Thurston County to issue RFP for pooled $2 million opioid-settlement community grants

Thurston County commissioners authorized the Public Health & Social Services Department to issue a 2026 request for proposals for pooled opioid-settlement community grants, part of a coordinated regional funding effort.

Director Jen Freyheit told the board the county approved $500,000 within the 2026–27 budget to pool with Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, producing a combined $2,000,000 one-time fund for services that expand access to medications for opioid use disorder, increase treatment and care connections, and address needs of justice-involved individuals. The RFP will be released the day after the meeting, proposals will be due May 31, and recommendations will go to the Opioid Abatement Council on June 3 with contracts beginning July 1.

Commissioners praised staff and program leads for coordination across jurisdictions; one commissioner noted a local decline in overdose deaths and emergency responses and asked staff to identify the strategies driving that improvement when evaluating proposals. The board approved the authorization by voice vote.