North Attleborough residents, as well as nonprofits, sober homes, and treatment centers that serve North Attleborough residents, can now apply for an Opioid Impact Grant online via the Town’s Opioid Task Force page.
Residents should use the Individual Grant Application, while non-profits, sober homes, and treatment centers should use the Organization Grant Application to apply for funds.
Applicants may receive grant funds up to $3,125 per individual or $6,250 for non-profits, sober homes, and treatment centers. Grant funds must be used for recovery, treatment, harm reduction, or prevention. Acceptable uses include sober home living expenses, treatment costs, programming, staffing costs, and more.
The Opioid Impact Grant program was launched last year to address the opioid impact in town. Grants totaling $50,000 were distributed to residents, St. Vincent DePaul Prisoner Re-Entry Program, New Life Sober Living, Grit & Grace Sober Home for Women, Hope Street Sober Living and New Hope.
Overall, 14 North Attleborough residents received grant funding to support housing expenses. Of those 14 residents, 13 have maintained sobriety and 12 are employed.
“From my perspective, you (the town) have been one of the only people I’ve encountered who has truly thought outside the box when it comes to how this funding can be used to create meaningful impact,” said Kristin Silva, manager of Grace and Grit Sober Living. “Rather than approaching the abatement funds in a purely administrative or abstract way, you have found ways to ensure the dollars reach the places where they can genuinely change lives.”
Added David Fretias, manager of New Life Sober Living, “One thing the town has done particularly well is recognizing that recovery housing plays a vital role in the continuum of care. By working with sober homes and supporting initiatives that help residents maintain stable housing while rebuilding their lives, the town is directly contributing to long-term recovery outcomes.”
For questions on how to apply for a grant, please contact Human Services Coordinator Stephen Berdos at 508-699-0100 ext. 2515 or email sberdos@nattleboro.com.