Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

50% state share: Yes (required). Pursuant to the and according to its , the Opioid Advisory Commission (OAC) is required to include the opportunity for public comment in its ,[1] which must take place at least quarterly but in practice have occurred about every other month.[2]
- Community Impact Survey. The OAC has also issued a 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 (under “Community Voices”).[4] Keep an eye out for future programming,[5] and subscribe to OAC meeting notifications by emailing this address: .[6]
- Community Engagement and Planning Collaborative (CEPC). The OAC has also convened an advisory group to support and advise on “key priority areas related to community engagement and health equity.”[7]
- “Feedback or questions.” The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) has an , and has stated that “[f]eedback or questions regarding the opioid settlements and investments or the MDHHS opioids settlements website may be directed to .”[8]
The include dedicated public comment periods as well.[9] The Task force is subject to the 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 requires public bodies to accept public comment at their meetings.[13] Each locality may choose to seek public input beyond this requirement. For example, the Board of Commissioners in Kalamazoo County established an Opioid Settlement Fund Task Force by , which meets regularly and receives feedback from members of the public.[14] Berrien County’s similarly 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 their 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 (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 , the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) page, and the Michigan Opioid Task Force’s . You can also subscribe to OAC meeting notifications by emailing and sign up for updates from MDHHS’ Opioid Task Force .
For updates on the local share, visit the Michigan Association of Counties’ , which describes counties’ funded plans and strategies, and the Michigan Attorney General’s website, which contains an 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., , , , ).

What else should I know?

Not applicable.

Citations

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Last updated 4 months ago