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The Rhode Island Foundation, in partnership with Governor Dan McKee’s Governor’s Overdose Task Force, has awarded nearly $2.5 million in grants to 19 nonprofits on the front lines of addressing the state's opioid crisis.

“My administration is pleased to partner with the Rhode Island Foundation on this important grant program that supports our mutual goal of saving lives,” said Governor Dan McKee.

The Foundation received 59 applications for funding. The grants are fully funded with proceeds from the state’s Opioid Settlement Agreement.

“The consequences of this tragic epidemic are felt in every corner of our state. We are glad to play a role in ensuring this crucial funding is put to work building a stronger and healthier Rhode Island for everyone,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s President and CEO.

According to Rhode Island Department of Health fatal overdose data, 329 people lost their lives to accidental overdoses during 2024, the second consecutive year the number of deaths has declined. Overall, overdose deaths have dropped 25% since 2022, falling to levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These data indicate that Rhode Island is showing notable progress in the Governor’s 2030 Action Plan goal to reduce overdose deaths by 30%,” said Richard Charest, secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

The announcement comes during the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Recovery Month, which promotes and supports new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices.

“September is a time to honor the strength, resilience and unshakeable spirit of those who are in recovery from substance use conditions,” said Secretary Charest.

The Foundation made grants in four categories: Trauma Supports; Individual, Family and Community Recovery Supports and Capital; Youth Community-based Prevention; and Emerging Issues.

Trauma Supports

These grants will fund mental health counseling for First Responders, including law enforcement, emergency medical personnel and peer responders; in order to help them cope with the emotional impact of their on-the-job exposure to the crisis. The following nonprofits will share $625,000 in grants.

• 2nd Act Org Inc. in Providence
• Family Service of Rhode Island in Providence
• Strategic Prevention Partnerships in Portsmouth

Family Service of Rhode Island received $200,000 to reduce the emotional and psychological toll experienced by First Responders related to opioid overdoses and deaths. The Safeguarding Those Who Serve initiative will expand access to confidential, trauma-informed behavioral health care for law enforcement officers, emergency medical service providers, firefighters and their families.

“First Responders face disproportionate exposure to trauma, death and crisis, which contributes to elevated rates of PTSD, anxiety and burnout. Despite these risks, many do not seek support due to stigma, fears around confidentiality and limited access to services tailored to their unique needs and culture,” said CEO Margaret Holland McDuff. By providing confidential counseling outside their workplaces and trauma-informed-supports for First Responder families, we can safeguard the wellbeing of those who protect Rhode Island’s communities.”

Individual, Family and Community Recovery Supports and Capital

These grants will support programming by organizations made up of or serving individuals, families and communities affected by the opioid crisis. The following nonprofits will share $850,000 in grants.

• Centro de Innovación Mujer Latina in Providence
• Clinica Esperanza in Providence
• Families Reaching Into Each New Day in Warwick
• Justice Assistance in Cranston
• Mathewson Street United Methodist Church in Providence
• Sojourner House in Providence
• Thundermist Health Center in West Warwick
• Wellbeing Collaborative in Wyoming 

Sojourner House received $175,000 to expand its Peer Recovery Support for Victims of Abuse program, which increases recovery capital among survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking who are living with or recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD). The grant will fund peer recovery support, basic needs assistance and holistic family-centered services for up to 60 individuals and their children over a two-year period and engage over 10,000 people in community-focused programming.

“OUD and domestic violence are closely linked in complex and mutually reinforcing ways. Individuals, especially women, with OUD are at higher risk of being in abusive relationships due to financial dependency, stigma, and social isolation. Survivors of domestic violence may turn to opioids to self-medicate for physical pain, trauma, anxiety, depression, or PTSD resulting from their abuse” said Vanessa Volz, president and CEO. “At Sojourner House, we use a model which recognizes that some negative behaviors are coping adaptations. Our responsibility is to help victims minimize any negative impacts of their circumstances and behaviors, to avoid re-traumatizing them and to support their journey toward self-empowerment and wellbeing.”

Youth Community-Based Prevention

These grants will support evidence-based or evidence-informed community-based trauma supports, opioid prevention services and leadership opportunities for Rhode Island youth and young adults. The following nonprofits will share $700,000 in grants.

• Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council of R.I. in Warwick
• Children and Youth Cabinet in Providence
• The Providence Center in Providence 

The Children and Youth Cabinet received $300,000 to decrease the incidence of opioid use among young people and to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in opioid use and overdose by implementing a tiered prevention approach, by educating their caretakers, teachers and peers in trauma-informed practice and mental health; and by ensuring youth, families and community residents are integrally involved as experts in designing, selecting and implementing prevention practices.

“Our vision of success is to reimagine the future of substance use prevention for Rhode Island’s youth. This vision holds community residents at its core. Residents decide, adapt and lead the effective implementation of culturally specific, evidence-based programming for youth and therefore, achieve behavioral health equity and reduce opioid use disorder and mental health issues,” said Rebecca Boxx, executive director.

Emerging Issues

These grants will respond to developing issues in the overdose epidemic. Work can include outreach to private locations and targeted outreach to populations that are disproportionately impacted or marginalized, including communities of color, LGTBQ+ communities and older Rhode Islanders. The following nonprofits will share $300,000 in funding. 

• AIDS Care Ocean State in Providence
• Foster Forward in East Providence
• Healthcentric Advisors in Providence
• Refuge Development Center in Providence
• Rhode Island Public Health Institute in Providence

Healthcentric Advisors received $75,000 to develop a pilot initiative to equip 10-15 nursing homes with the tools, training and partnerships needed to deliver effective care to residents diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The work will focus on developing and implementing evidence-informed OUD protocols; training and certification of OUD-recovery ready nursing homes; and workshops for cross-sector collaboration and sharing experiences.

“Rhode Island’s nursing homes are increasingly caring for a growing demographic, residents living with or recovering from OUD who need informed, compassionate, and sustained care. Yet many nursing facilities remain unprepared and hesitant to admit individuals with known OUD diagnoses. Neighboring states like Massachusetts and Connecticut have initiated efforts to build capacity in long-term care. While Rhode Island has made strides in advanced treatment in hospitals and community settings, nursing homes remain an overlooked segment of the care continuum,” said H. John Keimig, Healthcentric’s president and CEO.

The funding comes from the settlements secured by Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. Rhode Island has executed both national and Rhode Island specific opioid settlements with manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies and consultants that perpetuated the opioid epidemic, leading to approximately $315 million in funding and life-saving medication to support state and local efforts to address Rhode Island’s opioid crisis.

“We are beginning to see real results from the $315 million that my Office has recovered from those that created and perpetuated the opioid epidemic,” said Attorney General Neronha. “And that’s because each and every recovered dollar goes directly towards treating and preventing substance use disorder in Rhode Island. These funds are strategically allocated to organizations and agencies best equipped to help those who suffer from this disease, as well as spearhead prevention efforts. From expanding the state’s in-patient and out-patient treatment capacity, to driving down overdose deaths, and everything in between, those who are struggling are being met with real, life-changing, often life-saving support. Our holistic approach here is helping affected Rhode Islanders live full lives, while saving Rhode Island families from the devastation of losing loved ones. We must, and will, continue this important work.”

Pursuant to the various settlement agreements, all the funds are required to be directed to opioid abatement – including expanding access to opioid use disorder prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery. Rhode Island’s prevention priorities are to prevent overdoses, overdose deaths and opioid misuse by identifying, developing and evaluating multi-level strategies and interventions.

This is the third round of grants funded by the proceeds of the settlements. Since 2023, the Foundation has awarded $7.3 million to dozens of nonprofit organizations to address opioid use, treatment and prevention.