and its 2024 ACRN Public Meetings calendar, which links to agendas that show that the ACRN typically invites public comment at the beginning and end of each meeting.[4] The ACRN is required to meet at least twice each year,[5] but has met more frequently during certain years.[6] Look out for opportunities to participate in the various needs assessments required by state law as well:
Statewide needs assessment. The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) is required by state law to conduct a statewide needs assessment at least once every four years.[7] When conducting the needs assessment, NDDHS is required to “use community-based participatory research methods or similar methods to conduct outreach to groups impacted by the use of opioids, opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders,”[8] including “persons and families impacted by the use of opioids and other substances” and “communities of persons in recovery from [OUD] and other [SUDs].”[9]
Regional, local, and tribal needs assessments. Entities that apply for monies from the Fund for a Resilient Nevada must conduct their own needs assessments that also use community-based participatory research or similar methods.[10] See, e.g., Lyon County’s and Washoe County’s community needs assessments.
Can I apply for grants?
Yes. Visit the Fund for a Resilient Nevada’s Notice of Funding Opportunities webpage to view current opportunities.[11] Local governments 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 Portal (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?
To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the websites for your board of county commissioners, city council, or local health department.
For updates on the Fund for a Resilient Nevada share, visit the Fund’s website, which includes updates regarding the Advisory Committee for a Resilient Nevada (including upcoming and past meetings), funding opportunities, and reports. You can also sign up for the Fund for a Resilient Nevada (FRN) Listserv here and contact the FRN by emailing FRN@dhhs.nv.gov.
What else should I know?
Not applicable.
Citations
Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. Sec. 241.021(1)-(2). ↑
The Advisory Committee for a Resilient Nevada’s bylaws requires it to operate in accordance with Nevada’s open meetings law, which legally requires public bodies to accept public comments at their meetings. Advisory Committee for a Resilient Nevada Bylaws, Article V Sec. 1. October 14, 2021; Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. Sec. 241.021. This includes allowing public comments unrelated to matters on a specific meeting’s agenda. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. Sec. 241.021(2) (adding that "[n]o action may be taken upon a matter raised during a period devoted to comments by the general public until the matter itself has been specifically included on an agenda as an item upon which action may be taken”). ↑
Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. Sec. 433.730(4) (“Before finalizing a report of recommendations pursuant to subsection 1, the Advisory Committee must hold at least one public meeting to solicit comments from the public concerning the recommendations and make any revisions to the recommendations determined, as a result of the public comment received, to be necessary”). ↑
See, e.g., Notice of Public Meeting – Advisory Committee for a Resilient Nevada (ACRN). Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. July 11, 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. Sec. 433.728(2). See also Advisory Committee for a Resilient Nevada Bylaws, Article V Sec. 3. October 14, 2021. ↑
Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. Sec. 433.734(1)(a). ↑
Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. Sec. 433.736(2)(a). ↑
Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. Secs. 433.736(2)(a)(1), (4). ↑
Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. Secs. 433.740(1)(a) ("An application submitted by a regional, local or tribal governmental entity must include … [t]he results of a needs assessment that meets the requirements of NRS 433.742”), 433.742(2)(a). Regional, local, and/or tribal needs assessments must be conducted at least once every four years, or more frequently if required by Nevada Department of Health and Human Services regulations. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. Sec. 433.740(5). ↑
FRN Notice of Funding Opportunities. Nevada Department of Health and Human Services website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
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