Opioid Settlement Committee and Abatement Funds
Due to the extensive damage and loss of life caused by the opioid crisis that was brought on by the unethical and over-prescribing of opioid medications, the state of Tennessee will be receiving over 1 billion dollars over 18 years in settlement funds from several large corporations. Anderson County has been allocated a portion of these funds, which will be received in annual payments. The county has established the Anderson County Opioid Settlement Committee to oversee the spending of these funds to ensure they are used to remediate the opioid crisis and save lives.
The committee invites community organizations to apply for these funds annually.
The selection process for funding will utilize a competitive process. The number of awards will depend on the funds available for annual allocation. The amount of funds available, the dates of application submissions, and awards will differ annually. The funds available for the 2024 funding cycle will be $425,159.28, and proposals will be accepted between January 1, 2025 and January 31, 2025.
Applications will be accepted from any organization serving Anderson County residents, but will only be distributed to those that provide services that fall within the approved remediation uses set forth by the TN Opioid Abatement Council. If an applying organization is located outside of Anderson County, funds will only be awarded to that organization if they are used to serve Anderson County residents. The Anderson County Opioid Settlement Committee will dispense funds in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations that counties must adhere to when allocating funds to community organizations.
Committee Members
Shelly Vandagriff, Chair, Commissioner D-3
Denise Palmer, Commissioner D-2
Michael Foster, Commissioner D-2
Josh Anderson, Commissioner D-3
Tim Isbel, Commissioner D-4
Sabra Beauchamp, Commissioner D-7
Please email all questions to:
The Anderson County Opioid Settlement Committee will review and score all applications received. The committee will consider scores, along with other factors, to make funding decisions. These factors may include county priorities, community needs, funds available, cost-effectiveness, and federal and state regulations. Funding received by Anderson County varies year to year. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to only apply for one-year funding, not recurring expenses. The maximum amount an organization can apply for is $60,000 per project. More than one application may be submitted by organizations. The Anderson County Mayor and Anderson County Commission will have final approval of any funding recommendations provided by the Opioid Settlement Committee.
Notice of award is expected to occur by March 31, 2025. Following the notice of award, the organizations will be contacted to discuss the contract process and specific metrics that must be reported back to the county. The funding period will be 12 months in duration beginning April 1, 2025, unless an alternative project start date is agreed upon by the awardee and Anderson County Finance Director.
Please note that all guidelines, procedures, dates and requirements are subject to change based on the action of the Opioid Settlement Committee and County Commission. Applicants will be notified in writing via email if any such changes shall occur.
All questions pertaining to the application process must to be emailed to opioidfunds@andersoncountytn.com so that a written record is established between Anderson County Government and all applicants.
Important Dates:
January 1-31, 2025 – Application will be available for submissions
February 1-March 30, 2025 – Applications will be reviewed
March 31, 2025-Award Annoucement
April 1, 2025-Contract Execution
March 31, 2026 – Projects must be completed
Proposals are due by January 31, 2025 and must be submitted online. CLICK HERE FOR THE OPIOID FUNDS APPLICATION.
Applicants will be required to submit a budget, work plan, annual operating budget, state certifications, licensure, or accreditation if applicable, and letters of support from any project partners or collaborators if applicable.
Requirements if Awarded Funding
Organizations awarded funding are required to:
- Utilize funds within the defined funding period as agreed upon in the contract. If those funds are not used as agreed in the contract the applicant may:
- Request an extension to use the funds past the funding period, or
- Request an amendment to their current contract to use the remaining funds for additional strategies, or
- Return any remaining funds to Anderson County Government at the end of the funding period.
- Ensure utilization of funds supplements, rather than supplants, existing funding
- Ensure all funds are used in alignment with remediation uses approved by the TN Opioid Abatement Council as described above
- Ensure funds are not used for administrative or indirect costs
- Provide data on program outputs, outcomes, impact, and effectiveness as determined by the Anderson County Opioid Settlement Committee
- Complete and submit required reports to the county
Reporting Requirements
An annual report will be required following the project’s close.