In partnership with PAXIS and Apportis, PAA will equip caregivers and family educators across seven Central Ohio counties in this two-year initiative
[COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 1, 2026] — Prevention Action Alliance (PAA) has been approved for $199,251.50 in grant funding from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation to launch the Resilient Families: Kinship Caregiver Support Program, a 24-month initiative serving families across Delaware, Fairfield, Knox, Licking, Marion, Morrow, and Union counties.
The program will equip kinship caregivers and family educators supporting children affected by a loved one’s opioid use disorder with evidence-based prevention strategies, trauma-informed resources, and accessible digital support. Prevention Action Alliance will lead the initiative in partnership with PAXIS Institute and Apportis.
“When a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other relative steps in to care for a child affected by a loved one’s opioid use, they often take on that responsibility with little preparation or support. Through this partnership, caregivers will gain practical strategies they can use at home, while community educators will be equipped to extend that support throughout their communities. Our goal is to help caregivers feel more confident and ensure children have the stability and support they need to thrive.”
Over the grant period, PAXIS Institute will provide PAX Tools Family Educator training for 40 family educators and PAX Tools for Caregiver workshops for 80 kinship caregivers. Participants will learn strategies they can incorporate into everyday routines to support children’s self-regulation, problem-solving, prosocial behavior, and healthy development.
“PAX Tools Caregiver Workshops provide grandparents, relatives, foster parents, and other caring adults with practical, effective, trauma-informed, evidence-based behavioral strategies to reduce conflict, strengthen relationships, build cooperation, and help young people develop self-regulation skills. PAXIS Institute is honored to partner with Prevention Action Alliance and Apportis to bring this support to families across Region 18,”
Participants will also receive access to a Kinship Care Digital Toolkit delivered through Apportis. Designed for low-bandwidth access, the toolkit will include Know! Conversation Starter audio content and guides to help caregivers address trauma, mental health concerns, and substance use risks. The project will connect families to support through county job and family services agencies, behavioral health boards, treatment and recovery providers, and other community partners.
"Technology should break down barriers to support, not build new ones. Through our partnership with Prevention Action Alliance, the Resilient Platform ensures kinship caregivers can easily access evidence-based toolkits, crisis resources, and guidance, even in low-bandwidth areas, so families get the help they need without technology getting in the way."
By the end of the project, 40 family educators will be certified, 80 kinship caregivers will complete workshops, and all participants will have access to the digital toolkit. Prevention Action Alliance and its partners will also strengthen regional referral pathways and evaluate changes in caregiver knowledge, confidence, and use of prevention strategies. Trained educators, caregivers, and digital resources are expected to extend the program’s reach to thousands of families throughout Region 18.
The award is part of a $45.7 million regional grant funding opportunity from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation and the Foundation’s second round of regional grants. Grant recipients are selected through a locally driven review process that focuses on evidence-informed strategies to address substance use disorder.
Resilient Families: Kinship Caregiver Support Program was made possible thanks to the support of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation.
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About Prevention Action Alliance
Prevention Action Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through prevention education and advocacy. For nearly 40 years, the Alliance has helped individuals, families, and communities build the knowledge, skills, and systems needed to prevent substance misuse and promote healthy development. Learn more at preventionactionalliance.org.
About PAXIS Institute
Founded in 1998, PAXIS Institute delivers proven, solution-focused strategies that support youth and the adults who care for them. By partnering with communities and increasing access to research-based prevention science, PAXIS works to improve lifelong outcomes and foster peace, productivity, health, and happiness. Learn more at paxis.org.
About Apportis
Apportis develops secure digital behavioral health solutions that connect individuals and families with evidence-based mental health tools, prevention resources, and community support. Its mobile-friendly Resilient Platform is designed to work with or without broadband connectivity, helping families, schools, workplaces, and communities access resources and build resilience. Learn more at apportis.com.
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. Learn more at OneOhioFoundation.com.