photo by: Joselyn King

Ohio County Commissioner Randy Wharton, left, Commission President Zach Abraham, and Commissioner Don Nickerson review information during Tuesday’s commission meeting.

WHEELING — The Wheeling Housing Authority wants to keep the formerly homeless people they have assisted living in their new residences, and they are seeking grant funding for additional case managers to help guide them into necessary skills.

The Wheeling Housing Authority needed the Ohio County Commission’s approval to apply for $104,104 in opioid funds from West Virginia First. Commissioners unanimously gave their consent Tuesday morning.

The money, if received, would be used to hire two case management/community navigation specialist positions to guide those formerly homeless in the transition to living in their own space.

The caseworkers would work in cooperation with crisis agencies by providing case management, crisis intervention and service coordination for individuals and their families affected by opioid use disorder or related behavioral health issues.

The grant dollars will cover the cost of the initiative for one year, then it is expected other social security agencies would apply and take on the duty.

Commissioner Don Nickerson said the request “makes sense” in terms of use of opioid dollars. Commission President Zach Abraham wanted more information, and to know how quickly the program could be executed.

Shelly Soles — currently the only case management/community navigation specialist with the Wheeling Housing Authority — responded that the additional caseworkers could be on the job as soon as Dec. 1.

“What happens is the homeless — they get housed, and they don’t have services. Then they get evicted,” she explained. “Our goal is to eliminate the barriers and keep them housed.”

Having two more workers to assist would “help keep a lot more people housed,” she added.

“What we find is there is a lack of case management in the agency,” Soles explained. “We’re getting folks housed or off the streets. If they need to deal with recovery or mental health issues that is happening, but once we get them into housing that is it. Folks are coming with just the clothes on their backs.

“They don’t know how to grocery shop or manage their bills. This would allow case managers to follow them around and make sure they stay housed.”

Nickerson asked if the authority had applied for additional funding to keep the program going after one year.

Soles said they had not, but did intend to do so. County officials strongly encouraged this to happen.

Commissioner Randy Wharton told her one of the requirements of such a grant is that the applicant typically makes a commitment to fund the program once the grant funding expires. He indicated he would be inclined to support the request if the Wheeling Housing Authority did so.

Soles added that local grant writer Tina Morris was assisting them in the endeavor. She explained collaboration with other social service agencies was going to be necessary if the authority is to sustain the grant.

“After a year, another agency will be applying for the funds from West Virginia First, working in collaboration with the city of Wheeling’s Crisis Response unit,” Soles said.

In other matters, commissioners also gave their approval for the county to apply for an American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals grant for $61,500. Money would be used for the upgrading of kennels both inside and outside at the animal shelter.

The commissioners met at 8 a.m. on Tuesday at a time different from their traditional 6 p.m. slot. They agreed the 8 a.m. time would continue at least until the end of the year.

Commissioners are scheduled to meet at 8 a.m. on Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 and Dec. 15.