Virginia Department of Education Receives Over $1 Million in Grant Funding to Support Student Behavioral Health Through Opioid Prevention Initiatives

Richmond, VA - The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is one of eighteen state agencies in the Commonwealth to be awarded opioid settlement funding. Last month, the Grants Committee of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) announced VDOE will receive a total of $1,038,950 for its Opioid Abatement Education Plan (OAEP) ($520,250 - Year 3) and Virginia Recovery Schools Technical Assistance and Grant Program ($518,700 - Year 1).

"The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to receive this funding as we remain committed to addressing the opioid crisis through awareness and preventative education for students and families across the Commonwealth," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson. "This grant funding ensures that we are able to continue expanding and sustaining these critically important initiatives to help combat the ongoing public health epidemic impacting our youth. We appreciate the partnership with OAA and the oversight of the funding distribution from the grants committee that makes this ongoing work possible."

"Virginia continues to lead the way in awarding opioid settlement funds to projects that drive real results," said Chair of the Virginia OAA Board of Directors Senator Todd Pillion. "The Department of Education's Opioid Abatement Education Plan continues to expand evidence-based opioid prevention and education resources across the Commonwealth, helping to ensure today's youth understand the myriad of risks associated with these substances. The Recovery Schools Technical Assistance project provides resources to assist schools supporting youth with substance use issues, allowing them to have a stable place to recover and continue their education. With the OAA and General Assembly's help, Virginia has increased the number of recovery high schools from one to four in the past year."

This grant funding will enable VDOE's Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety to collaborate with educators to empower them in providing students with essential behavioral health skills and resources to navigate the challenges of misinformation and misuse of opioids. These efforts include technical assistance, planning resources, and financial assistance to school divisions implementing Recovery High Schools in Virginia. Additionally, VDOE has provided free training and materials to over 150 educators in 16 participating school divisions through an evidence-based curriculum aligned with the 2020 Health Standards of Learning.

"Waynesboro Public Schools, in partnership with Augusta County and Staunton City Schools, is grateful for the Virginia Department of Education's ongoing guidance and the OAA grant funding that made the River Ridge Learning Center possible," said Waynesboro Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Ryan Barber. "This support was instrumental in the school's successful opening on August 6, 2025, and will remain vital as we provide students in recovery with a safe, supportive, and academically rigorous environment to reclaim their futures, strengthen families, and build healthier communities."

"The technical assistance afforded to Virginia Beach City Public Schools, a leading member of the Region 2 recovery school, has been invaluable. With support from four other participating school divisions, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk city schools, the Harbor Hope Center is set to open on September 2, 2026," said Virginia Beach City Public Schools Executive Director of Student Support Services Robert B. Jamison. "From consultation and collaboration to professional learning, the Virginia Recovery School Technical Assistance and Grant Program helps to ensure students and families working through recovery receive consistent, evidence-based care and services across our region."

In 2022, Governor Youngkin introduced the Right Help, Right Now initiative, a comprehensive plan to transform Virginia's behavioral healthcare system. On November 1, 2023, the Governor issued Executive Order 28, prioritizing the safety and well-being of Virginia's children by mandating comprehensive guidance on addressing school-connected overdoses with a focus on parental notification within 24 hours of a school-related overdose event. VDOE's official guidance became final on July 31, 2025.

The awarded projects were selected through a competitive request for proposals (RFP) process and are the third allocation of OAA funds for state agencies. Funding for the OAA grants and awards is a result of Virginia's participation in numerous national settlements from manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other organizations in the sphere of prescription opioids.

For more information and resources on preventing and reducing youth substance misuse, visit the VDOE website.

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