May 2026

What's inside this month's email?

• Help Us Improve the Program!
• Potential Applicant Resources
• Priority Strategy Highlight – Integrated Care
• Opioid Abatement Staff Spotlight

We want to hear from you! As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the opioid abatement grant program, we are looking for feedback from potential applicants about their experience with the grant application process, including any barriers, challenges, or suggestions for improvement. Your input will help us strengthen and improve the program for future applicants. Email your feedback to: oab@oag.ok.gov.

Interested in applying for an opioid abatement grant?

The next funding opportunity will open up in fall 2026 to eligible public schools, institutions of higher education, and career techs. Below are helpful resources available to potential applicants interested in applying for an opioid abatement grant.

Applicant Resource Guide   Opioid Abatement Grant staff created a comprehensive resource guide to assist applicants in the process of project planning and completing the grant application. Click here to access the applicant resource document!

No Cost Project Consultation   Interested in applying for an opioid abatement grant?  Healthy Minds’ Policy Initiative provides free, one-on-one support to potential applicants. Technical assistance can help you develop your project idea, understand grant requirements, or support application planning and review. Contact Megan Wurzer at mwurzer@healthymindspolicy.org to set up a time to discuss how their services can best assist you.

Integrated Care

Integrated care is one of the eight priority funding strategies adopted by the Opioid Abatement Board in 2025. Integrated care is the implementation of evidence-based screenings for mental health and substance use conditions during routine medical appointments. This briefing document includes an overview of what integrated care is, who is the target population, and what to consider as a community if you are interested in integrated care as an opioid abatement strategy.

To read more about this strategy and if it is a good fit for your community,
click the button below.

Traci Ballard joined the Office of the Attorney General on the first day of Gentner Drummond’s administration. As Deputy General Counsel, she supports opioid abatement in Oklahoma by representing the state’s interest in opioid related litigation and settlements, as well working with the Opioid Abatement Board and the OAG grants team. Traci grew up in rural Oklahoma and earned her undergraduate, juris doctorate, and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oklahoma. Prior to joining the OAG team, her career centered on work supporting and educating those that lead governmental subdivisions via non-profit and higher education sectors. She lives in Claremore with her husband Matt. Together they share and love three teenagers, two dogs, and a lizard named Marcus.

May Opioid Abatement Board Meeting

Wednesday, May 27 at 1:30 PM
Office of Oklahoma Attorney General
313 NE 21^st Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Office Closed - Memorial Day

The Office of the Attorney General will be closed on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day. 

Jill Nichols

Opioid Response & Grants Coordinator
Jill.Nichols@oag.ok.gov

Khylee Rankin, LCSW

Assistant Opioid Response & Grants Coordinator
Khylee.Rankin@oag.ok.gov

Isela Perez

Opioid Response Statewide Projects Specialist
Isela.Perez@oag.ok.gov

Traci Ballard

Deputy General Counsel
Traci.Ballard@oag.ok.gov

Regional Field Representatives

Bonnie Johnson - Southwest 

Opioid Abatement Grant Field Representative - Southwest
Bonnie.Johnson@oag.ok.gov

The individual listed as the primary contact for the university, county, school district, or municipality will automatically receive this email. If other individuals from your institution need to receive it, please send their name and email address to Khylee Rankin, Khylee.Rankin@oag.ok.gov, and she will add them to the list.

About the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Grant

Title 74, sections 30.3 through 30.8 create the Political Subdivisions Opioid Abatement Grants Act. The Act’s purpose is to promote and protect the health of Oklahomans by using monetary grants to abate the opioid crisis in a comprehensive manner that includes cooperation and collaboration with political subdivisions. 

Grants will fund treatment and recovery programs, assistance with co-occurring disorders and mental health issues, opioid abuse education and prevention, proper prescription efforts, and strategies to decrease the supply of narcotics across the state. Grants are rigorously reviewed and approved by the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board comprising of the Attorney General and appointees of the Governor, Speaker of the House, Senate President Pro Tempore, State Treasurer, State Superintendent for Public Instruction, and State Auditor and Inspector.