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USDA Partners with Communities to Support Opioid Treatment, Prevention and Recovery Services in Rural America

Name
Daniel Shields
Email
Daniel.Shields@pa.usda.gov
Phone
(717) 237-2286
City
Washington
Release Date

USDA Partners with Communities to Support Opioid Treatment, Prevention and Recovery Services in Rural America

Projects Support Housing, Counseling and Other Services

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 5, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with rural communities to support opioid treatment, prevention and recovery services. 

   “USDA is helping to address this national crisis by partnering with communities to build an effective response to this significant challenge,” Hazlett said. “The opioid epidemic is dramatically impacting the health, quality of life and long-term prosperity of many rural places. USDA is investing in treatment, prevention and recovery services that help people rebuild their lives and will help communities have healthy, productive citizens.”

   Hazlett announced that USDA is investing $10.7 million in 85 projects in 22 states through the Department’s Community Programs division. USDA has many resources that can be used to help communities address the opioid epidemic. Earlier this summer, the Department launched an interactive map with information about actions and resources to address the opioid epidemic through prevention, treatment and recovery opportunities. USDA also has developed a Rural Opioid Misuse webpage to help communities share information about best practices to address the crisis.

   Below are some of the projects USDA is supporting in Pennsylvania:

  • In Wellsboro, Pa., Harbor Counseling is receiving a $130,600 loan and a $70,200 grant to renovate a facility that will be used for transitional housing for clients receiving substance misuse treatment. Harbor Counseling offers assessment, treatment and recovery support services for individuals and families dealing with substance misuse and mental health issues. It also provides community education and community support/development services.

  • In Columbia, Pa., Community Life Network of Columbia is receiving a $201,900 loan and a $106,600 grant to purchase a facility in order to continue to provide opioid misuse treatment, prevention and recovery services. The facility serves a population of more than 10,000.

  • In Juniata, Pa., Juniata County is receiving a $5,900 grant to purchase a vehicle to be used to collect and dispose of opioid medications in a county of 24,600.

  • In Lewistown, Pa., Mifflin County is receiving a $52,200 grant to purchase a walk-through body scanner. It will be used at the corrections center to find contraband; including opioids and other illegal substances. Additional funding included a $20,000 County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Loss Prevention Grant; a $7,298 County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Safety Improvement Grant, and a $15,502 applicant contribution.

  • In Warren, Pa., Warren County is receiving a $1,725,500 loan and a $150,000 grant to buy equipment that links to the Pennsylvania State Radio System. The communication system will improve response efficiency and provide field units the ability to advise law

    enforcement of observed drug-related activity.

   Hazlett announced investments in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont and Wisconsin.

    In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

   To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).

   USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

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