Saline County, Salina opioid settlement grant applications move to review after 2026 recipients report spending about $15,600 of $50,000
Applications for the next round of opioid settlement grants from Saline County and the City of Salina closed Oct. 16, and a review committee is scheduled to score them in early November, according to the county.
Approved applications are to be presented to the county commission in mid-November, according to the schedule the county announced in August. Award packets are to go out in December, and contracts begin Jan. 1, 2027.
The program is open to nonprofit organizations that have operated in Saline County for at least 24 consecutive months before receiving funding, the county said. Applications must address at least one of four priorities identified in the 2025 Saline County Opioid Community Needs Assessment: improving access to treatment and services; expanding prevention, education and awareness; reducing stigma toward people who use drugs; and strengthening support for people in recovery.
Two organizations received grants for 2026, according to a county update released Aug. 19.
Build A Pro was awarded $16,000 to create a part-time specialist position to help Saline County employers become "recovery ready," so that people in recovery can be hired, get workplace support and move into stable jobs or apprenticeships. The county reported Build A Pro used $3,417 in the first quarter and $3,315 in the second quarter, a total of $6,732. The first-quarter work included developing employer training with CKF Addiction Treatment and the national group Jobs for the Future and launching an employer survey, according to the update.
St. Francis, in partnership with Ashby House, was awarded $34,000 to place a counselor and limited psychiatric support on-site at Ashby House, giving residents immediate access to substance use assessments, counseling and early stabilization services. The county reported $644.75 used in the first quarter and $8,256.54 in the second, a total of $8,901.29, for salary, benefits, program expenses and software supporting opioid use disorder treatment staff at Ashby House.
Together, the two recipients reported using $15,633.29 of the $50,000 awarded through the first half of the year, according to the county figures.
Salina311 reached out to the county for information on how many 2027 applications were received, how much money is available and whether the review committee's meeting is open to the public.
