In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing process for evaluating and recommending grant awards for behavioral health services in Landwood County. Amy Martonis, the director of behavioral health services, and Jessica Plummer, the Grant Manager, outlined the annual grant cycle, which opened for applications from June 1 to June 30.

This year, the program received a record 84 applications, with 77 advancing to the subject matter expert review stage. The review process involves a thorough evaluation of each application based on alignment with funding priorities, organizational capacity, and potential community impact. A diverse panel of 22 external reviewers assessed the applications, dedicating approximately 173 hours to the task.

Despite the high number of applications, the available funding of $2.8 million falls short of the total requested amount of $7.4 million. The executive review panel is tasked with prioritizing recommendations to create a funding portfolio that addresses the most pressing needs while considering the limited resources.

The meeting highlighted the increasing demand for behavioral health services and the importance of a structured evaluation process to ensure that funds are allocated effectively. As the number of applications and requested funding continues to rise, officials emphasized the need for ongoing assessment and adaptation of the grant process to meet community needs.