RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced a $5.7 million investment to help increase access to substance use services in North Carolina.
According to a news release, 12 community-based organizations were awarded funding for programs that need it most.
“We must not let up in the fight to help more people live healthy, happy lives free of addiction,” said Governor Josh Stein in a news release. “By funding community-based programs that provide treatment and recovery services, we are helping more North Carolinians get on a path to recovery and strengthening public safety.”
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NCDHHS says funds came from the federal Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services Block Grant that provides support to states and territories to prevent and treat substance use.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will administer the grant program while NCDHHS administers the state grant recipients.
According to the release, awards range from $287,000 to $500,000, with the possibility of similar funding for up to two more years based on the availability of federal funds.
“More than 1.4 million people in North Carolina struggle with substance use,” said North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai in a news release. “While we have made strides in reducing emergency room visits and overdoses in North Carolina, our work continues toward a goal of increasing access to care, particularly in areas where there are gaps in services like rural or low-income communities.”
With the funding, the 12 awardees will fund multiple services in rural areas, including:
Crisis co-response teamsTreatment and prevention for youthTransitional and recovery housingPeer supportMobile outreachOther evidence-based treatments and supports
The release says several programs will support Governor Stein’s Executive Order 33, which is meant to improve behavioral health care and public safety in North Carolina, including aiming to prioritize increasing access to mental health care for people involved in the justice system in North Carolina.
“NCDHHS is committed to meeting people where they are, both physically and mentally, in their substance use recovery journey,” said NCDHHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services Kelly Crosbie, in a news release. “Ensuring everyone has access to the same level of care is critical for building a system of care that supports all North Carolinians.”
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The following organizations received awards:
Cabarrus Health AllianceFreedom House Recovery CenterSMART Recovery USAThe NC Survivors UnionBenevolence FarmHealing Transitions, Inc.Insight Human ServicesMetropolitan Community Health ServicesEl FuturoBlue Ridge HealthGranville Vance Public HealthUnited Katehnuaka Longhouse
The release says that the initiative is part of the NCDHHS goal to support a coordinated system of substance use care that makes services readily available when and where they are needed.