For Immediate Release

Grants To FSSA Will Provide Much Needed Funding

INDIANAPOLIS (September 6, 2011) -- Recent grants to Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) will provide much-needed funding for two state programs targeting mental health and addiction services.

A one-year, $600,000 Strategic Prevention Framework State Prevention Enhancement planning grant is designed to strengthen and enhance Indiana's prevention infrastructure to support more strategic, comprehensive systems of community- oriented care. "The funding will assist the Division in creating a more responsive, interactive system that can better address and adjust to the specific prevention needs of local communities," explained Gina Eckart, director, FSSA Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DHMA).

A second award -- totaling more than $8.3 million -- will support a five-year Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment program for adults who are in a primary care or comunity health setting for the treatment of substance misuse or use disorders. The program is designed to expand/enhance state services to reduce alcohol and drug consumption and its negative health impact; increase abstinence and reduce costly health care utilization; promote sustainability and behavioral health information technology.

Both awards were granted by the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. "These awards will assist FSSA in continuing to provide the needed tools and resources for those seeking services for mental health concerns and addiction," said Eckart. "We are pleased that HHS recognizes the innovative practices in Indiana and is interested in seeing our current efforts expanded."

The grants will also help support state and local public health initiatives such as smoking cessation and community-oriented care programs, and strengthening public health infrastructure.

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Media contact: Neal Moore, (317) 234-0197, Neal.Moore@fssa.IN.gov

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