Medford among municipalities, organizations granted $1.5 million to address opioid crisis

The following was submitted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced $1.5 million in matching grants to 30 municipalities and community-based organizations in areas disproportionately impacted by the overdose crisis, including the city of Medford.

These grants are the second round of funding announced through the Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership (Mosaic), a collaboration developed in 2024 between the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and RIZE Massachusetts to increase the equitable allocation of Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) grants to small community-based organizations and municipalities.

“The Mosaic Municipal Matching Grant program exemplifies our commitment to a collaborative and compassionate approach in addressing the overdose crisis. By empowering local municipalities and community-based organizations, we are fostering innovative solutions that meet individuals where they are,” said Undersecretary of Health Kiame Mahaniah, MD. “This funding not only supports essential services but also strengthens our collective resolve to create safer, healthier communities for everyone, with a particular focus on those affected by the opioid epidemic.”

“Our ability to meaningfully reduce the devastating impacts of the overdose crisis is dependent on expanding pathways to accessible services at the grassroots level. These nonprofit organizations are equipped with the knowledge and resources to respond effectively to the unique needs of their communities,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Supporting culturally responsive and evidence-based strategies in our hardest-hit communities has – and will continue to – save lives.”

Communities had the option of applying for funding directly, partnered with a nonprofit organization, or by collaborating and pooling funding with other municipalities. The 30 one-year grants range from $5,000 to $150,000 and will fund initiatives focusing on at least one of the following areas: prevention, harm reduction, access to care, recovery, trauma, grief, and family supports.

Respective municipalities will earmark a matching portion of their previously distributed opioid settlement funds to the proposed initiative. RIZE will provide grantees with technical assistance and learning opportunities tailored to their specific needs to strengthen organizations and develop sustainability.

“These grants represent a vital investment in our communities as we tackle the overdose crisis head-on,” said Deirdre Calvert, director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. “Engaging people with lived and living experience in the decision-making process ensures that their insights and perspectives shape the solutions we develop.”

“We are excited to welcome the first cohort of 30 municipalities to Mosaic. I want to recognize their efforts to partner with each other and organizations in their communities to find collaborative approaches to ending the overdose crisis,” said Julie Burns, president and CEO of RIZE Massachusetts Foundation. “These municipal grantees demonstrate the true nature of Mosaic – bringing together disparate and innovative approaches that span the care continuum and the Commonwealth’s geography to create a holistic approach to ending the overdose crisis. We are proud to be able to unlock new funding streams to support the work they are doing to save lives, and we look forward to our continued partnership.”

RIZE will conduct two additional Municipal Matching Grant rounds through 2027, awarding a total of $4 million in matching grants over the program’s three years.

Second round grant awardees:

Adult & Teen Challenge Southern New England Women’s Home

Behavioral Health Innovators (BHI)

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission

Choices

City of Cambridge

City of Fall River 

City of Fitchburg

City of Lawrence

City of Lynn

City of Medford

City of New Bedford

City of Revere

City of Somerville

Community Legal Aid, Inc.

Franklin Regional Council of Governments

Gloucester, Ipswich, Rockport Opioid Abatement Collaborative

Justice Resource Institute d/b/a Program RISE

Latin American Health Alliance

Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Metro Mayors Coalition

Power Forward Inc.

Tapestry Health

The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Town of Arlington

Town of Brookline

Town of Falmouth

Town of Holbrook

Town of Natick

Town of Orange

Town of Winthrop

Troubled Waters Inc d/b/a The Bridge Club of Greater Lowell

The Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) was established in 2020 to receive and administer funds from certain legal settlements relating to allegations brought against companies in connection with the opioid crisis.

Over the next 18 years, Massachusetts anticipates $1 billion to be received through the settlements and used for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.

Of this funding, 40% is allocated for municipalities and 60% directly to the ORRF.