Burns: Substance abuse education grants available

Lawmaker urges qualified organizations to apply

EBENSBURG, Jan. 20 – As a problem solver who’s always looking to leverage state resources to benefit his community, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today is urging nonprofits, community organizations, local government and schools to take advantage of multiple grant opportunities, and to contact his office if they need help.

According a 2018 report by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, Cambria has the state’s highest rate for hospitalization from overdose of pain medication and is fourth in the state for heroin overdoses, a new state report says. Burns says he has no reason to believe those numbers got better during the pandemic.

“It’s no secret that Cambria County has one the highest overdose rates in the state,” Burns said. “We have an opportunity to bring additional funding to combat substance abuse in our region.”

Burns reiterated that his office would assist any organization with applying for these funds.

“Since taking office I’ve helped bring more than $270 million in state and federal dollars back to our communities for projects large and small,” Burns said. “I’ll never stop fighting for Cambria County, but I can’t apply for these grants myself – which is why I want to make sure that local organizations, nonprofits and governments are aware they are out there.”

Grant programs currently available include:

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency: Substance Abuse Education and Demand Reduction Category 1 (Adult) Funds

Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations may partner with governmental entities, including school districts, provided the nonprofit organization is the applicant.

Use: To support implementation strategies aimed at combating opioid/heroin overdoses in Pennsylvania communities.

Funds: Grants up to $150,000 over a two-year project period.

Application Deadline: February 24, 2022

More Information: Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx.

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency: Substance Abuse Education and Demand Reduction Category 1 (Youth) Funds

Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations may partner with governmental entities, including school districts, provided the nonprofit organization is the applicant.

Use: To serve youth with research-based or evidence-based approaches to prevention, intervention, training, treatment, and education services to reduce substance use or provide resources to assist families in accessing these services.

Funds: Grants up to $150,000 over a two-year project period.

Application Deadline: February 24, 2022

More Information: Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx.

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency: Substance Abuse Education and Demand Reduction Category 2 & 3 Funds

Who May Apply: Non-profit statewide organizations/agencies within Pennsylvania. Non-profit statewide organizations/agencies may partner with a government entity, including school districts, but are not required to do so.

Use: To educate the public about the dangers of substance use and/or reduce demand for substances.

Funds: Grants up to $275,000 over a one-year project period.

Application Deadline: February 24, 2022

More Information: Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx.