Rep. Katko Announces $4 Million in Federal Funds to Expand Mental Health & Substance Use Treatment Services in Wayne County

SYRACUSE, NY— U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) today announced Wayne County will receive $4 million in federal funds to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment services amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This funding is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). With this new award, Wayne County will expand their mental health, suicide prevention, and substance use treatment services, including their telehealth offerings. In Congress, Rep. Katko serves as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus and has long championed federal efforts to expand access to mental health and substance use treatment services, including through his advocacy for robust funding for SAMHSA programming. Most recently, Rep. Katko reintroduced three bipartisan bills to support those struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders amid the ongoing pandemic, including the Emergency Support for Substance Use Disorders Act, a bill that would provide emergency grants to counties and community-based organizations that serve individuals with substance use disorders.

“Throughout our region, we continue to see troubling increases in the rate of mental illness, as well as the sustained and devastating impact of the opioid epidemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these conditions, increasing the demand for care, while simultaneously creating new constraints for service providers,” said Rep. Katko. “To address these challenges, I’m pleased to announce Wayne County will receive $4 million in funds from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). With these funds, Wayne County will expand their mental health and substance use treatment services, including telehealth services, to ensure residents in Wayne County can safely access treatment during the pandemic.”

James Haitz, LCSW-R, Wayne County Director of Community Mental Health Services said, “The announcement of the SAMHSA award couldn’t come at a better time in light of the struggles being felt from the COVID related stresses and emotional fall out that individuals in our community are trying to cope with, along with the rising numbers of opioid related overdoses and deaths. This award will provide the necessary funding to allow us to make a significant impact and help the people in our community who are struggling with addiction and mental health problems, including those who are suffering from an opioid addiction, and to also help those family members and close friends who are suffering right along with their loved ones as they try to cope with the impacts of these problems on their families.”
 

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