HARTFORD— U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-Conn.-01), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03), Jim Himes (D-Conn.-04) and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05) in announcing $4.2 million for seven community health centers in Connecticut to expand mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder services.

“For too many struggling with mental illness or substance use, lifesaving care remains out of reach because overburdened health centers are unable to meet demand. This $4.2 million in federal funding is going to give community health centers across the state the resources to treat and work with thousands more people, and I’ll never stop fighting for expanded access to mental health services,” said Murphy.

“This $4.2 million in federal funding will allow seven crucial community health centers in Connecticut to expand their lifesaving mental and behavioral health services. The need for these services has never been higher as Connecticut confronts an ongoing mental health crisis. These health centers are on the frontlines of providing care to those who need it most and I am thrilled that they will receive robust support to expand and continue this work,” said Blumenthal. 

“I’m thrilled to announce $600,000 in federal funding for Hartford’s Charter Oak Health Center,” said Larson. “These funds are part of a nationwide effort to expand access to mental health care and substance use prevention services. Today’s announcement means that health centers across the country, including right here in Hartford, will be able to serve more than 300,000 patients previously unable to access the care they need.”

“The United Community and Family Services is an indispensable health resource in our region. I am very pleased that the Health Resources and Services Administration awarded the UCFS with a substantial federal grant to support its ongoing behavioral health services. This federal award is a reflection of the exceptional service the health care professionals and staff provide, and will help expand and improve the mental and behavioral health services that so many residents rely on,” said Courtney. 

"As the top Democrat on the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education subcommittee, I am proud to support this critical $4.2 million investment to combine mental health and drug use disorder treatment, which will empower our community health centers and ensure that more of our neighbors can access the care they need," said DeLauro. “This is a triumph for every person and family affected by the opioid and mental health crises, and for our Federally Qualified Health Centers who are on the frontlines. I commend the Biden-Harris Administration for prioritizing these essential services, and I will continue to support investments that will have a positive impact on our district."

“With over 14,000 patients, the Norwalk Community Health Center (NCHC) is a stellar example of how to provide quality, local medical care to patients in the languages they speak for costs they can afford. The connections NCHC has built with the Norwalk community are invaluable, and will ensure that, as the medical facility expands its services with this $600,000 federal grant, its patients know they can get the help they need from medical professionals they trust,” said Himes.

“Community health centers address the most urgent community needs, especially mental health and substance abuse services. Through critical investments like this, more people in Danbury, Plainville and surrounding towns will be able to seek the care they need right where they live. I am grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for its commitment to expanding and improving access to care in Connecticut and across the country,” said Hayes.

The federal funding, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will support critical services at seven federally qualified community health centers in Connecticut:

  • Charter Oak Health Center in Hartford will receive $600,000.
  • Connecticut Institute for Communities in Danbury will receive $600,000.
  • Cornell Scott Hill Health in New Haven will receive $600,000.
  • Fair Haven Community Health Clinic in New Haven will receive $600,000.
  • Norwalk Community Health Center in Norwalk will receive $600,000.
  • United Community and Family Services Inc. in Norwich will receive $600,000.
  • Wheeler Clinic Inc. in Plainville will receive $600,000.

A new report from Mental Health America demonstrates the need for this important expansion of services, finding that the vast majority of people with a substance use disorder in the U.S. are not receiving treatment. One in 5 youth had at least one major depressive episode in the last year—with over half not receiving treatment, and 10 percent of adults with a mental illness are uninsured.  

Today, most health centers are only able to meet about 27% of the demand for mental health services and 6% of the substance use disorder treatment demand among their patients, according to HRSA.

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