> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.opioidsettlementguides.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.opioidsettlementguides.com/west-virginia/west-virginias-opioid-settlements.md).

# West Virginia’s Opioid Settlements

*This Community Guide will describe how West Virginia is spending its opioid settlements, and whether West Virginia is working to ensure community access to opioid settlement funds. Last revised September 1, 2024.*

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th align="center"></th><th align="center"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><h4>Total Funds</h4></td><td align="center"><p><strong>$980.94 million</strong>[1]</p><hr><p>[1] Total is rounded. <em>See</em> <a href="https://www.opioidsettlementtracker.com/globalsettlementtracker">The Official Opioid Settlement Tracker Tally</a>. Accessed September 1, 2024.</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><h4>Allocation</h4></td><td align="center"><p>72.5% to the West Virginia First Foundation and 24.5% to local governments[1]</p><p><br><img src="https://1895976894-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FknhVRFUEH5iY1k8xGqUh%2Fuploads%2FCTgD8P3LiZlqLlKHIA1K%2F_OpioidSettlement-DecisionMaking_West%20Virginia.png?alt=media&amp;token=ba67742a-dc21-4f07-ac4d-3313ee692f2c" alt=""></p><hr><p>[1] West Virginia’s MOU allocated 3% of funds to the Attorney General as the “State Share,” to be directed toward opioid litigation expenses. Monies unspent from this minor share by December 31, 2026 are reallocated to the other two shares (2% to the Foundation share and 1% to the local share). <em>See</em> <a href="https://wvfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2022.2.16-Final-MOU-Exhibits-REVISED-EX-C.pdf#page=4">MOU B.2(b)(iii)</a>.</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><h4>Mechanism</h4></td><td align="center"><strong>State-Local Agreement</strong> (<a href="https://wvfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2022.2.16-Final-MOU-Exhibits-REVISED-EX-C.pdf">West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding</a>); <strong>Legislation</strong> (<a href="https://code.wvlegislature.gov/5-31/">W . Va. Code Secs. 5-31-1 through 5-31-5</a> ); <strong>West Virginia First Foundation Board documents and policies</strong> (<a href="https://wvfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FILED-2023.05.17-Foundation-Articles-of-Incorporation-FINAL-M0491069-2xCECC6.pdf">Articles of Incorporation</a>; <a href="https://wvfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Bylaws-signed-JSJ.pdf">Bylaws</a>; <a href="https://wvfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Public-Access-Policy-West-Virginia-First-Foundation-20240202.pdf">Public Access Policy</a>; <a href="https://wvfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Expert-Panel-Policy-20240216.pdf">Expert Panel Policy</a>);  <strong>Other Controls</strong> (<a href="https://ago.wv.gov/Documents/2023-12-21%20Combined%20City%20and%20County%20Opioid%20Settlement%20Funds%20ltr%20and%20documents%20(Q0753915xD6D48).pdf#page=25">State Auditor County Guidance Regarding Accounting for Opioid Settlement Funds</a> and <a href="https://ago.wv.gov/Documents/2023-12-21%20Combined%20City%20and%20County%20Opioid%20Settlement%20Funds%20ltr%20and%20documents%20(Q0753915xD6D48).pdf#page=26">State Auditor Municipal Guidance Regarding Accounting for Opioid Settlement Funds</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><h4>72.5% West Virginia First Foundation Share</h4></td><td><h4>24.5% Local Share</h4></td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Ultimate Decisionmaker</strong></em></td><td><a href="https://wvfirst.org/"><strong>West Virginia First Foundation</strong></a> <a href="https://wvfirst.org/about-the-foundation/board-members/"><strong>Board of Directors</strong></a> (<em>for 80% of this share, or 58% of WV’s total fund</em>s) and <a href="https://wvfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2022.2.16-Final-MOU-Exhibits-REVISED-EX-C.pdf#page=25"><strong>Regions</strong></a> (<em>for 20% of this share, 14.5% of WV’s total funds</em>) </td><td><strong>Local officials</strong> for counties, cities, towns, and villages</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Decision-making Process</strong></em></td><td><p>The <strong>West Virginia First Foundation’s Board of Directors decides 80% of this share</strong> after evaluating needs and consulting the Board-appointed Expert Panel.</p><p><strong>The six</strong> <a href="https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/West_Virginia_First_MOU-compressed.pdf#page=25"><strong>Regions</strong></a> <strong>decide 20% of this share</strong> using their own governance structures, Regional Panels, and input from their local governments.</p></td><td><strong>Localities decide autonomously</strong></td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Supplantation</strong></em></td><td><strong>Not prohibited</strong></td><td><strong>Not prohibited</strong></td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Grant Funding</strong></em></td><td><strong>Yes.</strong> <em>See</em> the Foundation’s <a href="https://wvfirst.org/requests-for-proposals/">Requests for Proposals</a> page.</td><td><strong>Up to each locality</strong> (availability and processes will vary)</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Public Input</strong></em></td><td><strong>Not… yet?</strong> Public comments are required at the Foundation Board’s quarterly meetings, but the Board’s <a href="https://wvfirst.org/meeting-minutes/">minutes</a> have yet to include public comment periods. The Foundation’s regional expert panels are also required to engage with the public to identify funding priorities.</td><td><strong>Up to each locality</strong> (not required)</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Advisory Body</strong></em></td><td><p><strong>Yes</strong> (required). <em>See</em> the West Virginia First Foundation’s <a href="https://wvfirst.org/about-the-foundation/board-members/">Board</a>, State Expert Panel, and six Regional Expert Panels.</p><p>The State and Regional Expert Panels are required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience.</p></td><td><strong>Up to each locality</strong> (not required)</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Expenditures</strong></em></td><td><strong>Public reporting required.</strong> Bookmark the Foundation’s <a href="https://wvfirst.org/">website</a>.   </td><td><strong>Public reporting required.</strong> Bookmark the Foundation’s <a href="https://wvfirst.org/">website</a>.  </td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Updates</strong></em></td><td>For updates on the Foundation share, visit the West Virginia First Foundation’s <a href="https://wvfirst.org/">website</a>, which includes <a href="https://wvfirst.org/meeting-minutes/">meeting minutes</a>, a list of <a href="https://wvfirst.org/about-the-foundation/board-members/">current Board members</a>, and links to <a href="https://wvfirst.org/foundation-policies/">policies</a> that govern its activities.</td><td>To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the websites for your county commission, city council, or local health department. <em>See</em>, <em>e.g.</em>, <a href="https://www.cityofclarksburgwv.com/438/Opioid-Settlement-Funding-Requests">Clarksburg</a>, <a href="https://www.harrisoncountywv.com/opioid.aspx">Harrison County</a>, <a href="https://kanawha.us/opioid-settlement-funds/">Kanawha County</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>


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