OneOhio Recovery Foundation Announces First Grant Recipients for Opioid Settlement Funds
Nearly three years after its inception, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation has announced its first round of grant recipients, marking a significant step in utilizing Ohio’s opioid drug settlement funds. This initiative stems from the state’s efforts to manage and distribute the substantial financial resources gained from lawsuits against opioid manufactures and distributors.
The OneOhio Foundation has been entrusted with a vital role in overseeing much of the funding derived from these settlements, which aim to address the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on communities statewide. As grant applications are currently under review across Ohio, Region 5, which encompass Summit County, has already identified seven recipients poised to benefit from this funding.
The grant recipients in Summit County and their respective funding allocations are as follows:
- Casa Board Volunteer Association Inc $69,500
Purpose: Project Heel focuses on providing a child advocate and therapy dog for abused and neglected children affected by substance abuse.
- City of Green Division of Fire $155,000
Purpose: To support the City of Green Quick Response Team, enhancing community response to overdose incidents.
- IBH Addiction Recovery $75,000
Purpose: Reaching for Recovery aims to build sustainable recovery through aftercare programs.
- South Street Ministries Inc $150,000
Purpose: Funding for South Street Reentry Services, assisting individuals reintegrating into society.
- Summit County Turning Point Program $154,800
Purpose: To support the Summit County Turning Point Program Alumni Group, fostering community and recovery connections.
- Summit Recovery Hub Inc $250,000
Purpose: The grant will enhance recovery navigation services at the Summit Recovery Hub.
- Truly Reaching You $90,000
Purpose: Sustained recovery for men reentering the community in Summit County
Alisha Nelson, Executive Director of OneOhio, highlighted the foundation’s commitment to both immediate recovery and long-term prevention strategies. “Some have chosen to really focus on how we can impact kids and families who have been effected by the epidemic,” she explained. The aim is to not only provide essential recovery support but also to develop preventive measures to ensure that future generations are safeguarded from the crisis.
The OneOhio Foundation anticipates distributing approximately $51 million in this grant cycle, with plans to announce additional recipients across Ohio in the near future. To date OneOhio, has secured 223.4 million from various national opioid settlements, including the bankruptcy of Mallinckrodt, and is projected to receive over 800 million through 2034. This funding is critical as the foundation works to activate the 19 designated regions across Ohio, allowing local decision-makers to allocate resources effectively to meet community needs.
Among the notable recipients is the Summit Recovery Hub, led by China Darrington. This Akron-based nonprofit, which provides peer support for individuals grappling with substance use and mental health disorders, will utilize its $250,000 grant to expand its facilities and transportation options. Darrington noted the urgent need for increased capacity, as their center has been overwhelmed with demand, reporting 1,597 recovery contacts within just three months. “That’s going to allow us to double our physical size so we can accommodate the larger groups we are now drawing,” she stated, emphasizing the growing need for such services.
In addition to the Summit County grants, various projects in Montgomery County and Northwestern Ohio have also been approved for funding. For example:
- Wright State University received $54,212 to disseminate behavioral couple therapy for substance abuse disorders.
- Good Shepherd Ministries was granted $75,000 for its Feed the Streets Sober Seed Bus initiative.
- Hardin County Domestic Relations Court and Recovery Services of Northwest Ohio were awarded funds to support their respective diversion and women’s residential programs.
OneOhio’s nonprofit status and structured governance aim to prevent the misallocation of funds, a concern that arose following the state’s settlement with tobacco companies in 1998, when funds were diverted to the general fund rather than being used for prevention. “It’s going to be important that they go to those initiatives that are focused on ending this crisis,” Nelson emphasized highlighting the foundation’s commitment to ensuring that the funds are utilized effectively to combat the opioid epidemic and foster sustainable recovery initiatives.
As Ohio embarks on this critical journey toward healing and recovery, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s grant program represents a pivotal moment in addressing the far-reaching effects of the opioid crisis on its communities. With a clear focus on prevention and support, the foundation aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families affected by substance abuse.
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