News Briefs
Overdose Prevention Grant Awarded Geauga Public Health
Geauga Public Health has received a $75,000 grant to support the establishment of a sustainable infrastructure for community naloxone distribution in Geauga County.
Overdoses caused by opioids, whether from prescription opioids, heroin, or fentanyl, can often be reversed through the prompt administration of the medication naloxone.
“The goal of the Integrated Naloxone Access and Infrastructure Grant is to get the naloxone kits into the hands of those who are most likely to have contact with someone at risk for an opioid- related overdose in order to prevent another fatality,” said Geauga Public Health Director of Population Health Christine Wyers, who applied for the grant.
“We will be collaborating with community partners to establish distribution strategies that target the most at-risk populations within our county,” she added.
Emergency Food & Shelter Funds Available
Geauga County has been chosen to receive $11,475 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
The federal funds were made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.
A local board, made up of representatives of the local Geauga County Agencies, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, United Way, Ravenwood Mental Health Center and faith-based volunteers, will determine how the funds awarded to Geauga County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.
The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.
Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:
- Be private, voluntary non-profits or units of government,
- Be eligible to receive Federal funds,
- Have an accounting system,
- Practice nondiscrimination,
- Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs,
- If they are a private, voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.
Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.
“In the past, these funds have been awarded to WomenSafe (to feed residents) and to Job & Family Services (to provide rent and utility assistance),” said Claudia Toth, office specialist at United Way of Geauga County. “We are looking to fund other organizations that meet the food & shelter needs of the county.”
Public or private, voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds can contact Claudia Toth at 209 Center St., Unit H, Chardon, OH 44024; (216) 436-2028; or ctoth@uws.org for information.
The deadline for letters of application to be received is Aug. 19.
