Gaston County Opioid Settlements Funding Application Prevent the Misuse of Opioids

Gaston County requests proposals for prevention programs and services to address the opioid epidemic in our community.Gaston County will receive more than $40 million over 18 years as part of the National Opioid Settlements that will bring critical support to help communities harmed by the opioid epidemic. Gaston County leaders, healthcare partners, treatment providers, stakeholders, those with lived experience, and others helped develop the County’s initial opioid settlement spending plan. As part of the spending plan, $400,000 will be invested in prevention programs under Exhibit B, Strategy G, as defined by the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the State and local governments. The MOA directs how opioid funds are distributed and used across the state. The $400,000 for prevention programs will be allocated through a competitive community application process. The County is currently accepting submissions for proposals that address the following identified needs in our community: Fund media campaigns to prevent opioid misuse. Corrective advertising or affirmative public education campaigns based on evidence. Public education relating to drug disposal. Drug take-back disposal or destruction programs. Engage non-profits and faith-based communities as systems to support prevention. School-based or youth-focused programs or strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing drug misuse and seem likely to be effective in preventing the uptake and use of opioids.Create or support community-based education or intervention services for families, youth, and adolescents at risk for OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions. Support greater access to mental health services and supports for young people, including services and supports provided by school nurses, behavioral health workers or other school staff, to address mental health needs in young people that (when not properly addressed) increase the risk of opioid or other drug misuse.Funding period: January 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. Proposals must meet a minimum threshold of $20,000 for the funding period. Applicants should review the full text of the NC MOA and additional information at the NC MOA Resource Center.Additional note for proposals to expand an organization’s current programming Please explain your organization’s funding structure and why you are unable to meet the current demand. Core PrinciplesGaston County is committed to investing opioid settlement funds in programs that:Address health disparitiesAvoid duplication of effortDemonstrate collective impact by leveraging other funding sourcesConsider sustainability in their proposalDemonstrate potential for strong impact and outcomesFollow a trauma-informed modelReduce stigma Support equitable outcomes for historically marginalized populationsUse the evidence-based harm reduction approachExpand programs with successful outcomes