The application portal for the third distribution of opioid settlement funds has been opened in Suffolk County. The funding will be awarded to organizations that provide critical services to combat the county’s opioid epidemic.
“The opioid epidemic has impacted families and communities across Suffolk County for far too long. These settlement funds are helping us expand access to treatment, strengthen recovery services, support prevention efforts, and save lives,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. “I encourage eligible organizations to apply so we can continue investing in programs that make a real difference for Suffolk County residents.”
Beginning in 2016, Suffolk County initiated legal action against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies for their role in fueling the opioid crisis. Suffolk County was the first municipality in New York State to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for the devastating impact of the epidemic on local communities. The County reached its first settlement in 2021, with additional settlements following in subsequent years.
“The opioid crisis is an issue that can affect anyone in our community,” said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. “These resources allow us to strengthen our network of providers and ensure that prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services remain available to those who need them most.”
The county has already completed two rounds of funding distributions. Through those efforts, more than $57 million has been awarded to 50 organizations supporting 76 programs throughout Suffolk County. Fifty percent of the funding was directed toward treatment services, with additional investments supporting prevention, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives.
Applications will undergo a comprehensive review process and funding will be awarded to organizations that provide services related to opioid prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. Funds may not be used to reimburse prior expenses. Applications will be reviewed by the Suffolk County Opioid Settlement Fund Selection Panel, which is comprised of County officials and a community advocate.
The application portal opened on June 1, and will remain open through July 6. Eligible applicants must maintain a significant presence in Suffolk County and provide services to Suffolk residents. All awarded contracts will begin on January 1, 2027, with contract terms varying based on the scope of the project. Each applicant will receive written notification regarding their award status.
Many nonprofits expressed their gratitude for their funding, saying it helped them in many ways. For example, Pronto Long Island, Inc. used the monies to provide opioid education, naloxone (NARCAN®) training, wellness programming, food assistance, and other community-based services. “This investment has allowed us to reach vulnerable populations in meaningful ways while helping to build a healthier and more resilient community,” said Pronto Long Island Chief Operating Officer Merlisa Fairley.
Felicia Scocozza, LMSW, Executive Director, Riverhead
Community Awareness Program (CAP) expanded its evidence-based “Too Good for Drugs” program to two additional elementary schools, reaching approximately 200 fourth-grade students each year. Participants demonstrated measurable improvements in their understanding of risk factors and social-emotional skills.
CAP staff also became certified naloxone trainers, providing overdose prevention training and kits to 286 individuals while collecting nearly 15,000 pounds of unwanted medication through expanded take-back initiatives. The funding also supported public awareness campaigns, generating more than 1.3 million impressions and the distribution of more than 3,000 medication safety and disposal products. Overall, this investment enabled CAP to directly serve more than 2,500 additional community members who otherwise may not have been reached, according to Executive Director Felicia Scocozza, LMSW.
Community Action for Social Justice (CASJ) used the funding to expand operating hours, including evenings and weekends, and establish a crisis mobilization team that responds rapidly to overdose clusters with naloxone distribution and connections to care. The funding also supported its partnership with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office to provide overdose prevention training and naloxone to Sheriff’s deputies and individuals incarcerated in the Yaphank and Riverhead correctional facilities. “[Those] populations face an elevated risk of overdose,” said Executive Director Tina Wolf.
The application can be found by clicking here. Information about previous awards and recipients is available through the Suffolk County Opioid Settlement Fund Dashboard, which can be found here.