Applications open for Barren County opioid settlement grants
The county is expected to continue receiving settlement payments through 2040, although the amount and timing of future payments can vary.
GLASGOW, Ky. — Barren County is making at least $100,000 in opioid settlement funds available for local programs, with applications now open.
The Barren County Opioid Settlement Committee approved the first round of funding unanimously during its Sept. 14 meeting. Applications are due Oct. 15.
Organizations can apply online through the county’s website.
The funding is the latest step in a process that began earlier this year as county officials worked to determine how to distribute the money.
Who can apply
Organizations and groups working in opioid prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery are eligible to apply.
The county says funding can support programs addressing substance use disorders, polysubstance use and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Proposals should serve people in Barren County and focus on individuals and communities most affected by opioid use disorder and related conditions.
The county also requires proposed activities to use evidence-based strategies or promising practices and comply with state and federal requirements governing opioid settlement funds.
Applicants must provide information about their organization and proposed project, the population they intend to serve, evidence supporting the need for the program, how success will be measured and how the program could continue after the funding period.
How the process began
Barren County began receiving opioid settlement payments in August 2023. The county received three deposits totaling $114,423.04 that month.
As of March, the county had not spent any of its settlement money and held $495,866.87, including accrued interest, according to Barren County Treasurer Amanda Steger.
The county is expected to continue receiving settlement payments through 2040, although the amount and timing of future payments can vary.
Allyson Dix
In June, county officials appointed Bethany Steenbergen as the citizen-at-large member of the committee created to help guide spending decisions.
The committee includes the county judge/executive, sheriff, jailer, county attorney, two magistrates and one citizen-at-large.
Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd previously said the committee would review funding requests and make recommendations on how the county’s opioid settlement money should be allocated.
At the time, Byrd said the county was taking its time to develop a process.
“We are taking our time,” Byrd said, “[because] we want to make sure we do it the right way and make the right decisions.”
Where the county needs resources
The committee spent part of its first meeting assessing Barren County’s prevention, treatment and recovery resources.
The county’s recovery readiness scores were:
- Prevention: 64 out of 100
- Treatment: 42 out of 100
- Recovery support: 43 out of 100
The scores are intended to measure the county’s readiness and available resources in each area.
Steenbergen previously said the assessment could help the committee determine where funding is most needed.
“If we’re more ready in one area, less funds would go towards that area, and more funds go to areas where we are lacking the most,” Steenbergen said.
The assessment was part of the committee’s broader effort to understand local needs before distributing settlement funds.
What happens next
The committee voted Sept. 14 to make at least $100,000 available in the first round.
The committee also voted unanimously not to add any new requirements to the application process.
The number of grants awarded will depend on the amount of money available for the annual allocation and the proposals received.
The committee is scheduled to review applications Oct. 19 and interview finalists Nov. 16. Grants are expected to be awarded Dec. 14.
Brennan Crain
A special-called meeting is also scheduled for Nov. 2.
If awarded, the funding period will run from Dec. 14, 2026, through Dec. 13, 2027.
Questions about the grant opportunity can be directed to the Barren County Judge Executive’s Office at cje@barrecountyky.gov.
The committee’s regular meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. at the Barren County Government Center, 117 N. Public Square, Glasgow.
The bottom line
Barren County is now accepting applications for at least $100,000 in opioid settlement funding. Local organizations working in prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery can apply by Oct. 15. Grants are expected to be awarded Dec. 14, with funding beginning that day.
