The Rhode Island Foundation seeks to address the health and healthcare needs of Rhode Islanders by managing and distributing funds from generous donors. These funds are designated for specific medical conditions, aiming to support nonprofit organizations working within these areas to improve health outcomes and address health inequities and disparities across the state.
The Opioid Settlement Impact and Recovery Grants program, resulting from Rhode Island's participation in the national opioid settlement, aims to utilize over $200 million obtained through litigation for opioid abatement. Its key objective is to expand access to opioid use disorder prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services. In partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the program focuses specifically on:
Trauma Supports: Allocating $1,000,000 to fund trauma-informed programs targeting Rhode Island first responders. These programs are expected to offer support for trauma resulting from the opioid crisis, facilitating mental health well-being and aiding in their recovery and continuation of work.
Family Supports: Designating $450,000 to assist organizations that support or constitute families affected by drug use, recovery, or overdose deaths. The goal is to implement empowering and supportive programs that leverage the role of family support in the recovery process from substance use disorders.
Basic Needs Support: Providing $250,000 for organizations assisting individuals and families impacted by substance or opioid use, or those at risk of overdose. The funding aims to supply essential items and services, ranging from care packages to legal assistance, to mitigate the immediate challenges faced by those affected by the opioid crisis.
This grant program operates with the vision of making a significant impact on the opioid crisis in Rhode Island by supporting tailored, innovative solutions targeting the wellbeing of individuals directly or indirectly affected by opioid use.