Gov. Beshear announces over $39M in funding to fight addiction, grow mental health services
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear announced over $39.3 million in federal funding Thursday for opioid response efforts and mental health services in Kentucky.
The opioid response program will receive a $35.9 million grant to tackle addiction and support recovery statewide, according to a release by Beshear’s office. The release further states the commonwealth will receive an additional $3.4 million for behavioral health services for victims of last December’s storms and tornadoes.
“These funds will allow us to help more Kentuckians suffering from addiction as well as help those who lived through the deadliest tornado outbreak in our history recuperate from the trauma they experienced,” said Beshear. “These have been challenging times, but Kentuckians are good people … tough people … resilient people. And these challenges cannot break us – we will overcome and rebuild together.”
The State Opioid Response grant for $35,912,100 from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will help address opioid addiction and the overdose epidemic. The program supplies funding for growing access to FDA-approved medications for the opioid addiction treatment and for supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery support services.
The program also helps provide care for drug abuse, including for cocaine and methamphetamine. It will also assist in reducing overdose deaths and closing the gap in treatment needs by providing funding for evidence-based practices and supports.
In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Case Management Program has approved $3,429,000 to boost existing disaster assistance in areas of the state impacted by last December’s storms and tornadoes.
The following 16 counties will be eligible for long-term recovery mental health group activities: Barren, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services will contract with Community Action of Kentucky to manage and coordinate the program.
“In our work to restore and renew storm-stricken parts of our state, we have an obligation to prioritize behavioral needs and mental wellness,” said CHFS Secretary Eric Friedlander. “We are pleased to be a part of this collaborative approach that will assist people who have suffered greatly.”
Storm victims will be linked to assistance with employment, home repair, financial assistance, health coverage, food assistance and more.
For more information about the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort, visit the program’s web page or call 502-782-7691.
For information about mental health assistance for storm victims, locate your county on this Community Action of Kentucky map, which lists contact information.
