Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Support OTP Innovation
Opioid settlement funds are a powerful resource for expanding access to life-saving treatments. But too often, these funds are not going to the programs that directly treat Opioid Use Disorder and help prevent overdoses.
In a recent Sonara webinar, JK Costello, MD, MPH from The Steadman Group provided an overview of the settlement fund landscape and shared his best advice for finding and applying for these grants.
JK frequently helps states and counties put together their plans for settlement facilitation, and he has valuable insights about what makes a favorable applicant and how to improve your chances of getting approved:
What are Opioid Settlement Funds?
Opioid settlements are the payments required from distributors, pharmacies, and drug makers, intended to help address the opioid epidemic driven, in part, by their actions.
Currently, $50 billion is earmarked for states, regions, towns, Native American tribes, and counties to use to remediate and abate the impacts of the opioid crisis. This amount will likely increase over time.
The structure of these settlements will vary depending on your location. To better understand what funds are available in your area, we recommend referencing your state’s website and the Opioid Settlement Tracker site. Making the COVID-19 take-home flexibilities permanent
Dos and Don'ts of Settlement Fund Applications
When applying for opioid settlement funds, take the time to research the specific purpose of each grant and tailor your application to their request. Focus on telling a story about how your project aligns with their specific goals, highlighting statistics like:
OTP availability
Suboxone and methadone prescription rates
Overdose rates
Health disparities among people with OUD, including overdose rates, prescribing patterns, and medication use
JK also recommends adhering to these dos and don’ts:
DO verify whether for-profit organizations are eligible. Many grants will be open to for-profit organizations, but others may not. If your organization is not eligible, you may be able to apply as a sub-applicant with a not-for-profit partner.
DO build partnerships to prepare for grants and get involved well before issuance. We’ve seen success with this strategy at Sonara, where we often apply as a sub-applicant along with an OTP looking to use Sonara's remote dosing solution for their patients.
DON’T use ChatGPT to write generic applications. Make sure to individualize your application to the grant you’re applying for. People will be able to tell if they’re reading a templated application, and it will hurt your chances. You should also avoid sending out applications to distant locations, as locally established organizations will almost always be preferred.
DON’T apply for grants that don’t list your specific services. There are plenty of broad grants and others that will match the services you provide, so don’t waste your time on applications that you’re not a strong fit for.
DON’T Assume that recovery is not treatment. Some requests for recovery-focused services will include medication assisted treatment, too.
Partner with Sonara on Your Next Settlement Fund Application
Sonara Health frequently partners with OTPs to draft settlement fund applications to help fund use of Sonara’s remote dosing solution to increase access to treatment.
To learn more about how we can support your application, contact our team.
