By Reed Anfinson and Horizon Public Health
Horizon Public Health is seeking grant applications in each of its five counties from entities that address treatment, prevention, recovery, education, and harm reduction needs related to opioid drug addiction.
Along with Stevens County, the other four counties in Horizon’s region are Douglas, Grant, Pope, and Traverse counties.
“Funding is part of Minnesota’s share of a national opioid settlement, providing long-term resources to help communities respond to the ongoing impacts of substance use on individuals, families, and overall community health,” Horizon said in a news release.
“Priority will be given to projects that focus on prevention and education, expand access to treatment and recovery support, strengthen families and communities, improve connections to services, and demonstrate measurable, lasting impact,” it said.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, healthcare providers, schools, government entities, faith-based organizations, and community-based groups serving residents in one or more of the five counties.
Applicants may apply to multiple counties using one application. Each independently county chooses the projects it will fund.
The application deadline is June 15, at 4:30 p.m… All applications will undergo a competitive review process.
How to Apply
For full application details, eligibility requirements, and funding availability, visit:
www.horizonphmn.gov
Contact for Questions
Amy Reineke, Horizon Public Health
320-762-3079, amyr@horizonphmn.gov
Opioid fund source and purpose
Opioid painkillers include those containing morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Opioid painkillers not only relieve pain but can also give a person a euphoric feeling of well-being – increasing their addictive qualities.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be prescribed by a doctor for treating severe pain typically associated with advanced cancer or some surgeries. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. While a prescription for the drug is required, it is also made and sold illegally.
Minnesota is set to receive $633 million in opioid lawsuit settlement funds over an 18-year period, with some of those funds already paid out.
Minnesota is allocating 75% of the funds to local counties and cities and 25% to the state for remediation efforts dealing with the impacts of opioid addiction. To make best use of the funds, many counties and cities have opted to pool their funds through their regional public health agencies.
Funding available as of May 2026 for each of Horizon’s counties:
County Opioid funds available
Stevens: $71,138
Douglas: $274,671
Grant: $52,222
Pope: $128,796
Traverse: $51,951
To help it assess needs and the proposed project applications for grant funds, Horizon Public Health established county-level Opioid Advisory Councils and Task Forces in Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, and Traverse counties.
The councils and task forces advise county boards and make recommendations on grant applications.
Opioid grant funds use in Stevens County
2024
Stevens Community Medical Center will expand local treatment capacity by training providers in addiction medicine, trauma therapies (EMDR and Brainspotting), and licensing a new alcohol and drug counselor, ensuring evidence-based care, reduced stigma, and sustainable OUD treatment access in rural west-central Minnesota. Funding Award: $1,584
Horizon Public Health, Prevention & Early Intervention, Title: Opioid Media Campaign – Funding Award: $11,856 for a county-wide communications campaign using digital media, materials, and community events to prevent substance misuse, reduce stigma, delay initiation, and promote local prevention and treatment resources
2025
Stevens Ambulance, Harm Reduction, Title: Secure Access for Field Emergency Medications. Funding Award: $9,206. The Stevens County Ambulance Service project will use opioid settlement funds to purchase secure narcotic safes and ventilator accessories, improving medication security, patient safety, and overdose response capacity in rural EMS operations.
RUSC Kinship, Prevention & Early Intervention, Title: NEAR Presentations. Funding Award: $720 to expand mentoring, outreach, and family support programs to prevent substance misuse, reduce stigma, and strengthen protective factors for youth and families impacted by the opioid epidemic.
Vivie, Prevention & Early Intervention, Title: PEARLS Program. Funding Award: $7,950. PEARLS is an evidence-based, community-delivered program that equips older adults with tools to manage depression and build healthier lives while expanding access to mental health care in underserved and rural communities through trained coaches, interns, and bilingual support.
Car Care, Treatment & Recovery – Transportation for Opioid Affected Individuals. Funding Award: $35,000 to support individuals in recovery by repairing vehicles, donating vehicles, partnering with treatment centers to identify needs, and offering mentorship and training through the Spark Plug Gang.
