The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) announced funding availability totaling $1 million to expand substance use disorder (SUD) residential treatment services in Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Nicholas and Roane counties.

The funding is supported by the Ryan Brown Addiction Prevention and Recovery Fund as part of a comprehensive statewide plan to combat the opioid epidemic.

The Ryan Brown Addiction Prevention and Recovery Fund, also known as House Bill 2428, mandates that DHHR identify need and allocate additional treatment beds in the state. These beds are intended to provide SUD treatment services in existing or newly constructed facilities.

“DHHR’s mission is to join with communities and families in providing opportunities for citizens to achieve health and independence,” said DHHR Cabinet Secretary Bill J. Crouch. “An expansion in SUD treatment services will result in a decrease of overdose deaths as well as a decrease in economic costs to the State.”

In December 2017, DHHR awarded Ryan Brown funding to SUD programs in six regions. As a result of legislative action, Region Seven was added comprising of Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Nicholas and Roane counties.

DHHR’s Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities is soliciting applications from vendors who can provide SUD residential treatment services in the designated geographic area by adding to existing programs or developing and implementing new capacity.

The funding is available for one grant and will be awarded based on accepted proposals that meet all required criteria. Proposals must be submitted by August 10, 2018.  Proposal details and requirements are available online: dhhr.wv.gov/bhhf/afa.