Mental health, substance use services receive state, federal funding
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The state this week announced a new funding push of $76 million to create and bolster initiatives offering crisis response and substance use disorder services for Hoosiers.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction will disperse funding to local governments and community mental health centers. The payouts stem from the American Rescue Plan Act and the National Opioid Settlement.
Centerstone of Indiana, Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare and 13 other community health centers will split $57 million in Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Services grants. The state’s goal is to develop an integrated crisis response system to make it easier for Hoosiers to contact helpful responders and further build on the state’s “no wrong door” communication approach.
The other $19 million was given to 30 local governments, service providers and community organizations for evidence-based prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction services.
“Currently, too many Hoosiers experiencing a mental health crisis end up in emergency departments or county jails,” DMHA director Jay Chaudhary said in a news release. “These grants will help bridge gaps and offer a therapeutic and compassionate alternative pathway for individuals and communities in crisis.”
The state expects to receive $507 million over 18 years through the national opioid settlement and will divide fund appropriations through a local government matching program.
“While the state has a role to play in the fight against the drug epidemic, real change happens at the local level”, said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director for drug prevention, treatment and enforcement for the State of Indiana, in a news release.