U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY), a member of the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse, announced the award of more than $350,000 in total grant funds for two Staten Island health centers in his home district that provide substance abuse treatment and prevention services.
“Local, on-the-ground experts are best equipped to solve our opioid abuse epidemic – they just need the resources and tools to do so. That’s why these types of grants are so critical,” Donovan said.
The Community Health Center of Richmond and Beacon Christian Community Health Center will each receive $175,100 in grants. The funds will be allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
HHS has awarded $200 million to more than 1,000 health centers across the country to support treatment and prevention of opioid abuse. Those centers can use the funding to do more hiring, implement better technology and provide training all in an effort to improve services.
“These grants from HRSA go directly to local organizations, which are best situated to address substance abuse and mental health issues in their own communities,” said HHS Secretary Tom Price. He noted that both rural and urban areas have felt the impact of the opioid crisis.
Last year, Donovan supported the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, which became law and included $1 billion in grants for local programs that fight substance abuse.
“I’m thrilled to see advocacy in Congress translate to local resources that can have such an impact on families struggling with addiction,” Donovan said.
Dr. Janet Kim, chief medical officer at Beacon Christian Community Health Center, said, there is a great need for more mental health and substance abuse services in Staten Island’s North Shore communities.
“This assistance will help us to provide a much-needed service for our patients as a part of Beacon Christian Community Health Center’s whole-person care model, treating our community’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs,” Kim said.