The SouthWEST Opioid Response District (SWORD) Council announced that it has awarded nearly $1 million in community grants to 12 organizations addressing opioid misuse and strengthening community resilience across Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties.
The $996,523.08 in awards, approved at the Oct. 14 SWORD Council meeting, will support programs and services aligned with four priorities: supporting people in treatment and recovery, treating opioid use disorder, addressing the needs of criminal justice involved individuals, and preventing opioid misuse.
The council’s Community Grant program supports organizations working to meet regional needs and strengthen the systems of care available to individuals affected by opioid use disorder.
The 12 awards were selected from 21 applications requesting more than $1.9 million in total.
“Through these grants, the SWORD Council is investing in local solutions that address the many ways opioid misuse affects individuals, families and communities,” Laurel Schafer, SWORD Council chair said. “The funds will help community organizations expand access to recovery support, improve connections to treatment, strengthen services for vulnerable populations and invest in prevention efforts for young people.”
2027 Community Grant Awardees are:
• 22nd Judicial District — $85,085: Pre-trial services for defendants in Montezuma and Dolores counties.
• Axis Health System — $100,000: Staffing support to maintain 24/7 walk-in operations and rapid-access services at the Durango Regional Crisis Center.
• Boys and Girls Club of La Plata County — $25,000: Evidence-informed prevention and youth development programs for young people ages 9-17.
• CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital — $79,997.50: Feasibility study of and partnership with Colorado ROOTS addiction specialists to provide consultations via telehealth, plus patient navigation for transitions from acute care to ongoing treatment.
• Four Doves — $49,500: Low-barrier recovery navigation and long-term stability resources for adults in Dolores and Montezuma counties affected by opioid use disorder.
• Healthy Archuleta — $89,447.60: Support for the Youth Community Learning and Leadership Circle and the Youth Leadership Internship Program which strengthen protective factors against substance misuse among youth.
• Indigenous Wellbriety — $99,990.04: Peer recovery coaching, Talking Circles, outreach, referrals and navigation to treatment and other community resources, prioritizing Native Americans in Montezuma and La Plata counties.
• Manna – The Durango Soup Kitchen — $82,104: Peer-led, comprehensive recovery support program for people with opioid use disorder and co-occurring behavioral health conditions.
• Porch Light Health — $104,918: Expand access to medication-assisted treatment, re-entry transition supports and recovery engagement incentives for individuals with opioid use disorder in correctional settings in La Plata and Montezuma counties.
• Southern Ute Indian Tribe — $82,261.20: Furniture for new recovery housing serving Native Americans, with 12 beds for women and 12 beds for men.
• Team Up — $79,104.74: Support for Youth Councils on Mental Health across the region. Councils address opioid misuse, co-occurring substance use and behavioral health challenges.
• The Piñon Project — $119,115: Outreach and case management for individuals affected by opiate use disorder and experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Montezuma and Dolores counties.
For more information about the SWORD Council and its Community Grant program, contact Laura Warner at sword@region9edd.org or visit www.region9edd.org/sword.
About the SWORD
Council
The SWORD Council formed in 2022 to address the impacts of opioid misuse in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties through strategic investments of opioid settlement funds.
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