April 27, 2026
Amy Woodis of the NorthWest Council of Local Governments and Hallie Norris, Mental Health Coordinator for Winfield City Schools, have demonstrated the power of collaboration in addressing the real-life challenges faced by families in their community. Woking together, the two leaders successfully secured more than $20,000 in grant funding to directly support four local families where children attend Winfield City Schools.
The funding came through the Opioid Kinship Project, a targeted initiative administered by the Area on Aging (AAA) in partnership with the Alabama Department of Senior Services. This one-time grant program is specifically designed to assist families in which grandparents or other older relatives have stepped into caregiving roles due to parental
substance disorder- a growing issue impacting communities across Alabama and the nation.
For many kinship caregivers, the transition into raising children again comes with unexpected financial strain. Recognizing this need, Woodis and Norris worked diligently to identify eligible families and guide them through the application process, ensuring they could access this critical support. The funds were distributed directly to meet urgent and practical needs. Families used the assistance for essential expenses such as car repairs to maintain reliable
transportation, home repairs to ensure safe living conditions, clothing for growing children, gas cards for daily travel, and payment of utility bills. These resources provided not just financial relief, but also stability during a time of significant adjustment.
The partnership highlights the importance of local leadership and cross-agency cooperation in addressing complex social challenges. By leveraging available resources and focusing on the well- being of students and their caregivers, Woodis and Norris have made a meaningful impact on the lives of these families-helping ensure that children in kinship care situations continue to have the support they need to succeed both at home and in school. Their efforts serve as a reminder that when communities come together with purpose, even limited, one-time funding opportunities can create lasting positive change.
The funding came through the Opioid Kinship Project, a targeted initiative administered by the Area on Aging (AAA) in partnership with the Alabama Department of Senior Services. This one-time grant program is specifically designed to assist families in which grandparents or other older relatives have stepped into caregiving roles due to parental
substance disorder- a growing issue impacting communities across Alabama and the nation.
For many kinship caregivers, the transition into raising children again comes with unexpected financial strain. Recognizing this need, Woodis and Norris worked diligently to identify eligible families and guide them through the application process, ensuring they could access this critical support. The funds were distributed directly to meet urgent and practical needs. Families used the assistance for essential expenses such as car repairs to maintain reliable
transportation, home repairs to ensure safe living conditions, clothing for growing children, gas cards for daily travel, and payment of utility bills. These resources provided not just financial relief, but also stability during a time of significant adjustment.
The partnership highlights the importance of local leadership and cross-agency cooperation in addressing complex social challenges. By leveraging available resources and focusing on the well- being of students and their caregivers, Woodis and Norris have made a meaningful impact on the lives of these families-helping ensure that children in kinship care situations continue to have the support they need to succeed both at home and in school. Their efforts serve as a reminder that when communities come together with purpose, even limited, one-time funding opportunities can create lasting positive change.