WVFF Partners with West Virginia University Team to Lead Statewide Needs Assessment

WEST VIRGINIA (March 23, 2026) – The West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) has selected a West Virginia University team, led by the Health Affairs Institute in partnership with the Institute for Policy Research and Public Affairs and Data Driven WV, to conduct a comprehensive, statewide Needs Assessment that will help guide the strategic and equitable allocation of opioid settlement funds across West Virginia. 

This $1.5 million investment will support an 18-month initiative designed to provide a clearer understanding of needs, gaps, and opportunities across the state. During the initiative’s first steering committee meeting, project partners selected the name West Virginia Wayfinder, reflecting a shared commitment to using data to help chart a clearer path forward for West Virginia.

WVFF released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the assessment in March 2025 and received more than 20 proposals from organizations nationwide. Following a rigorous review process, WVFF selected this West Virginia-based partnership for its combined expertise in public health research, data analytics, policy evaluation, and community-informed planning, along with a strong understanding of the state’s needs, systems, and opportunities.

“This is a critical investment in carrying out what WVFF was created to do, as our founding documents specifically call for statewide coordination that helps connect resources, information, and systems of care across West Virginia,” said Jonathan Board, WVFF Executive Director. “As WVFF continues to scale its impact, having a shared, data-driven understanding of where needs are greatest, where resources already exist, and where gaps remain will help inform future decisions. The WVU team brings both the technical expertise and statewide perspective needed to support that effort.”

The assessment will focus on data-driven methodologies to analyze the burden of addiction, evaluate existing services and funding sources, identify gaps in treatment and prevention, and develop a public-facing dashboard for real-time insights. Key objectives include:

• Establishing a common metric to measure burden of addiction at local and state levels.
• Mapping current funding and service availability to ensure equitable distribution.
• Identifying critical gaps in prevention and treatment services.
• Creating a user-friendly, public dashboard for transparency and data accessibility.
• Defining a standardized Health Return on Investment (HROI) for addiction-related services.
• Participating in the development of a statewide interoperable network.

“This partnership reflects HAI’s commitment to applied research that directly improves the health and well-being of West Virginians,” said Rebecca Gillam, Senior Research Scientist and Portfolio Director at WVU Health Affairs Institute. “By combining robust data analysis with community-informed insight, this assessment will provide practical tools to support smarter investments and stronger outcomes in addressing the burden of substance use disorder across the state.”

In coordination with this effort, WVFF provides a transparent view into how opioid settlement dollars are being deployed across West Virginia through its publicly accessible online platform. To date, nearly $40 million has been invested through WVFF’s grantmaking, supporting initiatives across the full continuum of care, including prevention, treatment, recovery, and workforce development. These investments are reaching communities statewide and providing direct support to organizations working on the front lines, ensuring resources are both accessible and aligned with the evolving needs of West Virginians. 

Results of the Needs Assessment, including the public dashboard, will be released upon completion and will inform future funding decisions and statewide planning efforts.

For more information, visit https://wvfirst.org/needs-assessment/.