2024 The Women’s Fund Grant

The opioid remediation grant program, launched by the City of Naperville, offers reimbursement-based grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, with a total of $100,000 approved for the initiative. The program's core mission is to combat the opioid crisis locally by funding interventions that align with Approved Abatement Programs under settlement restrictions. This initiative reflects a strategic priority of the city government to directly address a critical public health issue and foster community well-being and safety. The funding mechanism requires grantees to accrue costs before seeking reimbursement. The primary target beneficiaries of this strategic grant program are Naperville residents directly or indirectly affected by opioid misuse. This includes individuals struggling with opioid addiction, their families, and the wider community impacted by the social and health consequences of the crisis. The defined impact goals are comprehensive: to reduce opioid overdoses, expand access to essential treatment and recovery services, prevent opioid misuse from starting, and promote effective harm reduction strategies. The program's theory of change is rooted in supporting evidence-based, comprehensive interventions to create a healthier and safer environment for all residents. The grant program prioritizes a broad range of services that qualify as Approved Abatement Programs. Key focus areas include the expansion of distribution for Naloxone and other FDA-approved overdose reversal drugs, as well as providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for uninsured or underinsured individuals. Additionally, the grants aim to expand overall treatment and recovery support services, such as residential care, intensive outpatient treatment, and recovery housing. Specific priority populations and interventions are also highlighted. These include support for screening and treatment services for pregnant and postpartum women, the establishment of warm hand-off programs for individuals beginning recovery, and the implementation of evidence-based education within school-based and youth-focused programs to prevent opioid misuse. Further priorities encompass syringe service programs, community drug disposal initiatives, and broader public education campaigns to enhance community awareness. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in both opioid overdose fatalities and non-fatal overdoses, a significant increase in the number of individuals receiving effective opioid treatment and recovery support, and a verifiable decrease in overall opioid misuse rates, particularly among the youth population. The program anticipates an expansion of access to life-saving Naloxone and MAT, along with improved support for vulnerable groups like pregnant and postpartum women. Measurable results will be rigorously tracked through specific metrics to ensure accountability and assess effectiveness. Key metrics include the number of Naloxone kits distributed, the number of individuals served by various treatment programs, participation rates in educational initiatives, and the overall volume of medications safely disposed of through community programs. These measurable results are central to confirming the efficacy of the city's strategic investment in mitigating the opioid crisis.