MILWAUKEE – Today, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced his proposal to utilize more than $9 million in opioid settlement funds for seven initiatives aimed at reducing opioid use disorder, expanding treatment and prevention services, and saving lives.
This investment marks a major step forward in the County’s multi-year strategy to address the opioid crisis and advance Milwaukee County’s strategic plan to achieve health equity.
“My administration continues to deploy opioid settlement dollars across Milwaukee County. These upstream investments are proving to be effective, but we know there’s more work to do in expanding substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery efforts,” said County Executive Crowley. “Through these proven initiatives and by working together, we will keep leading the way to change the lives of individuals affected by substance use disorder and reduce the likelihood of overdose-related fatalities in our community – because lives depend on it.”
The Milwaukee County Board Committee on Finance unanimously approved Crowley’s proposal during today’s meeting. The full Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors will consider the proposal during next week’s meeting.
The following projects were proposed by County Executive Crowley’s administration for implementation during fiscal years 2026-2028:
- Aging and Disabilities Services Opioid Prevention Project: Focuses on outreach to older adults and individuals with disabilities through door-to-door canvassing, harm reduction supply distribution, and engagement with senior living facilities.
- Community Regranting Program: Provides funding to community-based organizations partnering with DHHS to deliver prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services to historically underserved populations.
- Prevention Integration Initiative: Builds internal capacity at DHHS to coordinate prevention education, implement universal screening tools, and support all opioid settlement-funded projects through a dedicated Prevention Integration Manager.
- Harm Reduction Supplies Distribution: Expands access to lifesaving materials through harm reduction vending machines and an online ordering system, reaching high-overdose areas across the County.
- Medical Examiner’s Office Staffing: Supports critical positions including a forensic pathologist, medicolegal death investigator, and forensic chemist to improve turnaround time for investigations and data-driven decision-making.
- SUD Residential Room & Board Funding: Covers room and board for individuals receiving substance use disorder treatment in expanded residential facilities—ensuring those 87 additional beds remain accessible to those in need.
- Harm Reduction Data Analytics: Enhances public data dashboards and explores health co-factors tied to opioid use by integrating EMS and hospital data to inform prevention and treatment strategies.
“This funding will allow DHHS to continue the life-saving work that began with the initial round of opioid settlement funds,” said Shakita LaGrant-McClain, Executive Director, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services. “We are seeing promising trends and look forward to continuing our prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery work, including ensuring residents have access to harm reduction supplies, targeted community outreach, and collaboration with community partners.”
“The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is committed to transparency and collaborative data sharing to tell the story of this particular crisis,” said Cassandra Libal, Director, Milwaukee County OEM. “OEM puts forward robust analytics that can be utilized by a wide variety of audiences and we continue to refine and update those visual products to enhance them while guiding policy recommendations and strategy at the same time.”
Milwaukee County will receive $111 million over 18 years – representing the largest amount awarded to any local government in Wisconsin. In total, $34 million has been allocated thus far through three cohorts of funded projects. These projects are aimed at breaking cycles of addiction, advancing racial equity, and improving community health outcomes across the county. The proposed projects are part of the County’s long-term strategy to address systemic gaps, support evidence-based practices, and reduce health disparities. These project recommendations are informed by input from community stakeholders, service providers, and individuals with lived experience.
Learn more about Milwaukee County’s efforts to combat the opioid epidemic HERE.
