Johnston County Public Health is putting fresh opioid settlement money on the table and asking local organizations to help decide how it gets spent. A new competitive grant program will let community groups apply to use a slice of the county’s opioid settlement funds, with priority given to evidence-based employment and reentry programs. Applicants can seek up to $200,000 over a two-year period.
The county has listed the grant opportunity on its finance “Bids & RFPs” page and also promoted it through its official Facebook account, where the announcement first went up. The finance posting labels the notice as “Opioid Settlement Funds” and sets an April 2, 2026 proposal deadline, according to the Johnston County Finance Department.
Deadlines, Details And What The Grants Will Cover
The full request for proposals, dated Feb. 19, lays out a tight timeline. Notices of intent are due March 6, with two informational sessions scheduled for March 13 and March 18 and a written-questions cutoff of March 11. Final proposals have to arrive by April 2 at 3 p.m., according to the county RFP. The document explains that the county will look at funding employment-related services such as job training, placement and supports, along with reentry programs that connect people leaving jail or prison to addiction treatment and health care. Projects must rely on evidence-based practices, serve only Johnston County residents, and may request up to $200,000 spread over the two-year grant term, per the Johnston County Public Health RFP.
Who Can Apply And How To Get The Full Packet
The opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations, hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, private behavioral health providers and other community groups. Collaborative proposals are allowed, and one partner must agree to serve as the fiscal agent. The finance listing names Mary Banks as the contact for the solicitation, and the Johnston County Public Health site provides her office address and phone number for program questions. Groups that submit a notice of intent will receive the full RFP package by email and can sign up for the informational sessions through the county’s RFP portal, according to the county pages.
How To Submit Your Proposal
For questions or to turn in a notice of intent, applicants are directed to email [email protected] or reach out to the Public Health office in Smithfield. The county finance portal and Public Health webpages include contact information and the RFP listing where organizations can request the complete packet and download required templates and budget forms. Prospective applicants are urged to review all attachments and the budget template carefully before they file anything.
Local Stakes And Settlement Dollars
The RFP lists Johnston County’s share of the nationwide opioid settlements as $15,103,500 to be paid out over 18 years. County commissioners have approved $450,000 to launch multi-year pilot projects and have proposed another $200,000 in next year’s budget. The solicitation also points to local impact numbers, including 41 overdose deaths and 158 emergency department overdose visits in 2024, as part of the case for investing settlement money in proven strategies. The county frames the grant process as a way to build local capacity and drive down overdose deaths and emergency department visits across the community.
Rules, Reporting And State Oversight
Spending from the settlements is governed by North Carolina’s Memorandum of Agreement and the terms of the national deals, which require that the money go only to approved, evidence-based abatement strategies and that it be tracked in a transparent way. Under the state MOA, a portion of the settlement funds goes to state-level efforts while most of it flows directly to counties and qualifying municipalities. Public health experts and policy analysts have stressed that strong reporting and program evaluation will be critical to making sure the dollars actually reduce harm. More information on allocation and oversight is available at NC Opioid Settlements and in analysis from Milbank Quarterly.
