$5M to help community health centers combat substance use disorders

Seventeen community health centers in Maine will receive almost $5 million through the Health Resources and Services Administration to help individuals and families overcome substance use disorders and improve mental health.

The awards, announced Wednesday in a joint statement by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, are being made to the following Maine organizations:

Sacopee Valley Health Center in Parsonsfield, $308,500.
Fish River Rural Health in Eagle Lake, $285,000.
Katahdin Valley Health Center in Patten, $285,000.
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.
Pines Health Services in Caribou, $142,000.
Maine Migrant Programs Inc. in Augusta, $285,000.
Harrington Family Health Center, $285,000.
York County Community Action Corp. in Sanford, $306,500.

The purpose of Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services funding is to support health centers in implementing and advancing evidence-based strategies to:

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
Expand access to quality integrated mental health services, with a focus on conditions that increase risk for, or co-occur, with substance use disorder.

“The opioid epidemic has already harmed far too many families and communities in Maine and throughout the country” Collins and King said 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.”