TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – $250,000 in grants have been announced in an effort to combat the opioid crisis in 11 Indiana counties.
The Duke Energy Foundation on Tuesday presented the grants to Ivy Tech Community College and Hamilton Center.
Ivy Tech is receiving $175,000 to educate and prepare specialists in addiction and mental health. A press release says the college will work with the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce’s Better Health Wabash Valley initiative to connect students with health care providers and businesses for work-study programs in addiction and mental health.
“Ivy Tech has robust nursing, health science and human services programs, including addiction studies. Each of these credentials earned grows the regional workforce skilled to assist those suffering from mental health and addiction-disorders,” said Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College. “In fact, some Ivy Tech students experience many of these same challenges, and we have a longstanding partnership with Hamilton Center to provide services and improve lives in the Wabash Valley.”
Hamilton Center, Inc. is receiving $75,000 for a pilot program. The program is described as helping those with an opioid use disorder who are unemployed or want to remain the workforce, while seeking treatment for their substance use disorder. Funds will be used for employment assistance and treatment.
“People in recovery need the opportunity to work and be productive employees and citizens, and private/public partnerships like this can certainly assist in addressing community needs,” said Melvin L. Burks, Hamilton Center’s chief executive officer.
The grants focus on an 11-county region that includes Vigo, Clay, Gibson, Greene, Hendricks, Knox, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan and Vermillion counties.
