Opioid Settlement Prevention Grant Program

Otter Tail County is offering a second round of grant funding through its opioid settlement initiative, which stems from a national legal settlement with pharmaceutical companies whose practices contributed to the opioid epidemic. These funds are intended to support community-based efforts that directly address substance use prevention, with a particular emphasis on stopping opioid misuse before it begins. The county is prioritizing prevention as a long-term strategy to reduce substance use disorders and improve public health outcomes across the community. The purpose of this funding round is to invest in programs and initiatives that build protective factors among youth and young adults, specifically individuals up to age 25. The county has identified prevention as a key leverage point, emphasizing the importance of connection, support systems, and early intervention. Projects funded through this opportunity should aim to reduce the likelihood of substance use by fostering resilience, promoting mental health, and creating inclusive environments where young people feel supported and engaged. Funding is available to a wide range of community-based entities operating within Otter Tail County. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations, youth-serving organizations, coalitions, and other groups working to improve community health outcomes. While organizations are not required to serve the entire county, they must clearly demonstrate how their proposed project will positively impact residents within the county. This inclusive eligibility structure is intended to encourage diverse approaches and ensure that underserved populations can be reached effectively. The types of projects that qualify for funding are those that focus explicitly on prevention. Examples include implementing evidence-based prevention curricula in schools, creating safe and supportive environments for youth through faith or community groups, delivering life skills and stress management education, and expanding access to youth mental health services. The county also encourages innovative and creative approaches, particularly those that address gaps in traditional programming or reach populations that are historically underserved or difficult to engage. The application process is straightforward and accessible. Applications will be made available beginning June 1, 2026, through the county’s official website. Applicants may submit their completed applications either through the online portal or by emailing the required materials directly to the public health department. The submission deadline for this funding round is July 15, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to reach out with questions via the provided email address or phone number to ensure clarity and completeness in their submissions. Evaluation of applications will likely focus on the project’s alignment with prevention goals, its potential impact on youth and community well-being, and the applicant’s ability to effectively implement the proposed activities. While specific scoring criteria are not detailed, emphasis is placed on building community connections and delivering measurable prevention outcomes. This suggests that strong proposals will clearly articulate both need and impact, as well as demonstrate organizational capacity. This funding opportunity does not explicitly state whether it is recurring, but as it is identified as a second round of funding, it suggests the possibility of future cycles depending on the availability of settlement funds and program outcomes. Applicants should consider this an opportunity to establish or expand prevention programs that could potentially receive continued support in subsequent funding rounds.

Focus on clearly demonstrating prevention impact for youth and community connection outcomes