Your browser doesn't support audio playback.
Nearly $2 million will go to help West Virginia children and teens impacted by the opioid crisis.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Justice in the form of a grant. It goes through the DOJ’s Mentoring for Youth Affected by Opioid and Other Substance Use section to the West Virginia Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program.
West Virginia has had a disproportionate number of citizens affected by the opioid crisis, according to the National Institutes of Health. Many of their children experience early childhood trauma, or disrupted home lives, and are placed with friends, relatives or land in the foster care system.
The funds will be used to train additional volunteers who are appointed by a judge to advocate for children who’ve been victims of abuse or neglect. After meeting with children, volunteers speak on their behalf in court and testify as to what would serve each child’s best interest.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the funds.
“For years, West Virginia has faced the devastating consequences of the drug epidemic, and we have seen it impact our youth in too many cases,” Capito said. “This grant will provide resources for the West Virginia CASA Association to enhance mentoring services needed by children and youth affected by this epidemic.”
CASA West Virginia hopes to have volunteers in each of West Virginia’s 55 counties.