Ohio communities continue to carry the weight of the opioid crisis—on families, frontline workers, and the systems designed to support them. This second round of OneOhio Recovery Foundation funding represents a meaningful opportunity to strengthen local response efforts, expand workforce capacity, and invest in long-term recovery solutions.
Here’s what county leaders, agency administrators, and human services partners should know about Regional Grant Cycle #2 and why now is the time to start planning.
A Snapshot of the Opportunity
The OneOhio Recovery Foundation has announced Regional Grant Cycle #2, making $45.78 million available across Ohio’s 19 regions to support prevention, treatment, recovery, and community resilience efforts.
This funding builds on the first regional grant cycle and reflects both new opioid settlement dollars and unallocated funds carried forward from Cycle 1.
Key dates to know:
- December 10, 2025 – RFP released
- January 14, 2026 – Funding inquiry opens
- February 11, 2026 – Funding inquiry closes
Unlike earlier cycles, there is no pre-registration step. All required information will be collected during the funding inquiry phase, streamlining the process for applicants.
How OneOhio Determines Funding Levels
OneOhio funding comes from opioid settlement and bankruptcy payments that are delivered over time—not all at once. According to the Foundation’s FAQ, grant cycle funding is determined by:
- The timing and amount of settlement payments received
- Investment earnings on unallocated funds
- Long-term planning to balance immediate needs with sustained statewide impact
To support stability across future grant cycles, the Foundation’s Board is also exploring a term endowment model, which would responsibly invest a portion of settlement funds and deploy them over a defined period. The goal: consistent, transparent funding that supports Ohio communities both now and in the years ahead.
How Funding Is Distributed Across Regions
Why This Matters for Human Services Agencies
Substance use response funding doesn’t just support treatment programs—it directly impacts children, families, and the workforce tasked with supporting them.
Two OneOhio funding priorities are especially relevant for human services leaders:
- Priority 4: Impacted Children and Families
- Priority 9: Workforce Development
Across Ohio, agencies are grappling with:
- Increased caseloads tied to substance use
- Workforce burnout and turnover
- Administrative burden that pulls staff away from direct service
This grant cycle offers counties a way to invest in capacity-building solutions that strengthen both service delivery and staff sustainability.
Turning Funding Into Impact
For many counties, the biggest challenge isn’t identifying need—it’s executing solutions quickly and sustainably.
That’s why some agencies are exploring models that:
- Expand workforce capacity without increasing permanent headcount
- Reduce administrative load on licensed staff
- Improve consistency, timeliness, and compliance
- Allow caseworkers to spend more time with families
These approaches align closely with OneOhio’s emphasis on evidence-based investments and long-term community resilience.
Planning Ahead: What Counties Can Do Now
With the funding inquiry close date approaching, counties can take a few proactive steps:
- Review OneOhio funding priorities and regional allocations
- Identify workforce or service gaps that limit impact today
- Engage partners early to shape strong funding inquiries
- Attend upcoming OneOhio webinars and review grant-writing resources
The OneOhio Foundation has made several tools available, including:
- Regional Grant Cycle #2 webinars
- Grant-writing workshops
- Recorded sessions from December and January
Final Thoughts
The OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s Regional Grant Cycle #2 represents more than funding—it’s an opportunity to invest in people, strengthen systems, and build capacity where it’s needed most.
For counties navigating workforce challenges, growing demand, and heightened accountability, this grant cycle offers a timely path forward—one rooted in both urgency and sustainability.
If you’re exploring how these funds could support your county’s goals in 2026, now is the time to start the conversation and we’d love to be a part of that conversation with you. Connect with our Senior Manager of External Affairs, Amy Drapcho, to learn more.
