Twenty local nonprofits that have been working to address the opioid epidemic will share $1.3 million in grants, the Rhode Island Foundation announced today.
The funding comes from the settlement money awarded to the state in the opioid settlement agreement.
“As we tackle the overdose crisis, we remain united in our efforts to save and enhance lives,” Governor Dan McKee said. “We are grateful to the Rhode Island Foundation for their partnership as we work together to better the lives of those impacted by this epidemic.”
The grants will be divided among three categories: basic needs support, family support, and trauma support.
Basic needs grants will help provide for the basic needs of individuals and families impacted by substances, including food, clothing, bedding, and transportation.
Family support grants will help programs that are designed to support families of people impacted by substances, including counseling, training, and support groups.
Trauma support grants will target innovative and trauma-informed services that are designed to help first responders and peer harm reduction specialists provide support for people in early recovery from overdoses.
“People who are living with the consequences of this tragic epidemic on a daily basis are under tremendous psychological, financial and emotional stress,” David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s President and CEO, said. “As the state’s community foundation, we are pleased to be a partner in ensuring that this crucial funding is put to work getting Rhode Islanders the help they need to lead healthy lives.”
The Rhode Island Foundation and the McKee Administration’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services collaborated on the distribution of the grants.
To learn more about the work of the 20 recipients, click here.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
