> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.opioidsettlementguides.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.opioidsettlementguides.com/michigan/community-access.md).

# Community Access

### **Can I provide input on spending?**

* **50% state share: Yes (required).** Pursuant to the [Michigan Open Meetings Act](https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-ACT-267-OF-1976) and according to its [bylaws](https://council.legislature.mi.gov/Content/Files/OAC/FINAL%20OAC%20BYLAWS.08.31.2022.pdf#page=3), the Opioid Advisory Commission (OAC) is required to include the opportunity for public comment in its [meetings](https://council.legislature.mi.gov/Council/OAC),\[1] which must take place at least quarterly but in practice occurred about every other monthin 2024-2025.\[2]

  * **Community Impact Survey**. The OAC has also issued a [survey](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7P5WJ2N) intended to “include community voices — especially individuals and families who have been directly impacted — in conversations around planning and use of state opioid settlement funds.”\[3]
  * **Virtual listening sessions and regional events.** The OAC links to past virtual listening sessions and regional events on its [website](https://council.legislature.mi.gov/Council/OAC) (under “Community Voices”).\[4] Keep an eye out for future programming,\[5] and subscribe to OAC meeting notifications by emailing this address: <opioid-advisory-comm-join@listserver.legislature.mi.gov>.\[6] You can also contact the OAC directly by emailing <OAC@legislature.mi.gov>.
  * **“Feedback or questions.”** The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) has an [opioid settlements website](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/opioidsettlements), which instructs that stories, feedback, suggestions, and questions may be submitted to [MDHHS OpioidSettlementHelp@michigan.gov](mailto:MDHHS-OpioidSettlementHelp@michigan.gov).”\[8]

  The [Michigan Opioids Task Force's](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/crisis-response) [meetings](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/nel) include dedicated public comment periods as well.\[9] The task force is subject to the [Michigan Open Meetings Act](https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-ACT-267-OF-1976) and must hold at least four public meetings per year.\[10] It is also required to “promote stakeholder participation,”\[11] and its activities *may* include engaging in “outreach to ensure all stakeholders in impacted areas are informed, educated, and empowered.”\[12]
* **50% local share: Generally, yes.** Though local governments are not required to seek public input as to opioid settlement spending specifically, Michigan’s [Open Meetings Act](https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-ACT-267-OF-1976) requires public bodies to accept public comment at their meetings.\[13] Each locality may choose to seek public input beyond this requirement. For example, Berrien County’s [Opioid Settlement Taskforce](https://www.berriencounty.org/1902/Opioid-Settlement-Task-Force) provides that its “\[c]ommunity members are encouraged to reach out with questions, concerns or feedback regarding opioid settlements or the Opioid Settlement Taskforce.”\[15] Watch for other 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 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations are eligible to apply. Visit its [Settlement Spending](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/opioidsettlements/settlement-spending#opportunities) page to view current funding opportunities. 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](https://www.opioidsettlementtracker.com/communitygranttracker) (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 OAC’s [website](https://council.legislature.mi.gov/Council/OAC), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) [Opioid Settlements](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/opioidsettlements) page, and the Michigan Opioids Task Force’s [page](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/crisis-response). You can also subscribe to OAC meeting notifications by emailing <opioid-advisory-comm-join@listserver.legislature.mi.gov> and sign up for updates from MDHHS’ Opioid Task Force [here](https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDHHS/subscriber/new?topic_id=MIDHHS_848).
* For updates on the local share, visit the Michigan Association of Counties’ [Opioid Settlement Resource Center Dashboard](https://micounties.org/opioid-settlement-resource-center/) and the Michigan Attorney General’s [Opioids](https://www.michigan.gov/ag/initiatives/opioids) website, which contains an [Opioid Settlement Funds Implementation in Action](https://www.michigan.gov/ag/initiatives/opioids#:~:text=Opioid%20Settlement%20Funds%20Implementation%20in%20Action) section describing certain localities’ uses of funds.\[16] Another way to find updates on the local share is to check the websites for your county commission, city council, or local health department (*e.g.*, [Berrien County](https://www.berriencounty.org/1902/Opioid-Settlement-Task-Force), [Cass County](https://www.casscountymi.org/1574/Opioid-Settlement-Funds), [Calhoun County](https://calhouncountymi.gov/departments/finance/opioid_settlement_funds.php)).

### **What else should I know?**

**Not applicable.**

### **Citations**

1. Bylaws, [Art. VIII](https://council.legislature.mi.gov/Content/Files/OAC/FINAL%20OAC%20BYLAWS.08.31.2022.pdf#page=3). Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission. Adopted August 31, 2022 (“Pursuant to Michigan’s Open Meetings Act, individuals may express their opinions on Commission matters. … For a Commission agenda item, the Commission will ask if any member of the public wishes to make a comment before the Commission. … Comments shall pertain to a topic or topics which might normally come before the Commission”). *See also* Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(10) ("The opioid advisory commission shall conduct its business in compliance with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275”); and 15.263(5) (“A person must be permitted to address a meeting of a public body under rules established and recorded by the public body”). For background on the requirements of the Michigan Open Meeting Act, consult this [resource](https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/-/media/Project/Websites/libraryofmichigan/For-Libraries/Administration/Library-Law/Open-Meetings-Act/Open-Meetings-Act-Info-Sheet.pdf). ↑
2. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(8) (“The Opioid Advisory Commission shall meet at least quarterly”). Opioid Advisory Commission (“[Meeting Minutes](https://council.legislature.mi.gov/Council/OAC)”)*.* Michigan Legislative Council website. Accessed June 9 2026. ↑
3. [Community Voices](https://council.legislature.mi.gov/Content/Files/OAC/OAC%20Community%20Impact%20Survey%20Announcement.pdf). Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission. Accessed June 11, 2026. ↑
4. Opioid Advisory Commission (“[Community Voices](https://council.legislature.mi.gov/Council/OAC)”). Michigan Legislative Council website. Accessed June 11, 2026. ↑
5. For example, in February 2024, MDHHS noted that “\[m]any more opportunities \[are] soon to be announced, including listening session series.” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian and Amy Epkey. [Fiscal Year 2025 Opioid Settlement Budget](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Inside-MDHHS/Budget-and-Finance/FY25-Budget-Presentations/FY-2025-Opioid-Settlement-Presentation-to-Senate-Subcommittee-24-02-28-Final.pdf?rev=58115fcb4fd84dfbbb444594c88960f0\&hash=70FEE89022B93D33055136301B11F2C4#page=11), Slide 8 (“[Community Engagement Efforts](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/-/media/Project/Websites/opioids/documents/Opioid-Settlement-Docs/FY-2025-Opioid-Settlement-Presentation-to-Senate-Subcommittee-24-02-28-Final.pdf?rev=d222a04bb9cb48f2a34ce861df986fa4\&hash=4203987D88BC045552BB89189304EC84#page=8)”). Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. February 28, 2024. ↑
6. No subject line or additional content is necessary in the email to subscribe. ↑
7. \[Reserved].↑
8. [Opioid Settlements](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/opioidsettlements). Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website. Accessed June 11, 2026. ↑
9. *See, e.g.*, [November 5, 2025 Approved Minutes](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/-/media/Project/Websites/opioids/documents/OTF-docs/11052025-Opioid-Task-Force-Approved-Meeting-Minutes.pdf?rev=9f300193c8a2472c95c8f2bbe022ccd7\&hash=7ACF99E53349ABA43CAE4B17B1457603). Michigan Opioids Task Force. Accessed June 11, 2026.↑
10. Michigan Executive Order 2022-12, [Sec. 3(c)](https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/state-orders-and-directives/2022/09/29/executive-order-2022-12). ↑
11. Michigan Executive Order 2022-12, [Sec. 3(d)](https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/state-orders-and-directives/2022/09/29/executive-order-2022-12). ↑
12. Michigan Executive Order 2022-12, [Sec. 2(c)(6)](https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/state-orders-and-directives/2022/09/29/executive-order-2022-12). ↑
13. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 15.263(5) ("A person must be permitted to address a meeting of a public body under rules established and recorded by the public body"). For background on the requirements of the Michigan Open Meeting Act, consult this [resource](https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/-/media/Project/Websites/libraryofmichigan/For-Libraries/Administration/Library-Law/Open-Meetings-Act/Open-Meetings-Act-Info-Sheet.pdf) (*see, e.g.*, "under Michigan’s OMA, public bodies must provide time during the public meeting to permit the members of the public in attendance an opportunity to address the public body"). ↑
14. \[Reserved]. ↑
15. [Berrien County Opioid Settlement Taskforce](https://www.berriencounty.org/1902/Opioid-Settlement-Task-Force). Berrien County website. Accessed June 11, 2026. ↑
16. As of June 2026, this section of the Michigan Attorney General’s [Opioids](https://www.michigan.gov/ag/initiatives/opioids) website hosted information about certain counties’ plans for and uses of settlement funds, *i.e.*, [Monroe County Opioid Analytics Dashboard](https://dashboard.knowmoremonroe.com/), [Berrien County: Opioid Settlement Taskforce](https://www.berriencounty.org/1902/Opioid-Settlement-Task-Force), [Calhoun County: Use of Opioid Settlement Funds](https://www.calhouncountymi.gov/departments/finance/opioid_settlement_funds.php), [Eaton County: Strategic Plan](https://eatoncounty.org/1268/Substance-Use-and-Misuse), [Kalamazoo County: Allocation of Settlement Funds](https://wwmt.com/news/local/kalamazoo-county-government-discuss-meijer-opioid-settlement-fund-disbursement-assessment-healthh-educator-nurse-position-drug-testing-body-scanner), [Lenawee County: Opioid Action Plan](https://www.lenawee.mi.us/1089/Lenawee-County-Opioid-Action-Plan), and [Montcalm County: Public Services](https://www.thedailynews.cc/articles/montcalm-co-awards-opioid-settlement-money/). ↑


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