Disaster Relief Assistance

WASHINGTON — Connecticut will receive $850,000 from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to aid families affected by the recent terrorist attacks, Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman announced this week.

The funds are part of the more than $20 million released today by HHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to eight states and the District of Columbia. They represent the second wave of mental health funding made available as part of the $5.1 billion in disaster-related funds released by President Bush on September 21.

The grants, which will go to the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, prioritize the special needs of children and adolescents, and can be used for substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health service, or training and planning needs. The other states receiving awards include Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

“There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ approach to treating victims of terrorism, and this assistance recognized that by reaching out to children,” said Sen Dodd. “It targets critically important resources to children’s unique and special needs, ultimately helping to alleviate pain and suffering by the most vulnerable in our nation’s population.”