DeLauro Announces Grants to Fight Opioid Epidemic

March 11, 2016
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC (March 11, 2016) — Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) announced more than $1 million in new Health Center Substance Abuse Service Expansion Awards, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Three organizations in Connecticut's 3rd Congressional District will receive a total of $1,137,500 in funding to address the ongoing opioid epidemic.

"The Health Center Substance Abuse Service Expansion Awards will help Connecticut's health centers and clinics better address the ongoing opioid epidemic affecting communities across our state," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. "At a time when Connecticut loses hundreds of citizens every year to overdoses, and thousands more are currently addicted or in recovery, we must do everything we can to address the issue.

"As I meet with community leaders across the state, I hear one consistent message: we must do more for treatment programs and expand their access," continued DeLauro. "While these grants will make a positive difference in our communities, Congress should pass the Access to Substance Abuse Treatment Act, a bill that I am introducing soon that will provide $1 billion a year to support community clinics and expand access to treatment for individuals with a history of substance abuse."

The following organizations in Connecticut's 3rd Congressional District will receive awards:

  • Community Health Center, Inc., Middletown, Connecticut: $379,167
  • Cornell Scott Hill Health Corporation, New Haven, Connecticut: $406,250
  • Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut: $352,083

The purpose of the FY 2016 Health Center Substance Abuse Service Expansion Awards is to improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services at existing health centers, including medication assisted treatment, with a focus on treatment of opioid use disorders. The funding will help health centers better address the substance abuse treatment needs within their communities. The $94 million investment is expected to help awardees across the country hire approximately 800 providers to treat nearly 124,000 new patients.

DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

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