February 14, 2024 - OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND BOARD HOLDS PUBLIC MEETING
The OneOhio Recovery Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization charged with statewide distribution of more than $800 million for substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts, held its first public meeting of the new year on February 14, 2024, at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce offices in Columbus.
At the meeting, Board Chair Larry Kidd announced that he was stepping down as chair, effective immediately, but would continue to serve as a Governor-appointed member of the board. “It has been my distinct honor to serve as chair of the Foundation board over the past 14 months. I’m proud of the work completed during this time, including hiring our first full-time executive director and helping to get this organization ready to begin the heart of its mission in distributing funds to help save lives,” he said. “Now, continuing as a member of this board, I’ll look forward to the future contributions my colleagues and I can make to the Foundation’s important work.”
Board Vice Chair Don Mason will serve as chair in the interim until the election of officers at the annual meeting in May 2024. In accordance with the Foundation’s Code of Regulations, the Executive Committee and staff were granted authority to take steps needed to transfer duties from the former chair to his successor, ensuring continuity as the Foundation prepares to launch its first-ever grant funding cycle.
2024 Regional Grant Cycle Update
As the Foundation prepares to solicit innovative ideas to support prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts around the state, Executive Director Alisha Nelson and Grant Oversight Committee Chair Tom Gregoire provided an update on the 2024 Regional Grant Cycle.
With input from the Grant Oversight Committee, Foundation staff are finalizing the 2024 Regional Grant Request for Proposals (RFP), which will provide potential applicants with detailed information regarding the grant application process. Foundation staff are also working with grant software developer akoyaGO to finalize the new OneOhio Grant Portal, which all applicants will use to apply for funding.
Key Dates
• March 4: RFP released and posted; Registration opens in OneOhio Grant Portal
• April 2: Application opens in OneOhio Grant Portal
• May 3: Applications due in OneOhio Grant Portal
New Online Grant Headquarters
To support potential applicants during 2024 Regional Grant Cycle, the Foundation has launched a new Grant Headquarters webpage, OneOhioFoundation.com/grants, which will be regularly updated with important information, including the 2024 Regional Grant RFP, access to the OneOhio Grant Portal, and additional resources.
Executive Director Report
During her update to the board, Executive Director Nelson outlined work underway as the Foundation prepares to administer its first grant funding cycle and discussed upcoming OneOhio events that aim to support potential grant applicants.
Upcoming Meetings
As part of the Foundation’s efforts to support potential applicants throughout the new regional grant process, Foundation staff will partner with OneOhio Region Boards to host OneOhio Listening Sessions. In addition to providing updates on the 2024 Regional Grant process, these meetings will allow impacted Ohioans and others working to prevent and combat substance use disorder the opportunity to offer input as the Foundation prepares to develop its long-term strategic plan.
Beginning in March, OneOhio Recovery Foundation staff will also host OneOhio Impact Academy webinars focused on various funding priorities, including but not limited to recovery housing, recovery supports and prevention. These webinars are designed to help applicants better understand what may or may not fall into the approved purposes of funding as they prepare to submit grant applications.
More information about all upcoming OneOhio events will be posted on the Foundation’s website and shared via email with those signed up to receive Foundation updates.
Website Updates
Director Nelson also informed board members that new features have launched on the OneOhio website, including staff, board member, and expert panel member biographies, along with new OneOhio Region webpages. These updates aim to help more Ohioans understand and engage with the Foundation’s work, reinforcing the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to transparency and collaboration.
At its February meeting, the Board also:
• Welcomed Greta Johnson, Ron Luce and Ted St John as the newest members of the Board of Directors. Johnson was recently appointed by Region 5 to replace Deborah Matz, Luce was recently appointed by Region 10 to fill a vacancy, and St John was recently appointed by Region 13 to replace Kathryn Whittington.
• Honored Ohioans impacted by addiction by hearing the recovery story of Shay Brown, which was presented by Region 1 Director Dawn Tyler Lee. Addicted to drugs and alcohol as a teenager, Shay faced ongoing challenges into early adulthood, even losing custody of her children. After entering a strong, court-ordered treatment program and joining a 12-step recovery program, she is now looking forward to earning a college degree.
• Heard a report from Personnel Committee Chair Julie Ehemann.
• Received and approved a finance report from Jim Quinn, finance manager.
The Board’s next public meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, 34 S. 3rd Street, Columbus.
