This October, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), awarded $35 million in grants to support behavioral healthcare and HIV prevention efforts. These funds are essential in building health equity among historically underserved communities. 

The $35 million includes $21.9 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative’s Substances Use Disorder Treatment for Racial/Ethnic Minority Populations at High Risk for HIV/AIDS program, which provides treatment for medically underserved individuals with substance use disorders. An additional $10.5 million was awarded to the Minority AIDS Initiative’s Substance Use and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention Navigator Program for Racial/Ethnic Minorities, which places emphasis on those who identify as LGBTQI persons who are not in stable housing and/or reside in communities with high rates of HIV, viral hepatitis. 

Finally, $1.9 million was awarded to the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund’s Integrated Behavioral Health and HIV Care for Unsheltered Populations Pilot Project, which aims to provide comprehensive healthcare for racial and ethnic medically underserved people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Read the full release here.