Illinois To Receive Disaster-Relief Opioid Response Funds

(July 17, 2019)

Illinois will receive federal funding to help those impacted by the opioid crisis. According to the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, the U.S. Dept. of Labor gave the Dislocated Worker Grant to the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide relief employment around the state. The grant begins with $1.8 million, and can provide up to $5.6 million total. Illinois plans to divide the funds between 22 counties across the state.

Because the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services declared the American opioid crisis a national emergency in 2017, Illinois could then apply for the grant. It can now provide work to state residents who’ve been impacted by opioid-related job loss. Because of this, participants can receive employment as behavioral health technicians, peer support navigators, and recovery coaches for those undergoing opioid recovery. This will reintegrate them into the workforce, maybe then improving their employability. Also, the program could strengthen the state’s opioid response.

Learn more about the Dislocated Worker Grant here. To find an opioid recovery center or doctor in Illinois, look here or here.