Reschenthaler Announces Federal Funding for Fayette County to Fight Opioid Epidemic
WASHINGTON, PA –Today, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) announced Fayette County received a total of $917,368 through the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative. Fayette County will use this funding for the "Recovery to Reemployment" Remote Monitoring Program, which will focus on combatting substance abuse in the region by providing daily patient monitoring and support services.
"Pennsylvania is one of the states hit hardest by our nation's opioid epidemic, but the funding awarded to Fayette County today will help stem that tide by providing over 400 Pennsylvanians with new resources to address substance use disorder," Congressman Reschenthaler said. "Commissioners Lohr, Vicites, and Dunn have been incredible advocates for our communities, and I am glad we were able to work together on this important project. I am grateful to the Trump Administration for their commitment to helping individuals in southwestern Pennsylvania who are suffering from addiction, and I will continue working with local and federal leaders to end the opioid crisis."
"This is such an exciting opportunity for Fayette County! The ability to do consistent, 24-hour monitoring, coupled with immediate notification when issues arise, is so important to success with these treatment programs," said Fayette County Commissioner David Lohr. "We have also had issues with access to care and treatment because of the rural nature of our county, so increasing remote access is absolutely a "win-win!" Across the board, we are being pro-active in fighting addiction and we're making great strides. This is one more tool in our toolkit, and an invaluable tool at that."
"I'm excited to be able to add another tool in the fight against opioid addiction," Fayette County Commissioner Scott Dunn said. "In these trying times, addiction affects all of us at every level of income and every segment of society. I'm pleased that Fayette County received this award to help us in our fight."
The primary goal of the ARC POWER Initiative is to help communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America's energy production. To date, ARC has invested over $238 million in 293 projects, touching 353 counties across Appalachia since 2015.
More information about ARC's POWER Initiative is available at www.arc.gov/power. Additionally, interested organizations may contact Matt Mackowiak at Congressman Reschenthaler's Washington district office at (724) 206-4800 or by email at Matt.Mackowiak@mail.house.gov.
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