State Awards $1.1 Million for Recovery-support Services for Deaf, Hard-of-hearing Residents

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration awarded $1.1 million in grant funding to three substance-use-disorder treatment centers across Massachusetts to establish or enhance recovery-support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing constituents. Grants were awarded in equal parts to Behavioral Health Network, High Point Treatment Center, and North Suffolk Community Services.

Through collaboration between the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the one-time award will support deaf, late-deafened, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing individuals seeking substance-addiction treatment and recovery-support services. Funding may also be used to address equity and outreach to people of color and marginalized communities, including the hiring of staff to support these efforts.

“Accessibility to services is vital for all Massachusetts residents, and improving access to substance-use-disorder centers during an opioid epidemic can save lives,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh said. “As we continue to remove barriers to care for those dealing with substance-use disorder, we must recognize that these diseases impact communities across the Commonwealth. I am very happy that we are taking this step to improve access and inclusion for our neighbors in the deaf or hard-of-hearing community. Identifying and investing in appropriate resources and staff to work specifically with this community will provide access to culturally appropriate, nuanced, and effective care.”