The West Virginia First Foundation is committing millions of dollars to a project that could curtail the effects of addiction across many of the state’s southern counties.
The project is called the Appalachian Continuum of Care for Overdose Reduction Network. It will have a variety of approaches, but a main standard of success will be reducing emergency medical services runs for overdoses.
“The outcomes for the federal piece are around reduction of EMS runs for overdose, which will be what the federal funding and the matching funding will be tied to,” said Dr. Matthew Christiansen, the state health officer. “We reserve the right to add in any other types of outcomes that we want to include into that grant.”
So, West Virginia wants to steer the program toward focusing on reducing neonatal abstinence syndrome too. Another goal being pushed by West Virginia is to reduce recidivism rates among incarcerated people. And West Virginia is looking for improvement in drug screenings among participants in the program.
During a special meeting on Monday afternoon, the foundation board approved a $20 million commitment to the organization called Accorn for work that could be eligible for federal matching funds.
The next phase involves submitting a formal application to the federal government for approval and funding. Final decisions are expected in early 2025.
Funding for years two and three will be contingent on the project meeting its first-year objectives, ensuring accountability and a clear return on investment for the state’s communities.
“It is outcomes based, which is novel — not only in philanthropy, but in other spaces as well in that our funding would not be drawn down unless specific outcomes are achieved,” Christiansen said during Monday’s meeting.
“It will also require an impact region of around 550,000 people, largely in the southern part of the state but also southwestern part as well. So it meets, in my opinion, many of the goals that the foundation was set up to address.”
The ACCORN initiative is designed to initially implement a comprehensive system of care in Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Putnam, Raleigh, and Wayne counties.
The counties, covering a population of more than 585,000, were selected based on their high rates of overdose and significant need for comprehensive interventions.
The program is anticipated to expand in its second year to Mingo, McDowell and Wyoming counties and then in year three to Mercer, Summers and Monroe.
While the focus begins with the 10 counties, the ultimate goal is to develop a scalable, outcomes-based model that can be replicated across West Virginia and beyond.
“This impacts the area of West Virginia that has been hit the hardest by the opioid epidemic in our state, so we’re looking at hitting nearly a third of our population with this program reaching them,” said Jon Dower, a board member from the Morgantown area.
The West Virginia First Foundation is a nonprofit board with millions of dollars in opioid settlement money available to put toward relief for state residents.
West Virginia experienced 1,335 known overdose deaths in 2022, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. West Virginia’s drug overdose death rate is 36.4% higher than the next worst state.
West Virginia has hundreds of millions of dollars available for abatement efforts following a number of lawsuits against distributors, wholesalers and pharmacies. The money is still coming in.
Typically, nonprofit organizations are going to apply for funding through the foundation for work to improve areas like youth prevention and workforce development, child advocacy centers and neonatal abstinence programs.
This particular grant is different because organizations like Accorn would be applying for direct funding, essentially a straight shot for access to the financial resources.
“Through WVFF’s funding, this initiative will not only initially address critical needs in 10 counties, nearly one third of the population of the state of West Virginia, but also generate a statewide needs assessment,” said Jonathan Board, executive director of the foundation.
“This data will give us a clearer picture of where resources are most needed, allowing for strategic planning that benefits all West Virginians. By focusing on outcomes and scalability, we’re setting a precedent for impactful, data-driven solutions.”