Future Stories Fund

The Future Stories Fund aims to invest in the health and well-being of Lewis County residents. The opioid overdose epidemic is an ongoing public health crisis that deeply affects individuals, their families, friends, co-workers, employers, and our community overall. For too many years, too many of our community members have died from drug overdoses and poisonings, those who need help often can’t get it, and the well-being of future generations is under threat. Those who die have lost the opportunity to build a future story and to positively contribute to our community. Other lives are deeply impacted by the loss, creating multigenerational trauma and potential future losses of life, and productivity that negatively affects our community for decades to come.

The Lewis County Community Services Board believes that in order for individuals and our community to have a chance at a positive future story, we need work together to help each other build that better future. The Future Stories Fund will leverage the compassion and support that is already so prevalent in our community and bring hope and healing to those in need, by

• Saving lives
• Reducing the impact of opioids and opioid use disorder on the people of Lewis County
• Enabling Lewis County residents to envision and develop a positive future story
• Enhancing opportunities that bring purpose and meaning to individuals’ lives
• Strengthening our whole community

In 2018, Lewis County, New York filed a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies and drug distributors over their aggressive and fraudulent marketing of prescription opioid painkillers that fueled a drug overdose epidemic in the county and throughout the nation.

Lewis County received approximately $300,000 in “accelerated” payments from both Federal lawsuits and State Abatement (OASAS) funds, with an anticipated annual allocation of $55,000 for approximately 16 years. Lewis County Community Services will work with OASAS, the federal government and pharmaceutical companies to (as it stands) provide $55,000 worth of grants on an annual basis.

The Community Services Board believes that to reduce drug use and overdose in our community, we must prioritize prevention, treatment and recovery. The objectives for the Future Stories Funding include:

• Support organizations/entities of all sizes and origins in Lewis County in combating the effects of the opioid overdose epidemic
• Encourage new and innovative solutions to mitigating the opioid overdose epidemic
• Support efforts to discourage or prevent opioid use initiation and the misuse of opioids
• Reduce negative consequences associated with drug use
• Reduce barriers to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD)
• Providing support/resources for individuals and families dealing with the effects of the opioid crisis

• Minimum amount per award | $8,000
• Maximum amount per award | $55,000

• Non-profits (501c3)
• Municipalities
• Schools
• Healthcare institutions
• For-profit businesses
• Government entities

• August 13, 2024 | Application Opens
• September 6, 2024 | Application Closes
• September 25 – 27, 2024 | Awards Announced
• October 1, 2024 – September 31, 2025 | Program Implementation

The community provided input on how best to use funds distributed to the County from recent Opioid Settlements via a survey administered May 1 to May 31 and conversations with community leaders and stakeholders. Based on the feedback received, the Community Services Board has prioritized supporting innovative programs which address any of the following areas*:

*Please note: programs listed are not comprehensive, and applications are not limited to these suggestions. However, all proposals must meet the eligibility requirements in Schedule C.

1. Support efforts to discourage or prevent opioid use initiation and the misuse of opioids
This category emphasizes upstream strategies that target the root causes of drug use and overdose by strengthening community institutions and providing opportunities for youth and families to engage in activities that bring purpose and meaning to their lives. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Create a mentorship program to strengthen the resilience and social emotional skills of youth and adolescents.
• Engage non-profits and faith-based community as a system to support prevention.
• Develop new or strengthen existing school-based and/or youth-focused programs or strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness in promoting social emotional learning and preventing drug use initiative and misuse.
• Support community-based education or intervention services for families, youth and adolescents at risk for drug use and mental health problems.
• Support greater access to mental health services and supports for young people (e.g. Handle with Care initiative).
• Educate community members to recognize the signs of an overdose.
• Train organizations and providers in trauma-informed approaches to care.
• Implement strategies to prevent substance misuse and promote the health and well-being of older adults.

2. Support people in treatment for and recovery from Opioid Use Disorder and co-occurring substance use disorder/mental health (SUD/MH) conditions.
This category includes strategies to increase access to treatment and recovery resources within the County and neighboring communities. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Provide or support transportation to treatment or recovery programs or services (e.g. Rides for Recovery).
• Provide access to housing for people with OUD and co-occurring SUD/MH conditions (e.g. Oxford House).
• Support or expand community-based recovery support programs (e.g. Recovery Coaches or Centers).
• Support family members of individuals with OUD.
• Support stigma reduction efforts regarding treatment and support for persons with OUD.
• Support OUD recovery efforts by assisting with food, housing or transportation.
• Provide employment training or educational services for persons in treatment for or recovery from OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
• Support workplaces in their efforts to become recovery friendly.
• Support the mental health, substance use and opioid use disorder services workforce.
• Increase availability of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and/or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.
• Implement medication support or supervision initiatives.
• Increase access to harm reduction resources.

Proposals must demonstrate how the program or intervention would address the opioid crisis within Lewis County and support the community at the organizational and/or individual level.

The proposed project must fall within the approved uses as defined in Schedule C, and have a focus population within Lewis County. Projects that are innovative or new to the community are encouraged. Proposals that demonstrate collaboration among non-profit and/or faith-based organizations are preferred.