Community Access
Can I provide input on spending?
70% 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. For example:
Rock County formed an Opioid Settlement workgroup in 2022, comprised of members from public health, human services, county administration, and law enforcement. The working group administered an opioid settlement survey, held public listening sessions, and conducted key informant interviews to inform the development of recommendations for the use of opioid settlement funds.[1] The recommendations and an accompanying report were then presented to the Rock County Board of Supervisors in the same year.
Public Health Sauk County surveyed the community in fall 2023 to gather input on use of opioid settlement funds.[2] The full report from the survey may be found here.
30% State share: Depends on future programming (not required). Though the state has not established recurring opportunities for the public to provide input on uses of its share, it has sought public input in the past. To gather information and input from citizens and stakeholders about opioid settlement spending priorities, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) conducted 12 listening sessions in January 2022, launched a public survey in early 2023, and co-hosted a series of roundtable events in December 2023 and February 2024.[3]
Can I apply for grants?
Yes. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has made grants available from the 30% state share in the past.[4] Local governments may create grant programs to distribute funds from the 70% local share. 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 county board of supervisors, city council, or local health departments (see, e.g., Eau Claire County, Iowa County, Marinette County, Milwaukee County, and Vernon County).[5]
For updates on the state share, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Dose of Reality: Opioid Settlement Funds website.
What else should I know?
Not applicable.
Citations
Report of Recommendations. Rock County Opioid Settlement Working Group. September 8, 2022. Accessed September 1, 2024 (see methodology described on page 10) ↑
Survey Results: How should Opioid Settlement funding be used in Sauk County? Sauk County Public Health. January 17, 2024. ↑
DHS Proposal for State Fiscal Year 2025.Wisconsin Department of Health Services. April 1, 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
DHS Proposal for State Fiscal Year 2025.Wisconsin Department of Health Services. April 1, 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
See also the Wisconsin Counties Association’s opioid abatement website. ↑
Last updated
