Somerset County officials presented grant checks from opioid settlement funds to 10 local nonprofit programs through a newly created Community Solutions small‑grant program, county staff said at a public meeting.

The grants support grassroots efforts across the county, funding projects such as trauma‑informed advocacy for children of parents with substance use disorders, naloxone distribution on a countywide "Save a Life Day," substance‑use disorder (SUD) evaluations for youth and research into substance use among older adults.

Lisa, a county staff member who introduced the awards, said, "Our office launched the Community Solutions small grant program using opioid settlement funds to support grassroots efforts addressing addiction and recovery." She added that this county was the first in New Jersey to create a pathway for this kind of direct, community‑level funding and that other counties are beginning to replicate the model.

Representatives from the recipient organizations described how they will use the money. Sheila Breeding, chair of Safe and Sound Somerset's board, said the agency serves survivors of domestic and sexual violence and that the grant recognizes the intersection between trauma, domestic violence and substance misuse. "We have found that there is an interlaced trauma of domestic violence [and] substance abuse, and we are supremely appreciative of the recognition of these co‑working issues," Breeding said.

Tracy Heisler, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, said CASA has invested in trauma‑informed care for more than a decade and will use the funding to support children affected by parental opiate use. "Understanding those dynamics can help us better support our parents and their recovery and can help us better sustain and support our children," Heisler said.

Feeding Hands founder Lois Bennett said the group's grant will help address food insecurity and connect residents to services beyond food. Empower Somerset Executive Director Kristen Shero said her agency will use funds to connect isolated older adults with teens for prevention and social connection, partnering with Temple Beth El's refugee committee and local senior communities.

David Martinek, founder of Recovery Friendly New Jersey, said his grant will support research into older‑adult substance use and the role of peer‑recovery specialists. "This is exactly what was needed," Martinek said, noting his organization received 501(c)(3) status in November 2024 and called the county program a model for innovation.

Tri County Care Management Organization CEO James Bridal said his agency will expand SUD evaluations for Somerset County youth and fund an "ABC prevention adventure" program for teen boys. Jerry Colavecchio of Prevention Resources said funding will support Save a Life Day — a mass naloxone distribution event scheduled for Sept. 25 — noting that organizers handed out about 800 doses of naloxone on the same day last year in Somerset County.

Hunterdon Hope Seekers, in collaboration with Community in Crisis, used its grant to offer a grief, healing and recovery workshop at Raritan Valley Community College in June that drew more than 100 participants and offered continuing education credits. Organizer Charlie Drop said the group recently opened a satellite office in Franklin Township at 873 Hamilton Street and plans a September grand opening.

County staff said the Community Solutions grants were intended to fund small, community‑based projects that address local needs in prevention, treatment, recovery and related supports. The awards were presented at the meeting; checks were handed to representatives who described planned uses for the funds.

Upcoming public events tied to the county's overdose awareness work include Save a Life Day on Sept. 25 and other August events for Overdose Awareness Month listed on the county website.