The Community Action Commission of Fayette County will receive a $203,320 grant from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, Executive Director Bambi Baughn announced. The money is designated for peer recovery and reentry work at the Fayette County Jail.
Brooke Truman, who coordinates the agency’s Pathways to Recovery program, described the jail-based components as recovery education, life-skills instruction and reentry planning tailored to individuals. Truman also said the grant will extend support after release, linking formerly incarcerated people with substance use disorder treatment, housing, employment resources and other community services intended to ease a stable transition.
Statewide, the funding belongs to OneOhio’s second regional grant round, totaling $45.7 million. The foundation distributes 55% of Ohio’s share of pharmaceutical settlement money tied to the national opioid epidemic, according to the report.
Alisha Nelson, the foundation’s executive director, said the awards continue momentum from the first cycle and are meant to expand hope, strengthen recovery and give local frontline organizations more tools. Grant decisions pass through a regional review involving local volunteers, an expert panel and the foundation’s 29-member board.
The prior cycle awarded over $45 million to more than 240 projects across Ohio, supporting youth prevention, recovery housing, school mental health services and treatment expansion. OneOhio is a private nonprofit formed under Gov. Mike DeWine, Attorney General Dave Yost and local officials to manage opioid settlement distributions and fund long-term recovery strategies.
The Fayette County agency was established in May 1967 and runs community development and anti-poverty programs countywide. It added addiction prevention and recovery services in 2017, during the opioid crisis peak.