Benham applauds up to $800,000 to combat substance use disorder

State grants awarded to Tree of Life Bible Church, Crossroads Treatment

Rep. Jessica Benham    May 11, 2023 | 1:09 PM

BROOKLINE, May 11 – Two organizations offering support services to individuals with substance use disorder will each receive up to $400,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, state Rep. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, announced today.

“Anyone living in South Pittsburgh has likely seen or felt the damage inflicted by the opioid epidemic,” said Benham. “As a state representative, I have and always will do everything I can to help prevent overdose deaths in our community. I’m grateful to have helped secure these awards which will expand the capabilities of the incredible organizations working on the front lines of this crisis.”

Among the 19 organizations across the state receiving grants in this round of DDAP funding, Crossroads Treatment and the Tree of Life Bible Church are the two serving constituents in the 36th Legislative District represented by Benham.

"I am humbled and honored our organization has been selected [for this grant], and we are really excited to expand on what we're doing in Brookline to other parts of Pittsburgh and empower other faith leaders to address the opioid epidemic," said Lance Rhoades, pastor at Tree of Life Bible Church.

Awardees will receive grants of up to $400,000 for a 12-month period beginning July 1, through June 30, 2024. Funds may be applied toward a range of activities, including construction, building infrastructure, staffing and evidence-based programming.

Organizations eligible to apply for this funding opportunity included organizations that provide services, outreach and/or education to minority communities that promote access to harm reduction services, low-barrier SUD and medication-assisted treatment, recovery and peer supports, and/or offender reentry supports.

A full list of awardees is available here.