ONEOHIO RECOVERY FOUNDATION AWARDS $960,158 FOR FOUR LOCAL PROJECTS TO ADVANCE PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND RECOVERY IN REGION 6
COLUMBUS, OH – Four projects focused on saving lives, preventing substance use disorder, expanding access to treatment, supporting recovery, and strengthening community resilience in Stark County have been awarded a combined $960,158 through the OneOhio Recovery Foundation's Regional Grant Cycle 2. The four awards support locally driven, evidence-informed work that responds to the local impacts of substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions, putting opioid settlement dollars to work where they can make a meaningful difference.
Ohio's opioid settlement dollars are most powerful when they reach the organizations and communities closest to the work of prevention, treatment and recovery, said Alisha Nelson, Executive Director of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation.
“Effective responses to substance use disorder cannot begin and end with treatment,” Nelson said. “Efforts that make a difference also require prevention, harm reduction and the relationships that help people stay connected to care and support over time. These grants support that broader approach and give local organizations more resources to put it into practice.”
Local communities know their own needs, and these new awards reflect the priorities identified by local partners across Stark County, said Frank Forchione, OneOhio Region 6 Board Chair.
“Stark County needs a response that works at every stage,” Forchione said. “That means helping young people make healthy choices, reducing immediate health risks and making sure that people leaving treatment remain connected to housing, services and community support.”
In total, Regional Grant Cycle 2 makes $45.7 million available across the state. Project funding directly serves people with substance use disorder, including those with co-occurring mental health conditions, as well as family members affected by substance use disorder, according to purposes approved by the OneOhio Memorandum of Understanding.
Region 6 Grant Awards
Alliance City Health Department: $132,233 for SWAP (Stark-Wide Approach to Prevention), Syringe Exchange Program, which will reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis C through syringe collection and distribution and provide HIV and hepatitis C testing, naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, drug-disposal bags and referrals to treatment and mental health services.
Boys & Girls Club of Massillon: $150,000 for Boys & Girls Club of Massillon - Prevention Programming, which will embed evidence-based opioid and substance use prevention into trauma-informed Club programming, strengthen protective factors, reduce risk behaviors, and equip young people with skills to make healthier choices.
Canton City Public Health: $381,000 for Enhancing Harm Reduction Services for All which will expand low-barrier harm reduction services, strengthen community education, and integrate on-site medications for opioid use disorder to improve participant engagement, reduce barriers to treatment, and provide timely, participant-centered access to evidence-based care.
CommQuest Services, Inc.: $296,925 for Recovery Community Engagement Initiative to use the evidence-based Community Reinforcement Approach and a recovery council, alumni network, recovery ambassadors, events, a recovery app, and enhanced case management to maintain connections to social support and stable housing during the critical post-discharge period.
Together, these awards will strengthen youth prevention, expand harm reduction services, improve access to treatment, and help people stay connected to housing, services, and community support throughout recovery.
All grant awards were approved by the OneOhio Board of Directors following a robust, multi-step process designed to ensure local input, integrity, accountability, and alignment with OneOhio's approved purposes. The Foundation is working with approved organizations to complete the grant agreement process and move funding into communities across Ohio. Grants are contingent on a fully executed grant agreement.
For Regional Grant Cycle 2, applicants first submitted Funding Inquiries through the OneOhio Grant Portal. Eligible inquiries were reviewed by Regional Grant Review Committees, and selected applicants were invited to submit Technical Applications. Where applicable, submissions were reviewed by the OneOhio Expert Panel to ensure alignment with evidence and the OneOhio MOU. Successful applications were then reviewed by Foundation staff and the Grant Oversight Committee, with final funding decisions made by the Board of Directors.
Regional Grant Cycle 2 builds on the Foundation's inaugural grant cycle, which awarded more than $45 million to 245 projects statewide. That first round supported a broad mix of strategies, including youth prevention initiatives, school-based mental health supports, recovery housing, treatment expansion, post-overdose outreach, peer support, supports for children and families affected by substance use disorder, and workforce development for the behavioral health field.
Grant recipients must submit biannual programmatic and financial reports, and the Foundation may request supplemental information or conduct site visits or virtual meetings as needed. These requirements reflect the Foundation's commitment to ensuring that every dollar is used responsibly and produces measurable and lasting impact.
A complete list of approved grant recipients can be found at OneOhioFoundation.com/GrantAwards. Additional awards may be announced as projects complete the review and approval process. Organizations interested in future funding opportunities should visit OneOhioFoundation.com/Grants and sign up for updates from the Foundation.
