MARSHALL — Organizations in four southwest Minnesota counties will have an opportunity to help prevent substance misuse in their communities, Southwest Health and Human Services said this week.

Starting this week, SWWHS will be taking applications for a round of opioid settlement grant funding. A total of $400,000 in funding will be available, according to the Opioid Settlement Advisory Council of Lyon, Pipestone, Redwood and Rock Counties.

The funds, which come from a 2021 national settlement between the U.S. government and pharmaceutical companies, will go to help mitigate the harm done by the opioid epidemic, SWHHS said in a news release.

The grant application period runs until May 23. Organizations from Lyon, Pipestone, Redwood and Rock Counties can apply for funding. SWHHS spokespeople said they’re looking for innovative and solution-based proposals to help prevent substance misuse.

This will be the third round of opioid settlement funding available in southwest Minnesota, SWHHS spokespeople said. Funding from previous rounds has gone to a variety of programs to help people recover from addiction, and to prevent substance misuse. As of April 16, a total of $410,095 has already been allocated to community organizations, according to the Opioid Settlement Advisory Council.

The Opioid Settlement Advisory Council said some of the past recipients of settlement funds in southwest Minnesota have included an academic program for licensed alcohol and drug counselors at Minnesota West Community and Technical College; youth prevention curriculums at Pipestone Area Schools and Murray County Central Schools; and increased detox capacity at Project Turnabout. Law enforcement groups, including the Lyon County and Redwood County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Buffalo Ridge Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, have also received settlement funds for K9 detection dogs and narcotic detection equipment.

Completed applications for settlement funding are due by 4:30 p.m. on May 23. SWHHS said priority will be given to applicants who emphasize prevention and raising community awareness about substance misuse. Other funding categories include harm reduction, treatment and recovery, and criminal justice.

Questions about the applications process or funds available can be directed to Kristin Deacon or Jenna Stephenson at opioid.settlementfunding@swhhsmn.gov.