The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (VOAA) grant is a statewide initiative that provides financial support to communities battling the opioid epidemic. Starting in 2022, Virginia will receive annual opioid settlement funds until at least 2039. These funds originate from settlements with pharmaceutical companies and are allocated based on legal agreements, a statewide agreement, and state law. As part of this initiative, local organizations and community stakeholders can apply for funding to implement solutions that help reduce opioid addiction and its devastating effects on our communities.
A Collaborative Approach
The City of Roanoke and Roanoke County are pleased to announce a streamlined process for VOAA grant applications through a partnership with Roanoke Valley Collective Response (RVCR). Submit a pre-application through the RVCR website to facilitate the application process. This will help expedite the review of applications and identify potential opportunities for collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I complete the pre-application?
The pre-application asks for basic information about your project, including:
- Organization and contact information
- A brief project narrative (500 words or less)
- Preliminary budget projections
You can start and stop the application at any time and generate a link to return to it later. The link is active for 30 days.
What's next in the process?
Each pre-application will undergo a thorough review process to assess its feasibility and potential impact. Here’s what you can expect:
- Initial Review: A Community-Informed Review Panel will evaluate your pre-application based on a standardized rubric that determines how well your project meets the goals of the Blueprint for Action, Building on Hope White Paper, and VOAA criteria (see the References section, below, to a list of documents that will be used in the scoring of your pre-app). You will receive your rubric score upon completion of this initial review.
- Detailed Review: All pre-applications, regardless of their initial score, will be forwarded to the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County for a more comprehensive evaluation.
- Guidance and Support: If a partner locality selects your application to move forward, the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County will provide guidance and support throughout the subsequent phases of submitting an application to VOAA in early 2025.
- Final Selection: The City of Roanoke and Roanoke County will submit their recommendations to the VOAA for consideration. The VOAA has sole discretion over final award decisions.
What is a Community Informed Review Panel?
An independent review committee that includes industry experts and individuals closely affected by the opioid crisis.
