The state of Iowa is allocating $50 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to support mental health and substance abuse treatment. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says the pandemic has been challenging for all and has underscored the importance of mental health infrastructure and access.
Reynolds said during a news conference Tuesday Iowans need to be mindful of their mental health, and know they have options if they need help. She says the last several months have made it more tempting to turn to behaviors such as gambling or substance abuse, so the state is allocating funds toward addiction treatment as well.
The state is putting $30 million Iowa's mental health regions to support ongoing adult and children mental health services and help cover increased needs that are a result of the pandemic. The state will allocate $20 million for mental health and substance abuse providers to cover increased costs during the pandemic.
She says the funds are in addition to previous provider dollars the federal government has allocated, for both the Cherokee and Independence, Iowa mental health institutions as well funds for hospitals and private practitioners. Reynolds says the Iowa Department of Human Services has also received nearly $1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to provide crisis counseling services to those impacted by COVID 19. The Iowa DHS is asking FEMA for an additional $4 million dollars.