WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced Oct. 10 that 17 community health centers in Maine will receive a total of $4,980,138 through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Expanding Access to Quality Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services (SUD-MH) awards. This funding will better equip health centers to help individuals and families overcome substance use disorders and improve mental health.
In Aroostook County, Fish River Rural Health in Eagle Lake and Katahdin Valley Health Center in Patten will each receive $285,000, while Pines Health Services in Caribou will receive $142,000.
“The opioid epidemic has already harmed far too many families and communities in Maine and throughout the country” said Collins and King in a joint statement. “Community health centers are on the front lines in fighting this epidemic. We are pleased that this funding will support their mission to help those struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders.”
The following Maine centers also received funding: Sacopee Valley Health Center in Parsonsfield, $308,500; Sebasticook Family Doctors in Newport, $285,000; Portland Community Health Center, $293,750; Regional Medical Center at Lubec Inc., $300,000; St. Croix Regional Family Health Center in Princeton, $289,250; Bucksport Regional Health Center. $261,388; DFD Russell Medical Center in Leeds, $285,000; Healthreach Community Health Centers in Waterville, $391,000; Health Access Network, Inc. in Lincoln, $297,250; Penobscot Community Health Center Inc. in Bangor, $388,250; Islands Community Medical Services Inc. in Vinalhaven, $292,250; Maine Migrant Programs Inc. in Augusta, $285,000; Harrington Family Health Center, $285,000; and York County Community Action Corporation in Sanford, $306,500.
According to the senators’ joint press statement, the purpose of SUD-MH funding is to support health centers in implementing and advancing evidence-based strategies to: 1) Expand access to quality integrated substance use disorder prevention and treatment services, including those addressing opioid use disorder, to best meet the health needs of the population served by the health center; and 2) Expand access to quality integrated mental health services, with a focus on conditions that increase risk for, or co-occur with substance use disorder.
