OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will be presented with a $14 million* check on December 5 – a second "Access to Recovery" grant from the federal government that will help the state provide transportation, transitional housing, and other support needed by people recovering from alcohol or other drug disorders.

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) selected Washington for the second grant based in part on the successes the state recorded with its initial grant.

The second grant will be used on proven methods of helping people get back to work and re-integrating them in their communities.

The Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) will use the grant funds in six counties (Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and Yakima). This will allow these counties to give eligible clients a complete assessment of their needs, a voucher for services that meet those needs, and a list of agencies that can provide the treatment.

The public can get more information about ATR services by contacting the Alcohol and Drug 24-Hour Help Line at 1-800-562-1240 and asking for contact information for those six counties.

* $13,678,560

SAMHSA Grant Award

SAMHSA Administrator Dr. Terry Cline will present the $14 million grant to DSHS Secretary Robin Arnold-Williams on the State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Wednesday, December 5. The event will include testimony by ATR service providers describing how the program helps people in recovery.

When: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 5.

Where: Hearing Room 3 of the John A. Cherberg Building (Senate Office Building).

Assignment Editors: Dr. Cline's biography is available on the Internet at http://www.samhsa.gov/About/bio_cline.aspx

For More Information And Background: Jim Stevenson, Communications Director, HRSA, DSHS 360-725-1915 (pager: 360-971-4067)