The Washoe Opioid Abatement and Recovery Fund (WOARF) has launched a new dashboard to track grant awards from this special fund developed to combat the impacts of opioid use in Washoe County.
Additionally, the WOARF team is seeking public input from community members to help understand and address the needs of the community. The Opioid Use Needs Assessment Community Survey is critical in shaping how Washoe County allocates resources and invests in long-term solutions.
WOARF was established with the proceeds from settlements with opioid manufacturers and prescribers under the One Nevada Agreement. Washoe County will receive approximately $41 million over the next 20 years to address the opioid epidemic through evidence-based, strategic initiatives in alignment with community needs. WOARF emphasizes community engagement and evidence-based strategies to address the opioid crisis.
“The opioid crisis has claimed many lives and done irreversible harm to our community. While no amount of funding can undo the loss, these resources offer a critical opportunity for healing and restoration. But that healing must be guided by the voices of those most affected. Through the Needs Assessment and Community Survey, we will ensure that the priorities for 2026–2030 reflect the lived experiences, wisdom, and leadership of our community,” Lauren Beal, Grants and Community Program analyst, said.
Washoe County is centering its efforts with input from those with lived experience, and approaching opioid use and co-occurring mental health disorders from a holistic perspective.
Recipients of WOARF grants fill the needs of the community by meeting the strategic priorities identified in the 2023-2025 Opioid Use Needs Assessment. These include bringing treatment services to the uninsured and underinsured; using a multi-disciplinary approach to providing overdose prevention, inclusive of under-resourced communities in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, and providing support to families impacted by substance use, among other priorities that can be found here.
An example is the $1 million to Washoe County Human Services Agency for the soon-to-open Crossroads Families facility. There is a proven track record of success at the Men’s and Women’s Crossroads programs, and this new family-centered approach brings child welfare best practices to support family stability and reunification. The facility, which will open in May, offers a holistic environment where families can rebuild relationships while receiving comprehensive support as they transition to independent living as a whole family unit.
Other examples include the nearly $1 million grant to Northern Nevada HOPES for an opioid treatment program at its new East Fourth Street Clinic; nearly $1 million to Bristlecone Family Resources to build a 20-bed medical detox center in Reno; and $300,000 to Ridge House LLC for outpatient services including therapy, therapy, peer support, case management, family therapy, couples counseling, and aftercare, for those involved the legal system.
View the interactive dashboard here to learn more about WOARF-funded projects to ameliorate the harms of the opioid epidemic in our community. Residents who impacted by opioid use or who are concerned about opioid use in the community should please consider taking this important needs assessment survey.
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