BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – Governor Jim Justice signed the West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) into law in 2022 to provide about a billion dollars of funding throughout the mountain state to combat the opioid epidemic. Now, applications for the “Initial Opportunity Grant’ will be reviewed. The WVFF received applications from non-profits, tax-exempt organizations and organizations with a statewide presence and they will be reviewed by the grant committee and expert panel, using a scoring rubric based on specified criteria with a final say from the WVFF Board of Directors.
“In this initial opportunity grant process, we’ve allocated just over 19 million dollars throughout the states and regions,” said WVFF’s Executive Director, Jonathan Bard. “We set up target areas like diversion programs, youth prevention, child advocacy, and transitional and recovery housing. In those areas, we just were really excited to receive applications from people who were interested. ”The $19.2 million allocated for this grant, when decided, will be dispersed to each of the six regions shown in the graphic.
Each region will get $3.2 million, receiving a maximum of $800,000 per target area with up to four awards per target area per region. With over 174 applicants submitting forms, Board understands that this needs to be done as quickly as possible, that’s why the foundation is standing committed to getting the funds out by December 31st.
“It’s vitally important. “We know the need is now. We have neighbors and family members who need assistance and need help. What’s great about this state is that West Virginians are very good neighbors and they’re looking out for those folks, so getting tools into their hands is so important.”…