Health agencies get $715K

SANDUSKY — Ongoing federal grants worth about $715,000 in total have gone to local agencies for substance abuse and mental health treatment. This would include the: • Erie County Health Department receiving a $375,000 grant for community-based substance abuse services. • Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Erie County receiving about $340,500 for assisted outpatient treatment. The new grants were announced by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, who also publicized grants for the Toledo area, mostly focusing on medical research. "Our local health centers, programs and medical research initiatives strengthen our communities and are living proof of the life-saving power of community action and scientific innovation," Kaptur said. Kaptur, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, said that in May, she was able to secure more than $7.7 million of similar grants for local health centers, Head Start and medical research. Erie County Health Department Trey Hardy, assistant health commissioner for Erie County, identified the health department's grant as coming from the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program from the U.S. Justice Department. It's an ongoing program, and the health department has received past program grants, Hardy explained. Hardy said the new money will allow the health department to provide its programs to treat substance abuse for more people who either lack health insurance or are underinsured. Those treatment programs include the health department's detox center, inpatient treatment at Kaptur House, outpatient programs, counseling programs and treatment for jail inmates, Hardy said. Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Erie County Diane Taylor, executive director of Erie County's services board, said her agency's new grant also is part of an ongoing grant program. According to Taylor, the: • Newly announced funds are for the third year of a four-year grant cycle • Money will help cover the costs of an ongoing program that aims to help people with mental health problems who have been jailed multiple times or hospitalized more than once • Program is a collaboration that also involves Firelands Health and the local court system