MAYOR GOODWIN ANNOUNCES OPIOID SETTLEMENT GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY; APPOINTS MEMBERS TO OPIOID COMMUNITY COUNCIL

(Charleston, W. Va.) – Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin announced the launch of a new opioid settlement grant funding opportunity and appointed members to the Opioid Community Council during this evening’s Charleston City Council meeting. Administered in partnership with the United Way of Central West Virginia, the grant program will invest settlement funds in initiatives that support prevention, treatment, and recovery, helping reduce the impacts of substance use disorder and the opioid crisis in Charleston. 

“By investing these settlement funds in programs that focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery, we are turning this opportunity into lasting change for individuals and families in our community,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “Through our collaboration with the United Way of Central West Virginia and the Opioid Community Council, we are strengthening our ability to connect those in need with the resources, services, and support they need to move toward recovery and long-term stability.” 

Mayor Goodwin appointed the following members to the Opioid Community Council, which will help guide the use of opioid settlement funds: Chief of Staff Matthew Sutton, former US Attorney for the Southern District William Thompson, Dr. Cynthia Persily, Brian Lilly, Dr. Martha Carter, Bill Woodrum, Emily Hanna, Ashley McElwee, and Sarah Stone.     

“The United Way of Central West Virginia is pleased to partner with the City to ensure these funds are directed to programs that will make the most meaningful difference,” said Margaret O’Neal, President, United Way of Central West Virginia. “Together, we have the opportunity to expand access to services, support recovery, and strengthen our community.”   

The Charleston Opioid Settlement Grant, funded through opioid settlement funds, is designed to support initiatives that demonstrate evidence-based strategies, programming and services:  

• Treatment: expand the availability of treatment for individuals affected by substance use disorders and/or addiction;
• Prevention: develop, promote and provide evidence-based substance use prevention strategies, to provide substance use avoidance and awareness education, to engage in enforcement to curtail the sale, distribution, promotion or use of opioids and other drugs, to decrease the oversupply of licit and illicit opioids;
• Recovery: support recovery from addiction to be performed by qualified providers 

Who Can Apply: 
All applications must align with Schedule A (Core Strategies) and Schedule B (Approved Uses) as designated by the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be considered for funding. 

How to Apply: 
Applications are available at www.unitedwaycwv.org/opioid and must be submitted by September 5, 2025 at 5 p.m. United Way of Central West Virginia will oversee the application process and manage the distribution of funds, with guidance from the Opioid Community Council.  

Questions:  
Questions can be directed to Katharina Fritzler, Community Investment Director for United Way of Central West Virginia at 304.340.3521 or kfritzler@unitedwaycwv.org.  

Background: 
Charleston City Council approved Resolution No. 25-063, authorizing the city to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Way of Central West Virginia, during the July 7, 2025 City Council Meeting.  

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