The Wheeling Police Department is excited to announce its selection as a recipient of the inaugural Opportunity Grant from the West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF).

In late December, the foundation awarded the department a grant of $463,633.60. These funds will be used to support the newly established 24-Hour Crisis Response Unit (CRU), designed to assist individuals facing substance use disorders or mental health challenges.

Jonathan Board, Executive Director of the West Virginia First Foundation, praised the work of the Wheeling PD. “Organizations like the Wheeling Police Department are at the heart of our mission to empower communities and combat the effects of substance use disorder. Their dedication to creating positive change is inspiring, and we are honored to support their efforts through the Initial Opportunity Grant.”

The WVFF’s inaugural Opportunity Grant will fund two civilian roles within the Crisis Response Unit: a director, currently held by Katie Hughes and a social worker.

These new team members will collaborate closely with the existing CRU Team, which includes two Peer Recovery Support Specialists, funded by First Choice Services, and a Victim Advocate. Together, the expanded Crisis Response Unit will offer more specialized, coordinated responses, enhancing outcomes for individuals in need while reinforcing community trust and safety.

The grant will also fund comprehensive training for officers and first responders across West Virginia First Foundation Region 1, which includes Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, and Wetzel counties.

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The training will focus on best practices in crisis intervention, communication skills, and non-lethal response strategies. The Crisis Response Unit will also partner with Marshall University, West Virginia Hope in Action as well as First Choice Services to expand CIT collaboratively across the state.

“We could not be more honored to be one of the initial recipients of this grant through the West Virginia First Foundation,” said Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger.

“Sections of our mission statement reflect the importance of collaborative efforts and our commitment to being a leader and model law enforcement agency in our state and region. This grant opportunity will allow us to build on both. Together, our sworn and civilian staff, along with many other professionals in this fight, will positively impact the lives of many. As a leader in the law enforcement profession, we will work closely with others, share knowledge and experience, and promote best practices in crisis response and mitigation. I look forward to watching this initiative grow and witnessing the many positive impacts it will have.”

Katie Hughes, WPD’s Crisis Response Unit Director added, “The mission of the Wheeling Police Department’s Crisis Response Unit is deeply personal, as we know firsthand the impact of the ongoing opioid epidemic in our area. We appreciate the West Virginia First Foundation’s decision to award us funding for this unit and are ready now more than ever to get to work. The WPD Crisis Unit will be relentless in reaching those in crisis, educating others about crisis response, and targeting risk factors such as mental health disorders that contribute to addiction.”

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The WVFF Initial Opportunity Grant underscores the Foundation’s dedication to investing in organizations and initiatives that address the opioid epidemic and its far-reaching impacts across the state. The Wheeling Police Department is honored to be part of this mission and is committed to using this funding to drive meaningful change.

To learn more about the West Virginia First Foundation, visit wvfirst.org.

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