Community Access
Can I provide input on spending?
85% Opioid Settlement Fund share: Yes (required). North Dakota state law requires the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee to “develop a process for receiving spending recommendation input from political subdivisions and the public,”[1] and the Advisory Committee includes a dedicated public comment period at each of its meetings, typically at the end of each agenda.[2] Visit the Advisory Committee’s website to find upcoming meeting dates and agendas, as well as information about past meetings.[3] The Advisory Committee is required to meet at least four times annually.[4]
Listening sessions: The Advisory Committee held three listening sessions in 2023,[5] and published a summary of feedback received during those sessions.[6] Stay alert for similar kinds of opportunities in future.
15% 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. The state has previously posted grant opportunities on this website.[7] 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?
For updates on the Opioid Settlement Fund share, visit the North Dakota Opioid Settlement website, which includes information about past and upcoming meetings, in addition to summaries of past listening sessions, and grant opportunities.
For updates on the local share, visit the North Dakota Opioid Settlement website’s Political Subdivision Allocation Plans section and check the websites for your board of county commissioners, city council, or local public health unit. The Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee's website also hosts a list of Subdivision Opioid Payment Contacts.
What else should I know?
Anyone seeking more information about the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee can contact Amy Lies at North Dakota Health and Human Services’ Behavioral Health Division: amlies@nd.gov.[8]
Citations
N.D. Cent. Code Sec. 50-36-03(2)(a). The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services’ also must “develop a process for receiving and evaluating spending recommendations of the committee.” N.D. Cent. Code Sec. 50-36-04(1). ↑
See, e.g., Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee August 15, 2024 Meeting Notice and Agenda. North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services website. Posted July 29, 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (see “Committee Meetings”). North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
See “Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee” on the Official Portal for North Dakota State Government’s Boards website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (see “Committee Meetings”). North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
Condensed List of Recommendations. Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee. North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
As of September 1, 2024, the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services website indicated that all available grant funding (approximately $7 million) had been awarded for the 2023-2025 Biennium. These grants must be expended by June 30, 2025 (see “State Opioid Settlement Funding Opportunity”). ↑
Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee August 15, 2024 Meeting Notice and Agenda. North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services website. Posted July 29, 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
Last updated
