Op-ED: Ohio’s Next Chapter in the Fight Against Addiction

OneOhio Recovery Foundation board member Duane Piccirilli authored the following op-ed in Mahoning Matters about the exciting opportunity for organizations to apply for grant funding. You can read an excerpt below and read the full op-ed (here):

"After years of efforts battling the opioid epidemic, this is an exciting time for our state. Last year, through a collaborative process with our 19 regional boards, the Foundation awarded approximately $45 million to 245 projects in our first grantmaking cycle. Those grants are now funding recovery housing, mobile crisis response teams, prevention programs in schools, and community-based treatment initiatives that are changing lives in real time..."

"These awards represent more than financial support. They show Ohio’s long-term commitment to turning opioid settlement dollars into life-changing investments. The Foundation is not just distributing money. It is building the foundation for a stronger and more resilient Ohio.

The upcoming grant cycle reflects that same commitment to fairness, transparency, and local leadership. With the Request for Proposals released in December, funding inquiries opened in January 2026, and reviews will begin the following month. This process ensures that resources are directed toward the projects that will have the most lasting impact. The focus will be on ideas that are forward-thinking, data-driven, and responsive to local needs."

Read the full column on the Mahoning Matters' website (here).