Board hears proposal to host Game Changers opioid‑awareness program funded in part by county commission

Presenter (Speaker 3) told the board the county commission and the 911 center are proposing to invest opioid‑awareness funds in the district by sponsoring the Game Changers curriculum for middle and high school students. "Game Changers funds half of the cost of the program and then the county commission... would also fund the other half," the presenter said, adding that arrangement would make it "no cost to us in the county."

The presenter described Game Changers as a universal, level‑1 prevention curriculum delivered in schools and led locally by a hired "Game Changer coach." The program is explicitly educational and preventive — the presenter said it does not provide therapy or individualized treatment — and staff emphasized it targets awareness and peer leadership training. The presenter also noted that the program has been sponsored regionally and linked with community events and well‑known West Virginia figures; those partners would help fund and promote the effort, he said.

Board members asked logistical questions about sponsorship events, coach recruitment and how the program would be scheduled. The presenter said the county will provide a sample posting from another county for the Game Changer Coach role and staff will propose training dates once the posting and timeline are finalized.

The presenter framed the proposal as a partnership: the district would provide venues and student audiences while outside partners would supply curriculum, a coach and half of the funding. No contract or formal board approval was recorded during this session. The board did not vote on the proposal at this meeting; staff said they will return with a posting and proposed dates for training and implementation.