YOUNGSTOWN — Alta Care Group has been awarded a $123,151 grant from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation to expand the YouthMOVE program in Mahoning County.

YouthMOVE (Motivating Others through Voices of Experience) is a national youth organization with chapters across the U.S. dedicated to enhancing services and systems to foster youth inclusion, mental wellness and healthy transitions.

Locally, Alta operates the Mahoning County Chapter of YouthMOVE Ohio. The funding will help grow its reach by expanding services to youth 12 to 17 years old.

Alta plans to launch a six-week after-school program, facilitated by certified youth peer supporters, that incorporates new curriculum and integrates positive social and recreational activities in a clublike setting, according to a press release. The sessions will be once a week for two hours and focus on skill development, prevention activities and understanding peer influence.

Additional programs that are planned include Esports tournaments and gaming sessions, arts and crafts workshops, outdoor activities, music and jam sessions and further engagement in community projects and initiatives, the release states.

“The programs and services of YouthMOVE are complementary to everything we do at Alta Care Group, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to expand that reach even further,” Joe Shorokey, CEO of Alta Care Group, said.

The grant is part of the first round of about $51 million made available by the foundation as part of its mission to combat the opioid epidemic by supporting prevention, treatment and recovery programs and services.