Kanawha County announces application process for opioid settlement funds
On April 1, the Kanawha County Commission will begin accepting applications from those wanting to request funds from opioid lawsuit settlements.
Last year, the County Commission received $2.9 million dollars of the roughly $7 million they will receive over the next several years.
The Kanawha County Commission announced Thursday that it has received a check for nearly $3 million from the West Virginia First Qualified Set…
Application process
Kanawha County commissioners announced Thursday they will use an online application process similar to the American Rescue Plan application process. The opioid funds application, which will be available at kanawha.us, will also be available in printed form.
The County Commission will then vote on the applicants.
All application materials will be available to the public, and the commission will vote on which applications will receive money. County-contracted auditors will review the applications as well. The commission said at its Thursday meeting that commissioners will prioritize established programs over start-ups.
According to a news release from the county, applicants will be expected to provide:
- Project timeline
- Project budget
- Project sustainability plans
- Historical and financial information about their organization
- Two years of financial audits
Approved uses
Applicants can apply for up to $250,000. Projects must be approved as one of dozens of options of approved uses outlined in the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement created to ensure funds are used to combat the opioid epidemic. This document will be available to applicants. Approved uses include:
- Naloxone distribution
- Opioid-related treatment
- Treatment for pregnant women and infants affected by opioids
- Expansion of recovery services
- Treatment for incarcerated individuals
- Prevention programs
- Data collection and research
- Law enforcement efforts
Settlement funds
Kanawha County as a whole will get about $20 million. Of that, based on an agreement between the City of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä and Kanawha County, the County Commission will get to distribute roughly $7 million and ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä will get around $10 million. The rest will go to other municipalities in the county.
The Kanawha County Commission has signed off on an agreement with the city of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä for the distribution of its share of opioid litigatio…
Overall, West Virginia is expected to receive almost $1 billion in settlements from lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. A quarter of the money is going directly to local governments. Most of the remaining funds will be distributed by the West Virginia First Foundation.
Commitment to transparency
At the meeting, Commission President Lance Wheeler said the county has been recognized by the state and federal government for the way the American Rescue Plan funds were handled. County Manager Jennifer Herrald agreed, saying she was told Kanawha County’s application method will likely be used as an example for other counties.
“There’s not going to be any executive sessions with this commission. We’re not going to have any back doors. None of this money will be spent if it’s not through an application,†Wheeler said, referencing the lengthy executive sessions already held by the First Foundation.
In other business
Also at Thursday’s meeting, the commission approved the following grants:
- $100,000 for the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Sternwheel Regatta
- $75,000 for a company that will build mountain biking and e-biking trails in Clendenin
- About $15,000 for a new lawn mower for ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Northeast Little League
Ashley Perham is a city reporter. She can be reached at 304-348-1240 or aperham@hdmediallc.com. Follow @ashleymperham
on Twitter.
