Wisconsin Awarded Over $7 Million to Combat the Opioid Epidemic
The funding was made available under the federal 21st Century Cures Act
MADISON, Wis. – Governor Scott Walker has announced that the state will receive $7,636,938 in federal grant money to help combat the state’s opioid epidemic.
“We will continue our work to implement the most effective and efficient practices, aimed at prevention, recovery, and treatment, to bring healing to the individuals, families, and communities overwhelmed by this public health crisis,” said Governor Walker in a press release, Thursday.
The $7.6 million is the first year of what is expected to be a two year grant.
The Department of Health Services submitted the grant application in February as directed by Walker’s Executive Order #229. The funds will be used to support the following recommendations outlined in the Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse:
- Support community coalitions focused on reducing the nonmedical use of opioids among people ages 12-25
- Established a hotline to provide information on treatment services and recovery supports
- Expand access to treatment for uninsured individuals
- Establish new opioid-specific treatment programs
- Establish a network of individuals in long-term recovery from the misuse and abuse of opioids trained to coach people through the treatment and recovery process
- Develop training for professionals on intervention and treatment strategies
