Posted November 27, 20242:43 pm
Cleveland, OH — The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland has received $130,000 in grant funding to provide legal services that support the recovery journeys of people impacted by opioid use, Director of Development Melanie Shakarian announced today.
With the OneOhio Recovery Foundation funds, Legal Aid will expand the Community Advocacy Program (CAP), its medical-legal partnership with MetroHealth, by adding another Legal Aid attorney at MetroHealth’s Cleveland Heights Behavioral Health Center. This expansion will support the health, well-being, and recovery process of residents in Cuyahoga County who have been diagnosed with or had family members impacted by Opioid Use Disorder. In partnership with MetroHealth, Legal Aid will provide streamlined access to legal services that help these individuals maintain healthcare benefits, protect their homes, remove barriers stable employment, and secure safety for their families.
The grant is part of an inaugural round of approximately $51 million in funding made available by the Foundation as part of its mission to combat the opioid epidemic by supporting prevention, treatment and recovery programs and services in our communities. The grant money was funded by 55 percent of settlement funds that Ohio is receiving from the pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its role in the national opioid epidemic.
The grant received by Legal Aid reflects the Foundation’s commitment to supporting organizations on the frontlines of the addiction epidemic by advancing efforts that foster more resilient, healthier communities across Ohio.
Across Ohio, organizations like Legal Aid are working day in and day out to strengthen their communities that have been impacted by the opioid epidemic, said Alisha Nelson, Executive Director of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation.
“We’re pleased to partner with Legal Aid to support their efforts to save lives, rebuild families affected by addiction, and foster strong and resilient places to live,” Nelson said.
The recipients announced as part of the Foundation’s first grant cycle were chosen after a robust review process that included evaluation by the local OneOhio Regional Board, the OneOhio Expert Panel and the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Grant recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the opioid crisis. The funded initiatives are evidenced-based and align with Ohio’s approved abatement strategies, including prevention, recovery supports, services for impacted families and children, and many more.
A complete list of recipients can be found at OneOhioFoundation.com/GrantAwards.
The Foundation had an overwhelming response to the 2024 Regional Grant application process, with more than a half-billion dollars in funding requests submitted for the $51 million available this cycle. Organizations and leaders seeking to submit applications in the future can sign up on the Foundation’s website here to receive updates.
About the OneOhio Recovery Foundation
The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation created under the leadership of Governor Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost, and other state and local leaders, with the mission of advancing Ohio’s addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts now and into the future.
The Foundation is governed by a 29-member board from across Ohio and is funded by 55 percent of settlement funds that Ohio is receiving from the pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its role in the national opioid epidemic. Funds support local efforts to prevent and combat addiction and are also invested to support those efforts for the long term.
For more information on OneOhio Recovery Foundation: OneOhio Recovery Foundation