PCCD: Federal Recovery Act Funds Available to Support Mental Illness, Substance Abuse Services to Individuals in Criminal Justice System

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania is making available $400,000 in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to provide certified forensic peer support services to individuals within the criminal justice system who are suffering from mental illness, as well as psychiatric and substance abuse disorders.

The funding, announced today by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, is being awarded on a competitive basis to any non-profit group or organization capable of providing forensic peer support services by trained and licensed behavioral service specialists. These specialists offer support in areas of wellness and recovery, education and employment, housing and crisis support.

More information on how to apply, including eligibility requirements and special conditions, is available at www.pccd.state.pa.us by clicking "Grant Opportunities." Applications must be received through PCCD's Egrants system by Monday, March 15.

This effort is part of Pennsylvania's long-term commitment by a number of state agencies to reduce the number of individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders in the criminal justice system.

As the state's lead agency for criminal justice policy issues, PCCD works to prevent and reduce crime and respond to the needs of victims. PCCD collaborates with state and local agencies and officials, victim service providers, juvenile and criminal justice agencies, community-based organizations and others to achieve those goals.

For more information on how the federal Recovery Act is benefiting Pennsylvania, visit www.recovery.pa.gov.

Media contact: Tara Mead, 717-265-8470

SOURCE Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency