Awards to 18 agencies include 39 projects across a variety of areas to support opioid abatement and remediation

Richmond, VA – September 10, 2026 — On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the Grants Committee of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority’s (OAA) Board of Directors awarded $12,324,558.92 in 2026-2027 funding to eighteen agencies of the Commonwealth for opioid abatement and remediation efforts. The Committee approved an additional $3,120,475.72 of previously awarded funds to be carried forward into the 2026-2027 performance period.

“These awards strengthen the partnerships that are helping Virginia prevent opioid misuse, expand access to treatment, and support people in recovery,” said Senator Todd Pillion, Chair of the Opioid Abatement Authority Board of Directors. “By investing in the expertise of our state agencies and public universities, we can reach more Virginians with services that save lives and help individuals and families build a healthier future.”

The projects were selected through a competitive request for proposals process that opened March 20 and closed June 8, 2026. OAA received 51 project proposals requesting more than $21.1 million in new funding. The September 1 awards include the continuation of 32 previously funded projects and 7 new project awards. The funding supports efforts across public health, education, public safety, the judicial system, and higher education, including programs at seven of Virginia’s public universities.

Funded efforts include overdose prevention and naloxone access, youth education, recovery support on college campuses, workforce development, and services for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. The Virginia Department of Health will receive approximately $2.4 million for programs that include comprehensive harm reduction, local opioid use disorder coordinators, overdose review teams, and supports for pregnant women.

“The opioid crisis affects people in every part of the Commonwealth, and our response must reflect the different needs of those communities,” said Delegate Briana Sewell, Vice Chair of the OAA Board of Directors and Acting Chair of the Grants Committee. “These investments support evidence-based approaches while helping agencies work together to expand prevention, strengthen treatment and recovery services, and make effective use of settlement dollars.”

Among the new awards, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center will receive $62,665 for simulation-based first responder training. Virginia Commonwealth University will receive $267,563.70 for HARBOR, a pilot project pairing certified peer recovery specialists with an immersive virtual reality recovery program. Virginia Tech will receive $115,499 for a recovery housing assessment, training and technical assistance program and $93,238 to expand neuroscience-based substance use prevention education.

The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth will receive $1.84 million to support its statewide fentanyl and overdose messaging campaign and expand access to its Dangers of Fentanyl lesson. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services will receive $210,130.65 for a Recovery Workforce Conference, in addition to renewal funding for its substance use data analyst and Virginia Recovery Corps programs.

Funding for OAA grants and awards results from Virginia’s participation in national settlements with prescription opioid manufacturers, distributors, and other companies. The OAA was established by the General Assembly in 2021 to support efforts to treat, prevent, and reduce opioid use disorder and opioid misuse across the Commonwealth. Its funding supports partnerships among state agencies, cities and counties, and service providers to advance prevention, treatment, and recovery.

OAA awards are made one year at a time due to the timing of settlement payments estimated to arrive each year. Competitive awardees (Cooperative Partnership and State Agency projects) have the option to request up to four one-year renewals. All renewals are contingent on maintaining compliance with OAA terms and conditions and making progress on the award's objectives. Projects that do not request or are not approved for renewal will conclude at the end of their current performance period.

A summary of funding approved for each agency follows. For more information, visit voaa.us or contact info@voaa.us.

MEDIA CONTACT

Stephanie Heinatz
Consociate Media for the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority
757-713-2199
stephanie@consociatemedia.com

Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority 2026-2027 State Agency Awards
(Click the link under the “Project Title” column to view additional details)