Thurston County to release RFP for $2M pooled opioid-settlement grants

Thurston County public-health staff said the county will release a request for proposals on May 6 for community grants funded through pooled opioid-settlement money, intended to expand treatment access, medications for opioid use disorder and services for justice-involved individuals.

Dr. Jen Fry, director of Public Health & Social Services, and staff described a county contribution of $500,000 per calendar year that will be pooled with funding from Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater to create a combined $2 million one-time funding opportunity. Staff said proposals will be due May 31, recommendations will go to the regularly scheduled June 3 Opioid Abatement Council meeting, and the county aims to begin contracts by July 1.

Commissioners praised staff for completing an interlocal agreement and the RFP process after a lengthy lead-up. Commissioner Rachel Grant, who serves on the regional group, was singled out for leadership on coordinating partners. Public-health staff said the pool will solicit proposals for expanded access to medications for opioid use disorder, other treatment connections to care, and services targeting criminal-justice involved individuals.

Staff said epidemiologists and partner agencies (Medic One, coroners’ offices mentioned in prior presentations) are compiling outcome data and that the county will return with more analysis on trends in emergency responses and overdose deaths to inform funding priorities.

The board approved moving the pooled funding item forward at the work session; the RFP timeline and award process were described as subject to the Abatement Council’s recommendation and final board action.

The county’s next procedural step is to release the RFP on May 6 and solicit proposals by May 31; recommendations are expected at the June 3 Abatement Council meeting.