The West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) was created by the state Legislature in 2023 to distribute nearly $1 billion in opioid settlement monies over the next 17 years.  

The organization has chosen the Health Affairs Institute (HAI), in partnership with the Institute for Policy Research and Public Affairs and Data Driven WV, to perform a statewide needs assessment.  

“This is a critical investment in carrying out what WVFF was created to do, as our founding documents specifically call for statewide coordination that helps connect resources, information and systems of care across West Virginia,” said Jonathan Board, WVFF executive director. “As WVFF continues to scale its impact, having a shared, data-driven understanding of where needs are greatest, where resources already exist, and where gaps remain will help inform future decisions. The WVU team brings both the technical expertise and statewide perspective needed to support that effort.” 

The study itself is expected to cost $1.5 million and take 18 months to complete. A statement from the First Foundation said the study is designed to provide a clearer understanding of needs, gaps and opportunities. 

A year ago, the First Foundation asked for proposals. They said they received more than 20 proposals from organizations nationwide. 

Key objectives include 

• Establishing a common metric to measure burden of addiction at local and state levels. 

• Mapping current funding and service availability to ensure equitable distribution. 

• Identifying critical gaps in prevention and treatment services. 

• Creating a user-friendly, public dashboard for transparency and data accessibility. 

• Defining a standardized Health Return on Investment (HROI) for addiction-related services. 

• Participating in the development of a statewide interoperable network. 

“This partnership reflects HAI’s commitment to applied research that directly improves the health and well-being of West Virginians,” said Rebecca Gillam, senior research scientist and portfolio director at WVU Health Affairs Institute. “By combining robust data analysis with community-informed insight, this assessment will provide practical tools to support smarter investments and stronger outcomes in addressing the burden of substance use disorder across the state.” 

Since May 2023, the First Foundation said it has distributed nearly $40 million in settlement money. This includes initiatives focused on care such as prevention, treatment, recovery and workforce development.  

The organization handles 72.5% of the state’s settlement money. Cities and counties get 24.5% directly, and the state Attorney General’s office gets 3% for legal representation. 

Results of the Needs Assessment, including the public dashboard, will be released once completed and is expected to inform future funding decisions and statewide planning efforts.  

To learn more, visit the First Foundation website.