FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/2/2024
For further information, contact:
Susan Scully Petroni
City of Framingham Public Information Officer
spetroni@framinghamma.gov
508-782-8629
City of Framingham Grants 3 Organizations a Total of $50,000 From Opioid Settlement Fund
FRAMINGHAM – The City of Framingham has awarded three grants totaling $50,000 from the opioid settlement fund.
MetroWest Care Connection and the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center were both awarded $20,000
The South Middlesex Opportunity Council was awarded $10,000.
“The City of Framingham is pleased to announce the beneficiaries of the primary round of opioid settlement funds,” said City of Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky. “After a comprehensive evaluation of the most impactful use of these resources, the City has awarded $50,000 to three community organizations. These grants will enable these organizations to improve their harm reduction and recovery services for those impacted by opioid use in our community.”
Data released in December 2023 show that in 2022 there were 2,359 total confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts, largely attributed to the presence of fentanyl in the drug supply.
The statewide overdose death rate in 2022 was 3% higher than 2021 and represents the most fatal opioid-related overdoses ever recorded in the Commonwealth. The deaths were disproportionally higher in Black, Native American, and Hispanic populations.
“Releasing the first round of settlement fund grant awards begins a process for Framingham to support local stakeholders at the front lines of this crisis. Settlement funds will increase capacity of these organizations to support Framingham families and help minimize the devastating effects that have impacted so many. We will evaluate outcomes of these grants and continue to seek community feedback regarding future distribution,” said Framingham Health Director William Murphy.
The Kennedy Community Health Center in Framingham will use the $20,000 for its newly-launched Office Based Addiction Treatment practice in Framingham.
“Kennedy Community Health is grateful for the continued partnership with the City of Framingham and the dedication of resources to respond to the community’s growing substance use needs. As a community health center serving the Central and MetroWest regions of Massachusetts, we’ve seen how a lack of resources and substance use disorder support can negatively impact the community as a whole and have made it a priority to provide compassionate, multi-disciplinary, evidence-based and person-centered substance use care,” said Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center CEO & President Steve Kerrigan. “This funding will help to expand the scope of services we can provide at our Framingham site to ensure that those seeking services have access to a full spectrum of support in their recovery journey.”
“We are thankful to the City of Framingham for their support of MetroWest Care Connection. This funding will enable our community care hub to continue linking community members and their families affected by the opioid crisis to the right supports for their unique needs through innovative and collaborative partnerships with local human service providers, healthcare systems, and municipal departments,” said MetroWest Care Connection Project Director Shannon Ahern.
SMOC will use its $10,000 for its client assistance program. This grant is renewable for two additional years based on the program’s success.
The City of Framingham established an Opioid Task Force in 2023 for the sole purpose of expending the Opioid Settlement Recovery Funds.
Over the course of 18 years, the City will be the recipient of $1.2 million in settlement funds, providing Framingham with the opportunity to invest significantly in addressing the impact of the Opioid epidemic in Framingham.
The City is also receiving settlement funds from lawsuits against pharmacies and smaller pharmaceutical firms, which will become part of the City’s opioid response. State guidelines for the expenditure of these recovery funds require municipalities to focus efforts on substance-use prevention, harm reduction, opioid treatment, and/or recovery support.
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