The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing in mental health, especially in Delaware’s rural areas.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing in mental health, especially in Delaware’s rural areas.The USDA announced Thursday it is giving $1 million to the Connections Community Support Programs, Inc. facilities in Harrington.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says with so many opioid overdose deaths in the First State taking place in rural Kent and Sussex Counties, USDA has decided to respond.
“Tragically, between heroin overdose and opioid overdose, we’re losing about 84 people nationally a day on average,” he said. “Far more than in car accidents. So this needs to be addressed in a variety of ways: there needs to be more focus on prevention, more treatment options, better community support for recovery.”
USDA’s recent award will help the Withdrawal Management Center renovate its facility so it can provide more overnight beds and additional space for counseling services.
Since it opened in November 2015, the facility has been at full capacity – providing a total of 16 overnight beds and room for up to 100 people to attend partial hospital treatment during the day for up to 30 days.
Last year, USDA awarded a Community Facilities Direct Loan in the amount of $5 million and $50,000 to the Connections Community Support Program to assist with the acquisition of the Withdrawal Management Center.
