Eight community health centers in Kentucky have received nearly $5 million in federal funds to launch and expand mental health and substance use disorder treatments across the state.?

The $4.7 million in grant money comes from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), housed within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).?

Centers will use the money to integrate mental health and substance use treatments more fully into primary care services.?

“Access to behavioral health care is critical for communities of color and underserved groups,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “HRSA-funded health centers have a proven record of success in reaching underserved communities. This funding expands their access to essential behavioral health services that will benefit entire communities.”??

The grant money is going to these centers:?

• Cumberland Family Medical Center in Burkesville received $600,000.
• Grace Community Health Center in Corbin, $600,000.
• Health First Bluegrass in Lexington, $600,000.
• Health Help in McKee, $600,000.
• Health Point Family Care in Newport $500,000.
• Kentucky Mountain Health Alliance in Hazard, $600,000.
• Lewis County Primary Care Center in Vanceburg, $600,000.
• Sterling Health Solutions in Mount Sterling, $600,000.

Carole Johnson, the HRSA administrator, called mental health and substance use disorder treatments “essential elements of primary care, and there should be no wrong door for families to get the behavioral health care they need.”