Thrive has been approved for $226,601.93 in grant funding from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation to support its efforts to address substance use disorders and strengthen prevention, treatment, recovery, and community resilience initiatives, Emily Pastorius VP Human Resources announced today.
“We’re thrilled to receive this grant, which will let us invest directly in our interns and prepare them to become certified peer supporters serving Hamilton County — building a stronger, more resilient workforce from the ground up.” With the grant award approved, Thrive looks forward to finalizing its grant agreement and putting these funds to work in the community.
The grant is part of a $45.7 million regional funding opportunity awarded by the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, supporting the Foundation’s mission to advance addiction prevention, treatment, recovery, and community resilience throughout Ohio. This marks the second round of regional grants distributed by the Foundation. The funding is supported by 55 percent of the funds Ohio is receiving from the pharmaceutical industry in connection with its role in the nation’s opioid epidemic.
OneOhio funding will enable Thrive Peer Recovery Services to expand its proven peer workforce development model into Hamilton County, helping address the region’s behavioral health workforce shortage through the recruitment, training, and certification of 50 Peer Recovery Supporters. Over the two-year initiative, participants will complete Recovery Coach training, paid internships with local host agencies, and support toward state certification and employment, creating a pathway for individuals with lived experience to enter the behavioral health workforce. By building strong partnerships with community organizations and providers, Thrive aims to establish a sustainable, Medicaid-reimbursable peer support workforce that strengthens recovery services throughout Hamilton County.
The grant awarded to Thrive demonstrates the Foundation’s continued commitment to investing in organizations working directly with individuals, families, and communities impacted by substance use disorder. These investments help strengthen local prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives while supporting healthier and more resilient communities throughout Ohio.
“Thrive is an example of the dedicated, top-notch organizations working across Ohio every day to help individuals, families, and communities impacted by substance use disorder,” said Alisha Nelson, Executive Director of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation.
“These new grant awards build on the momentum of our first cycle and represent another meaningful opportunity for Ohioans to come together and create lasting change,” Nelson said. “Through these investments, we can expand hope, strengthen recovery, and provide local organizations on the frontlines with the resources they need to reach and support more individuals and families.”
Grant recipients are chosen through a rigorous, community-focused review process that prioritizes evidence-informed approaches to addressing substance use disorder. Regional volunteers, the OneOhio Expert Panel, and the Foundation’s Board of Directors collaborate throughout the process to ensure funding decisions are responsive to local needs while upholding transparency and accountability.
The second grant cycle follows the success of the Foundation’s inaugural grant cycle, which awarded more than $45 million across 240 projects throughout Ohio. Those investments supported a variety of evidence-informed efforts, including youth prevention initiatives, school-based mental health services, recovery housing, expanded treatment services, post-overdose outreach, and behavioral health workforce development.
A complete list of Regional Grant Cycle 2 recipients can be found here.
Organizations and groups interested in future funding opportunities can visit OneOhioFoundations.com/Grants to learn more and sign up to receive updates on upcoming grant cycles.
About the OneOhio Recovery Foundation
The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation created under the leadership of Governor Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost, and other state and local leaders, with the mission of advancing Ohio’s addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts now and into the future.
The Foundation is governed by a 29-member board from across Ohio and is funded by 55 percent of settlement funds that Ohio is receiving from the pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its role in the national opioid epidemic. Funds support local efforts to prevent and combat addiction and are also invested to support those efforts for the long term.
Media Inquiry Contact: Montana Banner Director Project Management & Communications – mbanner@thrivepeersupport.com
