Rep. Terri Sewell Announces $1.2 Million to Expand Mental Health and Addiction Treatment in Jefferson County, Black Belt

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell announced Friday that $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been allocated to help expand mental health and substance abuse services in Jefferson County and the Black Belt.

Alabama Regional Medical Services in Birmingham and the Rural Health Medical Program in Selma each received $600,000 to expand access to care and help combat the mental health and opioid crises.

Sewell said the awards are part of a $240 million investment by the Biden-Harris administration to launch or expand behavioral health care services across America.

“When our most vulnerable Alabamans need care, it’s the incredible health care professionals at our community health centers who are there,” said Rep. Sewell. “I’m thrilled that the Biden-Harris Administration is working to expand mental health and substance use treatment for patients served by these facilities. These awards represent a critical step forward in our fight against the mental health and opioid crises.”

“Alabama Regional Medical Services is deeply honored to receive this significant funding from HRSA to expand and integrate behavioral health services into primary care,” “Our communities are increasingly challenged by mental health and substance abuse issues, and this award will allow us to better serve our patients. With this investment, ARMS will be better positioned to help address these challenges and achieve better mental health and wellness outcomes in Birmingham, Alabama and the surrounding areas. We thank HRSA for this award and for recognizing the needs of the City of Birmingham and for its continued partnership with ARMS in providing quality health care to the children, youth and families in our community,” said Dr. Thomas Greer, Jr., CEO of Alabama Regional Medical Services (ARMS).

“I want to thank the Department of Health and Human Services Grants Branch 330 for providing us with the opportunity to receive this funding,” said Keshee Dozier-Smith, CEO of the Rural Health Medical Program. “I also want to thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell for continuing to support our efforts in her district. We know she fights every day for health equity and other needed resources in our community and we know that because of her support and the support of others who represent the state of Alabama, this funding has been made available to us to expand these services.”

Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.