WV First Foundation Announces Region 2 Expert Panel

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West Virginia First Foundation Inaugurates Regional Expert Panel to Combat Opioid Crisis

Eastern Panhandle, W.Va.– In a critically important move to combat the escalating opioid crisis, The West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) has established its inaugural Region 2 Regional Expert Panel. This panel of local specialists will play a pivotal role in shaping strategies aimed at preventing substance use disorder, bolstering recovery efforts, and ultimately saving lives throughout the Eastern Panhandle and its adjacent communities.

Local Leaders join Forces to Tackle Opioid Crisis

The selected panel is composed of seven distinguished experts, each bringing a unique area of expertise crucial to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by the opioid epidemic. These leaders represent Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Berkeley, Jefferson, Pendleton, and Morgan Counties, ensuring a broad and representative perspective.

“This is an critically important milestone in our mission to empower communities and deliver on the promise of the opioid settlement,” said Jefferson County Prosecutor Matt Harvey, Chairman of the West Virginia First Foundation Board of Directors. He expressed immense gratitude to the appointed experts for their commitment, emphasizing that their combined wisdom and lived experiences will be instrumental in charting the course ahead.

Meet The Region 2 Expert Panel

The Region 2 Panel comprises professionals dedicated to various aspects of combating the opioid crisis:

• Prevention: Melody Stotler
• Treatment (Including Mental Health And Pharmacology): Madison Humerick
• Recovery/Lived experience: Stephanie Stout
• Systems Of care, Health policy, And Management (Including Finance): Angela Gray
• Law Enforcement And Judicial Systems: Cindy Largent-Hill
• First Responders: Dean Olack
• Corrections And Reentry: Darren Taylor

Panel’s Primary Responsibilities

The Regional Expert Panels will serve as essential local advisors, tasked with coordinating data collection, rigorously reviewing grant proposals, and providing region-specific recommendations. This approach ensures that community voices are integral to shaping funding decisions, leading to more effective and tailored interventions.

One of the initial priorities of these panels will be to nominate subject matter experts to serve on the State Expert Panel for each area of expertise.The State Panel will then review regional findings, ensuring alignment with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and offer strategic recommendations to the Board, thereby informing statewide funding priorities.

Foundation Leaders Express Optimism

Tim Czaja, WVFF Elected Board Member for region 2, conveyed his enthusiasm for the newly appointed panel, noting that these individuals not onyl possess deep expertise but also a personal understanding of the challenges facing their communities. He emphasized the importance of incorporating local perspectives into decision-making processes to ensure that funding effectively addresses the specific needs of the region.

Did You Know? As 2020, opioid-related deaths have increased by nearly 30% in many parts of West Virginia, making initiatives like the WVFF’s expert panel even more critical.

The West Virginia First Foundation: A Closer Look

The West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) is a non-profit organization established to mitigate the opioid crisis and its long-term effects across the state. Created under the West Virginia First memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the WVFF is designed to receive and allocate opioid settlement funds. operating as a private 501(c)(3) entity,the Foundation supports prevention,treatment,recovery,and harm reduction efforts,guided by the principles outlined in the MOU. Through strategic funding and robust community collaboration, the WVFF aims to forge sustainable solutions that enhance the health and well-being of all West Virginians.

Panel member	Area Of Expertise	Role
Melody Stotler	Prevention	Advising on preventative measures
Madison Humerick	Treatment	Providing expertise on mental health and pharmacology
Stephanie Stout	Recovery/Lived Experience	Sharing insights from personal recovery journeys
Angela Gray	Systems of Care	Guiding health policy and management strategies
Cindy Largent-Hill	Law Enforcement	Advising on judicial system interventions
Dean Olack	First Responders	Informing first response protocols
Darren Taylor	Corrections and Reentry	Developing strategies for accomplished reentry programs

The Enduring Impact of expert Panels

expert panels like the one established by the West Virginia First Foundation are critical for addressing complex issues such as the opioid crisis. These panels bring together diverse perspectives and specialized knowledge, allowing for the development of extensive and effective strategies.

Moreover, the involvement of local leaders ensures that interventions are tailored to the specific needs of the community, increasing their likelihood of success. By fostering collaboration and incorporating lived experiences, these panels can drive meaningful change and improve outcomes for those affected by substance use disorder.

Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia’s Fight Against Opioids

• What is the role of the West virginia First Foundation’s Regional Expert Panel?

  The Regional Expert Panel serves as key advisors to the WVFF, offering region-specific recommendations to shape funding decisions and address substance use disorder.

• Who are the members of the Region 2 Expert Panel addressing the opioid crisis?

  The Region 2 Panel includes experts like Melody Stotler (prevention), Madison Humerick (treatment), Stephanie stout (Recovery/Lived experience), Angela Gray (systems of Care), Cindy Largent-Hill (Law Enforcement), Dean Olack (First Responders), and Darren Taylor (Corrections and Reentry).

• What counties are represented by the Regional Expert Panel?

  The panel represents Grant, hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Berkeley, Jefferson, Pendleton, and Morgan Counties in West Virginia.

• How were the members of the West Virginia First Foundation Expert Panel selected?

  Regional Expert Panel members were nominated by Board Members serving each region and subsequently approved

  How will the WV First Foundation’s Region 2 expert Panel address specific regional challenges beyond the identified focus areas of economic development,community planning,and resource allocation?

  WV First Foundation Announces Region 2 Expert Panel to Drive Development

  The West Virginia First Foundation continues its commitment to fostering economic prosperity across the state. In an exciting development, the Foundation has established an Expert Panel specifically for Region 2. This strategic move is a significant step in furthering economic development initiatives and offers a focused approach to address the specific needs and opportunities within this critical region.

  Understanding the WV First Foundation and Its Mission

  The West Virginia First Foundation’s primary mission is centered on stimulating growth and opportunity within West Virginia. Focusing on various initiatives,the foundation aims to:

  • Facilitate economic expansion
  • Support community development projects
  • Promote entrepreneurship
  • Invest in infrastructure improvements

  What is Region 2?

  Region 2,for the purposes of the West Virginia First Foundation’s initiatives,encompasses a specific geographic area within the state. Determining the exact counties involved is key to understanding those most affected and those who the Expert Panel will serve. (A more complete list of counties in Region 2 should be provided here. Unfortunately, the provided context does not include this details).

  The Role of the Region 2 Expert Panel

  The newly formed Region 2 Expert Panel is composed of specialists in the fields of economic, development, and community planning. Their mandate covers several crucial areas:

  • Identifying Development Opportunities: Uncovering new opportunities to boost economic growth and investment
  • Strategic Planning: Developing and implementing strategic plans tailored to region-specific needs.
  • Resource Allocation: Providing counsel on the optimal allocation of resources.
  • Collaboration: Fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

  Key Functions of the Expert Panel

  The Panel’s functionalities are designed to support local and regional development directly.

  • Needs assessment: Assessing the particular challenges and requirements of the Region 2 communities.
  • Program Development: Crafting new programs and initiatives that precisely match local needs.
  • Grant recommendations: Providing recommendations for grant programs.
  • Technical Assistance: Supplying technical aid to project developers and local organizations.

  Benefits of the region 2 Expert Panel

  Forming an Expert Panel specifically for a region brings a number of tangible benefits, which are intended to drive significant impact.

  • Enhanced Local Focus: A dedicated panel means a concentrated focus on regional issues, which facilitates better decision-making and customized strategies.
  • Increased Efficiency: experts with local knowledge are likely to make faster, more effective decisions, streamlining the development process.
  • Improved funding: A specialized group of specialists can assist in securing both private & public grants. This would provide more funding for regional projects.
  • Sustainable Growth: The panel helps foster sustainable economic growth by ensuring projects are thoroughly planned with consideration given to long-term effects.

  Get involved and Stay Informed

  Those interested in the projects and initiatives of the WV First Foundation can stay abreast of latest developments by doing the following:

  • Engaging with the Foundation: Look for announcements regarding meetings, programs and outreach.
  • Local Networking: Attending local public forums and community meetings.
  • Contacting Local Representatives: Local representatives can provide more information and put people in touch with key resources, notably in Region 2.

  Expert Panel Focus Area	Expected Outcomes
  Economic Development	Increased job creation, business attraction
  Community Planning	Improved infrastructure, enhanced quality of life
  Resource Allocation	Efficient use of funds, maximum impact