May 13, 2020

Duckworth, Durbin Announce $14 Million to Expand Behavioral Health Service, Strengthen COVID-19 Response

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that four treatment providers and community health clinics in Illinois will receive a total of $14 million in federal grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand behavioral health care services and help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants – which are partially funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – will be used to increase access to and to improve the quality of community mental and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services.

 “While Illinoisans and Americans continue to isolate and stay at home, mental health and substance abuse treatment is a critical part of our healthcare system’s response in helping Americans deal with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Duckworth said. “I’ll keep working with Senator Durbin to make sure these programs have the federal resources and support they need during this crisis to serve Illinoisans in need.”

“As the pandemic continues to challenge our entire health care system, it’s critical that people are able to access mental health and substance abuse treatment, especially given the strains from isolation and economic distress. This federal funding will help ensure that these comprehensive services are available in all parts of our state,” Durbin said. “Senator Duckworth and I will continue working to provide much-needed federal relief to Illinois during this unprecedented crisis.”

The following Illinois organizations will receive funding:

  • Centerstone of Illinois (Alton): $4,000,000
  • Chestnut Health Systems (Bloomington): $2,000,000
  • Egyptian Health Department (Eldorado): $4,000,000
  • Robert Young Center (Moline): $4,00,000

The CARES Act provided an additional $250 million in emergency COVID-19 funding to SAMHSA to increase access to mental health services through Community Behavioral Health Clinics, suicide prevention programs, and emergency response spending that can target support where it is most needed, such as outreach to those experiencing homelessness. SAMHSA receives an additional $200 million in annually appropriated funding.