OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDING
Cocke County Opioid Abatement Task Force Meeting
April 7, 2026 @ 8:00 A.M.
at Newport Medical Center
435 2nd St.
Newport, TN 37821
Cocke County Opioid funding grant cycle for fiscal year 2026, is open only to programs that Cocke County is currently funding. The grant cycle period will open January 19, 2026 and close February 27, 2026.
Due to the extensive damage and loss of life caused by the opioid crisis that was brought on by the unethical and over-prescribing of opioid medications, the state of Tennessee will be receiving over $1 billion over the next 18 years in settlement funds from several large corporations. The County has established the Cocke County Opioid Abatement Task Force to oversee the spending of these funds to ensure they are used to remediate the opioid crisis and save lives.
Questions about funding may be submitted to opioidsettlement@cockecountytn.gov. All meetings are posted here.
DISCLAIMER: Contacting members of the Task Force with funding requests outside of the formal application process or with questions regarding the process through channels other than the above email address may result in being disqualified from applying.
Q: When will community organizations be able to apply for funds and when will funds be awarded?
A: Applications for fiscal year 2026 will only be considered for programs currently funded by Cocke
County Opioid Abatement funds. Cocke County Opioid Abatement Task Force would like to offer more
time to see how programs currently being funded are abating the Opioid crisis in Cocke County.
The below tentative timeline is currently expected:
■ The application will open on this website on January 19, 2026
■ Submissions will be accepted through February 27, 2026
■ Funds will be dispersed starting July 1, 2026
Q: What is the maximum funding period for projects?
A: Funding will be awarded for projects 12-months in duration beginning July 1, 2026
and closing June 30, 2027
Q: How will the funds be dispersed to agencies?
A: Funds will be dispersed on a reimbursement basis.
Q: If awarded, can agencies apply for funds in subsequent years?
A: Yes, agencies may apply for funds over multiple years. However, if funds are not spent appropriately or there are no outcomes reported, subsequent awards will likely be denied. All agencies would be required to submit an application annually.
Q: How much money will be available?
A: The amount of funds available will change annually due to varying timelines of settlement distribution.
Q: What type of projects will be approved?
A: Per the settlement agreements, all funds MUST be spent on approved core strategies, listed below. A comprehensive list of programs and approved uses that fall under these strategies can be found here.
Core strategies:
● Naloxone or other FDA-approved drugs to reverse opioid overdoses
● Medication-assisted Treatment (MAT) distribution and other opioid-related treatment
● Address the needs of pregnant and postpartum women
● Expanding treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
● Expansion of warm hand-off programs and recovery services
● Treatment for incarcerated population
● Prevention programs
● Expanding syringe service programs
● Evidence-based data collection and research analyzing the effectiveness of the abatement strategies within the state
Q: What type of projects will NOT be approved?
A: ○ Anything that is not on the approved remediation list
○ Requests to reimburse past or future personal expenses accrued from the opioid epidemic
○ Projects that serve individuals who are not residents of Cocke County
Q: Can funds be used for salaries and benefits?
A: Yes, funds can be used for project staffing if 100% of staff time is spent on approved remediation uses.
Q: Can funds be used for indirect costs?
A: No, we will not award funds for indirect costs.
Q: Can funds be used for capital projects?
A: Yes, but 100% of the capital expenses must be used to support approved remediation uses.
Q: How will projects be selected for funding?
A: The Task Force will use county level data to identify priorities and goals that will guide the selection of projects.
Q: Will there be any reporting requirements for agencies that receive funds?
A: Yes, quarterly and annual reports will be required so the Task Force can track how the funds were spent and what outcomes resulted.
Application deadline no later than 4:00 P.M. on February 27, 2026
Submit application, budget template, and work plan to this email address: opioidsettlement@cockecountytn.gov