Opioid Response
Holyoke's Opioid Settlement Funds
City Seeks Participants for Citizens Opioid Advisory Committee
The City of Holyoke seeks Holyoke residents (18+ years old) to serve on a volunteer Citizens Opioid Advisory Committee (COAC) overseen by the Office for Community Development to review grant applications and make funding recommendations to the Mayor.
Up to nine members will be selected. Committee members should live, stay, or otherwise have a strong connection to the City as the Committee will be making decisions that affect all Holyokers.
The COAC is an opportunity to actively participate in local government, and to make meaningful decisions regarding the use of opioid litigation settlement funds awarded to the city. Mayor Joshua A. Garcia seeks community members who have personal or lived experience with opioid use or substance use disorders including those actively using opioids, those in recovery, those with family members impacted by opioid use disorder, those who have experienced a loss associated with opioid use disorder and young adults.
COAC members will meet in the evening approximately three times per year depending on the grant cycles. Training and professional staff support will be provided. Committee members will be required to complete the Massachusetts State Ethics Training Program (free, online) prior to serving and comply with applicable City of Holyoke policies and procedures.
Those interested are asked to mail or email a letter of interest and resume (if available) to Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, City of Holyoke, Room 1, 536 Dwight Street, Holyoke MA 01040 or by email to fays@holyoke.org describing:
(1) Your experience with opioid/substance use disorder;
(2) Why you would like to serve on the COAC
(3) Your connections to the City of Holyoke
Other ways to apply will be made available if requested. Apply by October 1, 2025.
For additional information: https://www.holyoke.org/opioid-response/
📢 Community Survey Launch! 📢
Your feedback is essential to us! The City of Holyoke’s Community Needs Assessment Survey on Opioid Use Disorder is now live, and we want to hear from you. This survey is your chance to share your thoughts on opioid use disorder, community needs and priorities. People with lived experience including those currently using, in recovery or who have experienced opioid related loss are encouraged to participate. Your input directly helps us make wise investments, improve community response and better serve everyone!
🗓️ Available: September 3, 2025, to October 3, 2025
🔗 Take the survey here: SURVEY
It only takes 10-15 minutes, and the survey is available in English and Spanish.
Ten survey takers will be randomly selected for prizes and announced at the November 3, 2025 public meeting. Prize winners do not need to be present.
No google or internet access? Call 413-322-5610 and take the survey over the telephone!
Thank you for helping us shape the future of our community!
Help Shape Holyoke's Opioid Response - Join Our Public Forums!
Holyoke, we need YOUR voice! The City of Holyoke is holding public forums to gather community feedback on how to best use funds from opioid lawsuits. This is a crucial opportunity to share your insights on community needs and priorities related to opioid use in our city.
Who should attend? Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate, especially if you've been affected by opioid use – whether you are currently using, in recovery, or have lost a loved one. Your experiences and perspectives are invaluable.
What to expect: These will be interactive, drop-in sessions where you can share your thoughts on various topics related to opioid use in Holyoke.
Choose the session that works for you:
Option 1: Monday, September 8, 2025, from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm EST at the Holyoke Public Library, Community Room (250 Chestnut Street, Holyoke).
Option 2: Monday, September 8, 2025, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm EST at the Council on Aging, Cafeteria (291 Pine Street, Holyoke).
Important details:
Spanish interpretation will be available at both sessions.
Both locations are ADA accessible and conveniently located on PVTA bus routes (plus, enjoy free bus access!)
We'll have snacks and even some door prizes!
For more information, please visit holyoke.org/opioid-response or contact Alicia Zoeller at 413-322-5610 or zoellera@holyoke.org.
Let's work together to build a stronger, healthier Holyoke. We look forward to seeing you there!
City staff continue to review other municipal surveys from around the state and to use the resource map to draft Holyoke's Community Needs Assessment Survey: Opioid Use Disorder. It is anticipated that the survey will be released publicly during the first week of September.
Need Help?
There is a Western MA Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Prevention Services Guide funded by the MA DPH Bureau of Substance Addiction Services that lists many of the services available in the region. It includes a link to the statewide website for treatment bed availability and the statewide HELPLINE. These link are provided as a courtesy by the City of Holyoke.
Resource Mapping
The Office for Community Development will be responsible for the allocation and fiscal management of the program and the Board of Health will be assisting with the community needs assessment.
The City of Holyoke is utilizing the resources available at Care: Massachusetts to ensure that Holyoke's program provides the maximum benefit to the community and is consistent with the Massachusetts State-Subdivision Agreement for Statewide Opioid Settlement
June 2025 Accounting of Settlement Funds
March 2025 Accounting of Settlement Funds
Talking_Points_for_Municipalities
Agencies and Organizations-
Please use the form below to connect with the Office for Community Development.