By Steven Allen Adams, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The panel of experts who will be guiding members of the non-profit responsible for distributing hundreds of millions of dollars to combat the substance use disorder crisis in West Virginia were officially introduced to the public Tuesday.
The West Virginia First Foundation held a virtual meeting Tuesday afternoon with members of its statewide expert panel as they prepare to review the first applications for the new initial opportunity grant program. The meeting focused on the panel’s responsibilities and expectations.
“We need their wisdom, we need their guidance, and their direction and their connection to the local communities that they represent throughout the state,” said Jonathan Board, the executive director of the West Virginia First Foundation.
The memorandum of understanding between Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and county and city governments that created the West Virginia First Foundation required the creation of a governing board, regional entities as needed, and a statewide expert panel.
According to the MOU, the statewide expert panel can consult the West Virginia First Foundation board and make recommendations to the state’s six regions on projects to use opioid settlement dollars for. The expert panel includes experts in the fields of substance abuse treatment, mental health, law enforcement, pharmacology, finance, and health care policy and management.
