Exclusive details: United Way of Rutherford County awarded $3M from feds, unclear what its exact use will be
Biden-Harris Administration funding announced to expand substance use disorder treatment in rural communities
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The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has announced nearly $9 million in funding to strengthen health care services in rural North Carolina. This investment will focus on launching and expanding opioid treatment and recovery services in rural communities, providing critical support to underserved areas struggling with substance use disorder.
“The Biden-Harris Administration believes health care should be available to everyone regardless of where they live. That’s why we are investing heavily in rural communities, which have historically lacked resources and access to health services,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.
The announcement was made by HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson as part of the administration’s commitment to improving health care access in rural areas. This funding will not only help establish new treatment and recovery centers but also support the behavioral health workforce and collaboration with social services to ensure sustainable care for rural populations, federal officials said.
The United Way of Rutherford County, Inc., based in Forest City, North Carolina, is among the recipients, receiving $750,000 in fiscal year 2024, with a total of $3 million allocated over the next four years. These funds will be directed toward creating new access points for opioid treatment and recovery services in the region, according to the federal agency statement.
Suzanne Mizsur-Porter, Executive Director of United Way of Rutherford County, expressed her organization’s excitement about the new initiative when reached for comment by Cops & Congress. She said that a formal press release with more details would be shared soon. "We’re working closely with our collaborative partners and will provide additional information once the release is finalized," she said in an email to me.
This effort is part of the broader Biden-Harris Administration initiative to address health care disparities in rural America, with a focus on behavioral health and ensuring that rural communities receive high-quality care.
Mizsur-Porter was recently appointed to the North Carolina Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, according to Governor Roy Cooper’s office.
Opinion & Analysis
Cops & Congress Commentary: United Way’s $3M grant – A game-changer for Rutherford County’s opioid crisis?
The recent $3 million grant awarded to the United Way of Rutherford County as part of the HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program has sparked a lot of interest in our community. As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s push to invest in rural health care, this grant aims to tackle one of our most pressing public health challenges—opioid addiction. But as we celebrate the news, it’s crucial to understand how this money will be used, and more importantly, what it means for local residents in real terms.
I reached out to United Way with some key questions on how this funding will be allocated and what immediate impact Rutherford County residents can expect. I was told that a press release would be coming soon. That was on September 25. Today is October 16. To be fair, the community experienced a devastating hurricane on September 27, so a brief delay is understandable. However, if I was awarded that much money I would immediately share the intention of its use, but that’s just me.
Another potential pot of money has also raised questions. Following Hurricane Helene, the Rutherford County government said that its residents should donate money to the United Way of Rutherford County. Their photo shared on social media stated that funds may also be allocated to go to Polk County. It said “100% of donations will be dispersed in the community,” but exactly how is unclear. They didn’t specify those details. Who gets those funds? How are they chosen? How long do they have to wait? What is the process?
How will the federal grant money be spent?
The main question is how will the United Way plan to use the $3 million over the next four years? Will these funds go directly into creating or expanding opioid treatment facilities? Are there plans to increase staffing for addiction recovery or behavioral health programs? This kind of clarity is critical to ensure that the funds are being used where they are needed most and that the impact will be felt by the people who need it right now.
What can residents expect?
For those struggling with opioid addiction, time is of the essence. I wanted to know how quickly Rutherford County residents could expect to see changes. Will there be treatment beds available? Will new programs be created? Or does this build on existing programs? What are those details? While the grant is exciting, it’s important to manage expectations—residents need to know whether immediate changes are coming or if the benefits of this funding will take time to materialize.
Long-term solutions for a sustainable future
A key aspect of this funding is its focus on integrating behavioral health and social services. How will this work in practice in a rural setting like ours? It's one thing to receive funding, but creating long-lasting, sustainable change in any community requires planning beyond the immediate crisis. Will this funding help lay the foundation for broader mental health services, or is the focus purely on substance abuse? It is my job as an independent investigative journalist to remain skeptical and ask many questions about how investments like this could transform not just treatment options but the very fabric of health care in Rutherford County.
The United Way said that they will be releasing more information soon, but these are the pressing questions that should be on everyone’s mind in my opinion. This funding could represent a pivotal moment in our community’s fight against the opioid crisis, but as always, the devil is in the details. What will determine its success is not just how much money is being spent but how effectively it’s being used to address the root causes of addiction and provide recovery support.
As we wait for more specifics from the United Way, it’s worth remembering that accountability and transparency will be key to ensuring that these funds truly make a difference. We owe it to the families and individuals affected by this crisis to make sure that every dollar is used wisely, and that our rural community can build a sustainable path forward.
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