By Markus Schmidt | Virginia Mercury
A committee of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority approved more than half a million dollars in new grants this month, directing settlement funds to five localities for programs aimed at reducing opioid use, expanding access to treatment and strengthening community-based responses to addiction and overdoses.
At a Jan. 20 meeting, the committee approved $545,429 in awards to Clarke, Franklin, Henrico and Patrick counties and the city of Fairfax. The grants will support a mix of new initiatives and expansions of existing programs, funded through Virginia’s share of national opioid settlements with manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
“These awards provide support to Virginia cities and counties to implement and expand opioid abatement programs that meet the current and future needs of their communities,” said Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Washington, chair of the OAA Board of Directors.
“Virginia continues to lead the way in awarding opioid settlement funds for diverse, evidence-based projects at the community level.”
The authority has emphasized local decision-making as it distributes settlement funds, with projects designed to respond to needs identified by communities themselves.
“Awarding community-level projects really allows those on the front lines to steer the solutions and respond to what they are seeing,” said Del. Brianna Sewell, D-Prince William, treasurer of the OAA Board of Directors.
Clarke County received $14,700 to fund a substance use disorder intensive case manager who will work with families and children affected by addiction.
The position will provide case management services aimed at reducing substance use in families, decreasing substance-related child abuse and neglect, and strengthening coordination among local and regional service providers.
The county committed an additional $31,514 of its opioid settlement funds to support the effort.
Franklin County received two awards totaling $184,580, making it the largest overall recipient in this funding round.
One award increases funding for the Grace House PEARL Program, a six- to 12-month recovery housing program for pregnant and postpartum women.
The $99,575 increase will be used to purchase an additional home rather than renovate part of the existing facility, allowing the program to add three living units and expand capacity by about 60%.
Franklin pledged an additional $138,920 in settlement funds to support the expansion.
The locality’s second award, totaling $73,500, will support a new Community Paramedicine Program administered by the Franklin County Public Safety Department.
The program is designed to bridge gaps in health care access, reduce avoidable emergency department visits and improve long-term outcomes for vulnerable populations. While focused on opioid use disorder services, it will also address broader community risk reduction priorities.
Officials estimate the program will directly benefit residents connected to roughly 150 opioid-related 911 calls received annually, while also providing prevention services, treatment referrals and education for people experiencing non-opioid substance use emergencies.
Franklin County committed an additional $23,750 in settlement funds, and only 50% of the personnel costs are covered by the OAA grant to ensure non-abatement activities are funded separately.
Henrico County received $275,000 to contract with an organization that will provide substance use education and training for up to 20 faith-based leaders representing a range of religions.
Over the course of up to a year, participants will receive training on substance use, prevention, recovery and harm reduction, and be connected with local treatment and support. The program is expected to reach more than 5,000 people through participating congregations.
Patrick County was awarded $18,945 to enhance services for the Piedmont Adult Recovery Court and expand mental health and substance use disorder treatment within the county jail.
The funding will support a peer support specialist, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, a licensed therapist, a justice support supervisor and the purchase of an SUV.
The county pledged an additional $145,211 in settlement funds following a needs assessment that identified gaps in services.
The city of Fairfax received $63,709 to launch the first phase of a proof-of-concept project using artificial intelligence-enabled virtual reality training for multidisciplinary crisis response teams.
In partnership with George Mason University’s College of Public Health and Immersion Technology Lab, the city will develop immersive, scenario-based training focused on opioid-related crisis and post-crisis response, with an emphasis on strengthening the role of certified peer recovery specialists.
As the authority continues awarding grants, officials say early investments are beginning to show results.
“We are beginning to see the results of the early rounds of OAA grants come to fruition, and it is wonderful to see more cities and counties applying these funds to help save lives in their communities,” said Dr. Sarah Thomason, vice chair of the OAA Board of Directors.
To date, the Opioid Abatement Authority has funded more than 171 active projects across the commonwealth. Established by the General Assembly in 2021, the authority oversees 55% of Virginia’s opioid settlement funds. Another 30% is distributed directly to cities and counties, with the remaining 15% allocated to the state.
Virginia’s settlement payments began in 2022 and are expected to exceed $1.1 billion by the time they end in 2041. Court orders and state law restrict the use of the funds to opioid abatement and remediation efforts.
