 |
AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
5.A.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 07/13/2026
Agenda Item:
Resolution approving Opioid Remediation Grant to Connecting Through Courage for evidence-based family support programming and community stigma reduction education related to outcomes for individuals and families in the Mankato community.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution.
Summary:
The city received an Opioid Remediation Grant application from Connecting Through Courage requesting $25,000. Through evidence-based education, family support programming and community training, the organization works to increase understanding of addiction as a chronic, treatable health condition while reducing the shame and barriers that often prevent people from seeking help. Connecting Through Courage provides stigma-reduction training for community organizations, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, employers and schools.
The budget to support the program includes: CRAFT/ITC Program Facilitation and Staffing $7,000; Participation Scholarships and Materials $8,000; Community Training Development and Delivery $4,000; Education Materials and Printing $2,000; Outreach and Community Engagement $2,000; and Administrative and Program Coordination $2,000.
The grant falls under B.12. and K of the guidelines for Opioid Remediation uses, which states:
B. Supporting people in treatment and recovery.
12. Support stigma reduction efforts regarding treatment and support for persons with OUD, including reducing the stigma on effective treatment.
K. Training. In addition to the training referred to throughout this document, support training to abate the opioid epidemic through activities, programs, or strategies that may include, but are not limited to, those that:
1. Provide funding for staff training or networking programs and services to improve the capability of government, community, and not-for-profit entities to abate the opioid crisis.
2. Support infrastructure and staffing for collaborative cross-system coordination to prevent opioid misuse, prevent overdoses, and treat those with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions, or implement other strategies to abate the opioid epidemic described in this opioid abatement strategy list (e.g., health care, primary care, pharmacies, PDMPs, etc.).
A grant review panel consisting of three staff members reviewed the application and recommended approval of a $12,500 grant allocation. With the organization being new and most of the programming in the early stages, and the current capacity largely dependent on one person, with another still in training, the committee agreed to a smaller pilot award to support the initiative from July through December 2026. This allows the organization to continue implementation with the opportunity to apply for another grant in 2027.
The budget to support the program includes: CRAFT/ITC Program Facilitation and Staffing $7,000; Participation Scholarships and Materials $8,000; Community Training Development and Delivery $4,000; Education Materials and Printing $2,000; Outreach and Community Engagement $2,000; and Administrative and Program Coordination $2,000.
The grant falls under B.12. and K of the guidelines for Opioid Remediation uses, which states:
B. Supporting people in treatment and recovery.
12. Support stigma reduction efforts regarding treatment and support for persons with OUD, including reducing the stigma on effective treatment.
K. Training. In addition to the training referred to throughout this document, support training to abate the opioid epidemic through activities, programs, or strategies that may include, but are not limited to, those that:
1. Provide funding for staff training or networking programs and services to improve the capability of government, community, and not-for-profit entities to abate the opioid crisis.
2. Support infrastructure and staffing for collaborative cross-system coordination to prevent opioid misuse, prevent overdoses, and treat those with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions, or implement other strategies to abate the opioid epidemic described in this opioid abatement strategy list (e.g., health care, primary care, pharmacies, PDMPs, etc.).
A grant review panel consisting of three staff members reviewed the application and recommended approval of a $12,500 grant allocation. With the organization being new and most of the programming in the early stages, and the current capacity largely dependent on one person, with another still in training, the committee agreed to a smaller pilot award to support the initiative from July through December 2026. This allows the organization to continue implementation with the opportunity to apply for another grant in 2027.