While the foundation is focused on establishing itself correctly so it can move forward wisely , plans for how the funds will be distributed are already in place . The WVFF can look to the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding for guidance . The memorandum contains terms and conditions put into place to outline the proper distribution of settlement funds from the opioid crisis .
“ The money received through the settlements , which will be distributed to the local governments and the West Virginia First Foundation , can only be used for the approved purposes as set forth in the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding ,” says Morrisey . “ Those approved purposes represent a holistic approach , focusing on education , treatment , prevention and law enforcement , that were carefully determined in order to provide guardrails to ensure that the funds would be used to address the devastation of the opioid crisis while providing the flexibility necessary for each local government and region to adopt the best evidence-based programs to address their specific needs .”
“ We have the great responsibility to the citizens of West Virginia to take a comprehensive look at this problem and bring resources together to work as a unit . Programming and services will touch all aspects of the issue , including but not limited to addiction , prevention , enforcement and recovery .”
West Virginia has suffered as a whole from the opioid epidemic , but some areas have been affected more intensely than others . Plans are in place to account for the disparity , and each region of the state will be assessed based on need .
“ From the beginning , it was integral to the vision of the drafters of the Memorandum of Understanding that the settlement money be used in the best possible way to provide a holistic solution to the opioid epidemic ,” Morrisey says . “ A key component of that process is the use of a needs assessment at both the local and state level in order to determine what services are currently available , at what levels and in what locations . It is anticipated that the West Virginia First Foundation will undertake , with the aid of experienced and knowledgeable consultants , a statewide needs assessment . Likewise , each region will be uniquely positioned to determine the needs of their own region and develop plans to utilize their portion of the settlement money .”
Morrisey explains that the board hopes the WVFF will be a major first step on a pathway toward recovery to help the next generation avoid falling prey to senseless death .
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