Opioid settlement funds are helping Santa Cruz County address the opioid crisis and support community health. Across the country, pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies are paying billions of dollars to state and local governments through settlements related to their role in the opioid epidemic. Santa Cruz County is expected to receive approximately $29 million over 16 years. Since 2024, more than $1.6 million in opioid settlement funds has been awarded locally to support programs and services that prevent opioid misuse, connect people to treatment and recovery services, and reduce the harms of opioid use.

This page provides updates on opioid settlement fund activities, Substance Use Disorder Services resources, and local data and trends on fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses.

 
 

Opioid Settlement Funds Community Grant Program


We are excited to announce the second-round of awardees of the Santa Cruz County Opioid Settlement Funds Community Grant Program. The new round of awards support a coordinated, countywide approach to reducing the harms associated with substance use disorder—particularly opioid addiction—while strengthening pathways to recovery for individuals and families in Santa Cruz County. Together, the funded projects expand residential treatment capacity, improve access to housing and case management for people in recovery, enhance care for newborns and families affected by opioid use, and strengthen community-based prevention and harm reduction efforts. 

The grantees are: 

Organization: Award Amount: Program:
New Life Community Services $201,358 To support New Life Watsonville, which will be a new 14-bed addiction treatment facility in Watsonville, providing residential, bilingual addiction treatment services.
Housing Matters $170,000 To hire a Substance Use Specialist to help secure permanent housing for persons with a history of opioid use disorder in Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz Community Health $135,64 For treatment of newborns with Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, and to establish a multi-agency collaborative network to provide seamless support for high-risk families transitioning from hospital to home care Health Improvement.
Health Improvement Parnerships of Santa Cruz County $85,000 For SafeRx leading learning collaboratives, a conference, and advisory groups that focus on medication assisted treatment, perinatal treatment, adolescent and young adult treatment, and community education.
Siena House $80,000 For a full-time Case Manager to provide consistent support and resource navigation for women and their children, and to expand therapy services that support coping skills, relapse prevention and emotional regulation.
Homeless Garden Project $60,000 To continue to provide transitional employment opportunities to individuals enrolled in recovery care at partner programs and to pilot trainings that build staff capacity.
Stepping Up Santa Cruz $48,000 To hire a Harm Reduction Case Manager.
Barrios Unidos Santa Cruz $30,000 For opioid use prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and youth leadership work 

A total of $810,000 will be available for distribution in 2026, covering a performance period through June 2027.

 

Non-profit organization awardees announced 09/30/2024:

Organization: Award Amount: Program:
Encompass Community Services $97,448 For the Zero Overdose program
Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County (HIPSCC) $218,917 For the Adolescent & Young Adult Substance Use Disorder Learning Collaborative, Medication Assisted Therapy Advisory Group, and education and technical assistance for community organizations.
Homeless Garden Project (HGP) $47,341 For the Employment for People in Recovery from Opioid Addiction program
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance $50,000 For the Opioid Awareness Initiative and youth outreach work led by Empower Watsonville
Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos (SCBU) $50,00 For their youth-focused Opioid Treatment and Prevention Program
Santa Cruz Community Health (SCCH) $286,294 For adolescent Opioid Use Disorder screening, prevention, treatment and recovery, and the Substance Use Disorder Learning Collaborative
Siena House $60,000 To expand residential and aftercare program capacity for women at risk of or experiencing Substance Abuse Disorders

A total of $810,000 will be available for distribution in Fiscal Year 2024-2025, covering a performance period through June 2026.

Trends in fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses over time in Santa Cruz County
Opioid Overdose Clusters

Map - Trends in fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses over time in Santa Cruz County<br /> Opioid Overdose Clusters

Overdose clusters from January 1 - March 31, 2024 (Santa Cruz County Emergency Medical Services)

Total suspected overdoses: 73
Total fatal overdoses: 14
Narcan (Naloxone) administered: 73

Suspected Fatal and Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses per Month

Suspected Fatal and Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses per Month

Suspected overdoses per month from January 1, 2021 - April 2024 (Santa Cruz County Emergency Medical Services)

Harm Reduction Services

Treatment for Addiction, Recovery Support Groups and Hotlines

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