Ohio Recovery Foundation is set to distribute millions in opioid settlement funds to combat the epidemic plaguing communities. With over $860 million secured from settlements with drugmakers, the foundation’s innovative grant program aims to support evidence-based initiatives for prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Prospective applicants, including non-profits, for-profits, and government entities, must adhere to regional focus and evidence-based strategies. The foundation’s efforts, spearheaded by Executive Director Alisha Nelson, reflect a concerted push for transparency and accountability in addressing Ohio’s opioid crisis, fostering hope for comprehensive and sustained intervention.
Ohio stands at a pivotal juncture in its fight against the opioid crisis, as the OneOhio Recovery Foundation prepares to distribute millions in settlement funds. These funds, amassed through agreements with drugmakers and pharmaceutical companies, signify a critical resource in the ongoing battle against opioid addiction and its devastating consequences. As the foundation unveils its grant program, stakeholders across Ohio eagerly anticipate the opportunity to implement evidence-based strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Against the backdrop of escalating overdose rates and widespread community impact, the foundation’s proactive approach underscores a collective commitment to combatting the opioid epidemic with diligence and resolve.
Since the initial securing of these funds in 2021, anticipation has been building for their distribution. Now, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation has stepped forward to spearhead the allocation of over $860 million obtained from settlements with drug manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. This foundation is taking a proactive approach, slated to unveil its formal request for proposals on Monday, marking the beginning of a crucial phase in the distribution process.
The settlements with various entities, including drugmakers, wholesalers, pharmacies, and others, are part of a broader effort to address the toll of opioids nationwide. In total, these agreements are set to funnel more than $50 billion to state, local, and Native American tribal governments, with the primary objective of combating the overdose epidemic.
Under the auspices of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, up to $51 million will be allocated during the 2024 grant cycle. This funding is earmarked for non-profits, for-profits, and government entities in Ohio actively engaged in combating the opioid crisis. Notably, this program stands as a pioneering initiative in the United States, reflecting Ohio’s commitment to confronting this multifaceted challenge head-on.
Prospective applicants must adhere to specific guidelines outlined by OneOhio, ensuring that proposed programs and services are grounded in evidence-based practices and represent forward-looking strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Moreover, projects must be regionally focused and may span durations ranging from one to three years.
The registration process for interested parties commences on Monday, with the deadline for submissions set for May 3. Alisha Nelson, Executive Director of OneOhio, emphasized the foundation’s sense of urgency in disbursing the settlement funds, acknowledging the pressing need to address the ongoing repercussions of the opioid epidemic across the state.
In a press release, Nelson underscored the foundation’s anticipation of innovative proposals aimed at combatting the epidemic’s pervasive impact throughout Ohio. This sentiment reflects a shared commitment among stakeholders to leverage these funds effectively and maximize their impact in communities across the state.
Established as a private non-profit organization, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation traces its origins to the collaborative efforts of Republican Governor Mike DeWine and GOP Attorney General Dave Yost in 2021. Governed by a 29-member statewide board comprising state lawmakers, appointees of state officials, and addiction experts from diverse backgrounds, the foundation operates with a mandate to address the opioid crisis comprehensively.
Despite its noble objectives, the foundation has encountered scrutiny and legal challenges, particularly regarding transparency concerns. However, recent developments, including the appointment of Alisha Nelson as the foundation’s first permanent Executive Director, signal a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability.
Governor DeWine expressed confidence in Nelson’s leadership, emphasizing her alignment with his vision of leveraging settlement funds to provide long-term support for Ohioans grappling with substance use disorder. This appointment underscores the pivotal role that the OneOhio Recovery Foundation plays in shaping the trajectory of Ohio’s response to the opioid crisis, highlighting the collective determination to effect positive change and foster healing in communities statewide.
In the face of Ohio’s opioid crisis, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation emerges as a beacon of hope, poised to deploy vital resources in the fight against addiction. With millions in settlement funds at its disposal, the foundation’s grant program represents a watershed moment in Ohio’s response to the epidemic. Through rigorous adherence to evidence-based practices and a commitment to regional focus, stakeholders have the opportunity to effect meaningful change in communities across the state. As Executive Director Alisha Nelson leads the charge with transparency and accountability at the forefront, Ohioans can look towards a future defined by resilience, recovery, and renewed hope in the face of adversity.
