Opioid Response

Training Video "How to Access City of Holyoke Opioid Litigation Settlement Funds- An Application Workshop" is Now Available!

Training Video

This video is a virtual workshop presented by the speaker, Alicia Zoeller, from the City of Holyoke's Office for Community Development. The workshop provides information on how organizations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and other entities can apply to access Holyoke's opioid litigation settlement funds.

The key points of the workshop are:

• Background on the Funds: The funds come from national settlement agreements between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and companies in the opioid industry whose actions contributed to the opioid overdose crisis. Massachusetts expects to receive over $1 billion through 2028, with 40% going to participating municipalities like Holyoke and 60% to the statewide trust fund.
• Holyoke's Allocation: For the Fiscal Year 2026 application cycle, Holyoke is making up to $1 million available. The city anticipates receiving a total of approximately $3.6 million through 2039.
• Eligible Activities: The funds must be used for "eligible activities" listed in the Massachusetts State Subdivision Agreement, which includes seven specific focus areas:
  1. Opioid Use Disorder treatment.
  2. Support people in treatment and recovery.
  3. Connections to care.
  4. Harm reduction.
  5. Address the needs of criminal justice-involved persons.
  6. Support pregnant or parenting women and their families.
  7. Prevent the misuse of opioids and implement prevention education.
• Beneficiaries: Funding is intended to help Holyoke mitigate the harms of the overdose epidemic, with a strong preference given to agencies and programs serving Holyoke residents and those with ties to Holyoke. The program is not income-based, but if a proposal targets "low and moderate-income households," the city will apply the FY2025 Community Development Block Grant income limits.
• Application Process and Timeline:
  • The city uses a public allocation process involving multiple committees (Opioid Citizens Advisory Committee, Board of Health Commissioners, City Council DGR Subcommittee, and full City Council) to make recommendations to the Mayor.
  • The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released on December 1, 2025.
  • Applications must be submitted by January 9, 2026, at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
  • The Mayor is anticipated to make final allocations by February 6, 2026, with agreements starting by early March 2026.
• Organization Readiness: To apply, organizations must be registered with SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number. They must also be current with Massachusetts Secretary of State filings, have financial documents (audits, tax filings) in order, be able to operate on a reimbursable basis, and be current on all City of Holyoke taxes, fees, and liens.
• Funding Term: Awards are anticipated to be given on a three-year basis, with the expectation that activities can be completed and funds fully expended by June 30, 2029.

The speaker encourages applicants to read all application guidance carefully and notes that some materials must be submitted electronically while others require hard copy delivery. Contact information for the speaker and Ashley, the special programs manager, is provided at the end of the video.

Update:  Date Change for Community Needs Assessment & Workshop Announcement

The community meeting to present the findings of the community needs assessment is postponed from November 3, 2025 to a date to be determined.  Additional consultations and information gathering continues.   Thanks to the community partners and members who have been engaged so far and shared their perspectives.

An updated calendar will be posted shortly.   The grant cycle will not be delayed.

A recorded "How to Access Opioid Funds In Holyoke- An Application Workshop" will be posted to the Holyoke Opioid Response webpage on November 17th.   This brief workshop will present an overview of the application process, how agencies and organizations can apply for funds, what materials will be required with the applications and a review of the state's requirements for use of opioid litigation 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/

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

Care_Mass_Quick_Guide_to_OAFs

Talking_Points_for_Municipalities

Agencies and Organizations-

Please use the form below to connect with the Office for Community Development.