Opioid Settlement Steering Committee

Contact

Community Services Department

219 E Paw Paw Street, Suite 201

Paw Paw MI 49079

Phone: 269.657.8200 X 1073

Administered by the Community Services Department

Van Buren County Administration Building
219 E Paw Paw Street, Suite 201
Paw Paw, MI 49079

CommunityServices@VanBurenCountyMI.gov

269-657-8200 ext. 1074

Location	Van Buren County Administration Building Board of Commissioners' Chambers 219 E Paw Paw Street, Suite 204 Paw Paw, MI 49079
Time	9:00 AM
Schedule	Quarterly – 1st Wednesday every 3 months

About the Committee

The Van Buren County Opioid Settlement Steering Committee is a specialized advisory group comprised of community stakeholders, county leadership, and health professionals. The committee was established to guide the strategic allocation and distribution of funds received from nationwide opioid settlement agreements.

Our members represent a cross-section of community health, courts systems, mental health services, finance, and law enforcement, ensuring a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach to addressing substance use impacts in our county. Administrative support for the committee is provided by the Van Buren County Community Services Department.

Our work includes:

Reviewing and evaluating local community needs related to opioid abatement and support services
Developing strategic recommendations for the allocation and expenditure of opioid settlement funds
Collaborating with community partners, healthcare providers, and local agencies on impactful mitigation initiatives
Monitoring program outcomes and ensuring transparent fund administration

Our Mission & Community Impact

The nationwide opioid epidemic has deeply impacted families and communities across the country, including Van Buren County. The funds secured through these settlement agreements represent a critical, unique opportunity to invest in evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and long-term recovery support.

Through careful planning and community-focused governance, the committee works to ensure that every dollar is directed toward meaningful programs that heal, protect, and support Van Buren County residents.

Funding is provided through the Emerging Needs Grant and our Van Buren County Opioid Settlement Grants which operates on a two-year funding cycle.

Van Buren County Opioid Settlement Grants

The Committee’s largest opportunity to fund initiatives to address the impacts of the opioid epidemic on our communities and community members.

Funded projects must serve Van Buren County residents, reach the people most affected by opioid use disorder and co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions, and address barriers such as stigma, affordability, access, and transportation. High-priority focus areas are:

Transitional and sober living housing
Recovery support services
Peer specialists
Transportation assistance
Community education and stigma reduction
Access to medications for opioid use disorder, particularly in rural or primary care settings

Grants are anticipated to be offered every other year in the fall, in even-numbered years, through a competitive request for proposals open to nonprofits and public agencies. Applications are screened for eligibility, scored, and reviewed by the Committee. Funding favors local, evidence-based work with measurable outcomes that does not duplicate existing services. Awards are paid on a reimbursement basis, and recipients report quarterly.

Emerging Needs Grant

The Emerging Needs Grant Program provides small, accessible grants to local organizations carrying out opioid remediation work in Van Buren County. It puts a portion of the County’s opioid settlement funds toward community-level efforts, with a straightforward, year-round application process.

At a glance

Award amount: Up to $25,000 per organization each fiscal year
Availability: Rolling and continuous, until each year’s funds are awarded
Who can apply: Nonprofits, local governments and County departments, schools, healthcare and social service providers, and community, faith-based, and law enforcement partners serving County residents (individuals are not eligible; a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor may apply on behalf of others)
To reach an agenda: Submit at least 10 business days before a Committee meeting

Funded projects must align with Exhibit E of the National Opioid Settlement Agreement and address needs identified in the County’s 2024 Community Assessment. The program policy below lists all eligible activities.

Application forms and the full policy are available in the document portal below. The Committee reviews applications at its regular meetings. Reach out to the Community Services Department with any questions or for help preparing an application.

Document Library

Emerging Needs Grant

NameDate

Emerging Needs Grant· 2 items

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Final Report

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Grant Application

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Board History & Milestones

Established in March 2023, the Van Buren County Opioid Settlement Steering Committee has continually worked wisely utilizing settlement funds in our county and region. Our work includes:

National Opioid Settlement Funds: Through Committee guidance, the funds received from settlements are managed to address the impact of the opioid epidemic on our communities.
County Opioid Settlement Grants: FY 2025 – 2026 grant cycle funded two projects for a total of $210,000.
- Specialty Courts, $155,000. This supports treatment and recovery for people in Van Buren County’s specialty courts, which served 213 participants in FY2024. The funds cover staff training ($30,000), housing support ($50,000), a transportation van ($65,000), and GED opportunities ($10,000).
- Van Buren ISD Youth Initiative, $55,000. This funds a school-based speaker series, with pre- and post-program student surveys to measure results.
Emerging Needs Grant: Establishing in 2026, the Emerging Needs Grant provides small grants to address pressing community needs in addressing the opioid epidemic.

Connect With Us & Resources

Document Library: Access meeting materials, informational materials, and more through the document portal below.
Connect with Staff: Reach out to talk to our staff Van Buren County Community Services Department | CommunityServices@VanBurenCountyMI.gov or call 269-657-8200 ext. 1074

Document Library