WABASH VALLEY – The United Way of the Wabash Valley announced they were awarded a $500,000 HRSA grant.

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health
Policy awarded nearly $15 million in funding for rural communities to address psychostimulant misuse and related overdose deaths.

United Way of the Wabash Valley was one of 29 organizations awarded nationwide $500,000 over the next three years to address substance use disorders and psychostimulant misuse in their rural service area communities of Sullivan, Parke, and Vermillion counties.

They were the only United Way organization in the country to receive this grant. This grant will fund programming provided by United Way, Chances and Services for Youth, Hamilton Center, Next Step Foundation, FSA Counseling Center, Indiana State University, IU Health Bloomington –Positive Link, Mental Health America of West Central Indiana, Southwest School Corporation, and Northeast School Corporation.

This programming will include:
• Expanded counseling and life skills training programs
• Increased health and social service professionals in area
• Over 2,000 students enrolled in new school-based, evidence-based, teacher-led prevention
programs per year
• Increased HIV/HCV testing delivery
• Expanded treatment and recovery services

“This grant is another great example of United Way working together with community partners to tackle the tough issues like substance use disorders in our community,” stated Dana Simons, co-chair of the United Way Substance Use Disorders Impact Council and Executive Director of Next Step Foundation.