The Berks Opioid Settlement funds are in place to address detrimental effects of the opioid/overdose crisis in Berks County and to help protect the community from such negative effects in the future. These funds are used to provide services related to Opioid Use Disorders (OUD) and any co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and/or Mental Health (MH) conditions to all communities and residents in Berks County with respect, dignity and equity while supporting culturally appropriate services and programs.
The Berks Opioid Settlement funds are used to address gaps in services, while also maintaining and enhancing established programs and activities. This includes supporting additional services that compliment and/or enhance existing programs while avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort. The funds are also used to provide sustainability for proven and effective services for expiring grant programs. All such funds must be used in accordance with Exhibit E of the National Opioid Settlement. The opioid settlement guidelines do not allow for direct reimbursement to individuals affected by the opioid crisis.
The Council on Chemical Abuse accepts requests from interested community organizations and/or members for grants to provide services in accordance with the National Opioid Settlement. Services must be offered in Berks County and/or provided to Berks County residents. The opioid settlement guidelines do not allow for direct reimbursement to individuals affected by the opioid crisis. Funding requests must offer or provide services in any of the areas as outlined below:
Interested parties seeking Berks Opioid Settlement funds first submit a concept paper outlining the proposed service. Concept papers are not to exceed four (4) pages and must address the following:
Concept papers must be emailed to OpioidSettlement@cocaberks.org.
COCA shall review and respond to all concept papers submitted. If COCA is interested in potentially contracting for the service, the interested party will be requested to submit a more comprehensive and detailed proposal and budget.
The opioid settlement guidelines do not allow for direct reimbursement to individuals affected by the opioid crisis.
All questions regarding this process should be emailed to OpioidSettlement@cocaberks.org.
Below is a list of projects funded to date. For complete information of dates and amounts of Opioid Settlement funds disbursed please click this link: Opioid Settlement Budget Expenditures– Updated 4/9/2024
Funding period: 1/1/23 – Present
Project description: This program is designed to initiate and stabilize inmates at Berks County Jail System with the opioid antagonist Vivitrol prior to being released to the community. Vivitrol helps to block the effects of opioids and is a significant aid. This program was started under a grant from the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency and is a collaborative program between the Berks County Jail and the Treatment Access and Services Center.
Funding period: 9/1/22-6/30/23
Project description: This funding will pay for individuals in need of withdrawal management and/or residential treatment services.
Date of Funding: 4/1/23 to present
Project description: A transportation service designed to assist individuals living in Berks County with opioid use disorders and any co-occurring substance use disorder or mental health conditions who are receiving recovery and other related services. Specifically targeted are those people who do not have access to other types of transportation such as bus service, sufficient rides from family or friends, or their own car. Danny’s Ride is intended to be the ‘last resort’ for transportation in order to maximize the impact of available funding for the program.
Funding period: 3/1/23 to present
Project description: A workforce development program developed and operated by Berks Connections Pretrial Services (BCPS). This program helps those in recovery from opioid use disorders and any co-occurring substance use disorder or mental health conditions to become reliable and successful employees and helps address issues of unemployment and the underemployment.
Funding period: 3/1/23 to present
Project description: A collaboration between Easy Does It of Leesport, PA and Atonement Lutheran Church of Wyomissing, PA to offer certified recovery specialists recovery support services, free of charge, to any Berks County resident who desires it. Both organizations have a long history of assisting those in recovery from a substance use disorder. Easy Does It provides short term housing and peer recovery support services for those in early recovery substance use disorder and Atonement hosts numerous recovery support meetings each week at their location.
Funding period: 3/1/23 to 6/30/23
Project description: Support services directly related to the Student Assistance Program which provides early intervention services in local high schools.
Funding period: 6/1/23 to present
A weekly support group for family and friends of loved ones struggling with substance use disorder. Meetings are held in person at the RISE Center and people can also join remotely on Facebook Live every Tuesday evening.
Funding period: 02/06/23 to present
Project description: Funds to help support those with an Opioid Use Disorder access appropriate licensed residential treatment service
Funding period: 7/1/23 to present
Project description: The use of FDA approved medications to address opioid use disorders. This includes methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, naltrexone/Vivitrol, and naloxone/Narcan.
Funding period: 7/1/23 to present
Project description: Expand the availability of Center of Excellence established and primarily available to individuals covered under Pennsylvania Medical Assistance. This program assists individuals with an OUD by coordinating their care: with finding treatment, medical care, and referral to social service providers and removing barriers for wellness.
Funding period: 9/12/23 to present
Project description: The Use of Contingency Management and Harm Reduction for individuals with an opioid use disorder. Funds to be used for appropriate comprehensive training in these two areas as well as the resources for incentives to be used with clients receiving contingency management model of treatment.
Funding period: 9/1/23 to present
Project description: The use of an FDA Authorized medical device known as the Masimo Bridge™ Device which increases successful completion of withdrawal from opioids and increases the successful transition from illicit opioid use to a prescribed and medically managed Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program.
Funding period: 9/12/23 to present
Project description: The establishment of an Equine Therapy program at Bethany Christian Services of Pennsylvania for pregnant and post-partum women. This project will enable pregnant/post-partum women struggling with addiction to process and heal from past trauma through a modality that has been successful for many who have not responded to traditional therapy.
Funding period: 9/12/23 to present
Project description: Provide support for the Medical Fellow program at Caron Treatment Center offered in conjunction with Tower Health. The goal of the program is to expand the number of community physicians who are skilled in addiction medicine. Opioid Settlement funds support certain education, training and related materials, licensing fees and other ancillary expenses related to the project.
Funding period: 9/12/23 to present
Project description: This education program provided by Caron Treatment Center target both school-aged youth (5-19) impacted by a loved one’s substance use disorder as well as the child-serving professionals who support them.
Funding period: 9/12/23 to present
Project description: Targeted education provided by Caron Treatment Center on the increased risk student athletes face related to substance use, including concerns regarding injury and opiate use.
Funding period: 9/12/23 to present
Project description: The Project PEACE Youth Coalition offered by the Community Prevention Partnership of Berks County will provide structured mentoring and leadership opportunities for youth in the Reading School District Middle Schools and High Schools. This is achieved by engaging youth in an effort to increase awareness of the dangers of substance use, decrease drug use and reduce overdoses. This program has been operating for 10 years under a federal grant which will expire on September 30, 2023.
Funding period: 9/12/23 to present
Project description: Provide resources for the Goodknights Club House, to establish Certified Recovery Specialist services for individuals residing at their recovery house.
Funding period: 9/12/23 to present
Project description: Peer-to-Peer and Family-to-Family education support groups for individuals and families suffering from a co-occurring OUD and mental health condition offered by the Berks County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The groups provide mutual support and shared positive experience, compassion and reinforcement from people who understand the impact of opioid use and mental illness.
Funding period: September 2023
Project description: The mission of the YLC is to build resilient communities by empowering youth to make informed decisions about substance use. Through innovative prevention programs, peer support, and advocacy, the YLC seeks to empower youth to make informed decisions about substance use.
Funding period: November/December 2023
Project description: The use of Opioid Settlement Funds to help offset the cost for necessary renovations to the Recovery House for Drug Court participants located at the YMCA of Reading and Berks County.
Funding period: October through December 2023
Project description: Campaign to raise awareness of the expiration of previously distributed Narcan provided by COCA. Messaging will also encourage and inform people how to obtain a free Narcan kit.
Funding period: 11/01/23 – 06/30/23
Project description: Support for the publication of the SOS Berks twice yearly publication of the Response Magazine. This twice yearly publication focuses on overdose, Opioid Use Disorders and other substance use related topics.
Funding period: 08/01/23 – 06/30/24
Project description: – Utilize the local Spanish periodical – Palo – to raise awareness in the Spanish Speaking community regarding Opioid Use Disorders and how to access local resources. Incorporate at least two of the Response articles in the monthly Palo Spanish publication.
Funding period: April 2024
Project description: Funding made available to help offset the cost of a one day conference for youth and local service providers focusing on opioid and other substance use, overdose as well resiliency, trauma, mindfulness. Presented by the Amos Lemon Burkart Foundation
Funding period: 1/9/24 to present
Project description: Case management and house management services provided by the Treatment Access and Services Center at the Drug Court Recovery House and the Women Recovery House located at the YMCA of Reading and Berks County. Existing funding and Opioid Settlement funds are used to support this project.
Funding period: 1/9/24 to present
Project description: The provision of Creating Lasting Family Connections, an evidence-based substance use prevention program for youth and parents, by Walk It Out Recovery. This will program target the Latino Community.
Funding period: 1/9/24 to present
Project description: Provide funds to engage a part-time coordinator for the newly formed Mortality Review Team. This team will consist of local stakeholders who will review overdoses and suicides to ascertain any gaps in local services. Opioid Settlement funds will be used with other existing local monies to support this position.
For questions or concerns please contact OpioidSettlement@cocaberks.org.
