NELSONVILLE, Ohio — The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, in partnership with the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville, is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity intended to address the social, economic, educational and health challenges faced by young people in Appalachian Ohio.

Given the critical role of childhood development on lifelong well-being, and the extraordinary challenges youth face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, FAO’s I’m a Child of Appalachia Fund and OHFN are inviting proposals designed to support nonprofit and public organizations, including public schools, working to address these challenges and foster youth resiliency.

Up to $350,000 is available through this funding opportunity; grant awards are anticipated to range from $10,000 to $30,000 per organization. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 14 and are available at www.AppalachianOhio.org/Youth.

“At FAO, we have long known that there is no greater investment we could make than in the young people of our region,” said FAO’s President and CEO Cara Dingus Brook. “This philosophy is why we created the I’m a Child of Appalachia campaign 15 years ago, and it’s why we continue to emphasize opportunities for youth today.”

Public and nonprofit organizations in all 32 Appalachian Ohio counties are eligible to apply for projects focused on building resiliency for youth, from preschool age through age 18.

Priority will be given to organizations focused on young people who experience risk factors that jeopardize their ability to thrive and achieve.

“The disruption and uncertainties caused by COVID-19 have exacerbated the challenges vulnerable youth are already facing at home, school, or in their communities,” said Susan Beaudry, Vice President at the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville. “There is no more important time to focus on youth resiliency.”

Projects will encourage the development of protective factors among young people.

Examples of protective factors supporting youth include academic success; emotional self-regulation; coping and problem-solving skills; increased self-esteem; supportive relationships with family members; connecting with mentors; physical and psychological safety; or engagement and connections with school, peers, employment, or community — including the ability to connect through technology.

The 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio include Adams, Ashtabula, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mahoning, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington counties. OHFN’s service area includes Athens, Hocking, Jackson, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Ross, Vinton, and Washington counties.

Applications are due on Oct. 14, and funding decisions will be announced by Nov. 16. More information is available at www.AppalachianOhio.org/Youth.