Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2021
Floor Speech
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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 433) to establish a grant program for family community organizations that provide support for individuals struggling with substance use disorder and their families.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 433
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2021''. SEC. 2. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
Part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290dd et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 553. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `family community organization' means an independent nonprofit organization that--
``(A) mobilizes resources within and outside of the community of families with individuals living with addiction, to provide a support network, education, and evidence- informed tools for families and loved ones of individuals struggling with substance use disorders; and
``(B) is governed by experts in the field of addiction, which may include--
``(i) experts in evidence-informed interventions for family members;
``(ii) experts in the impact of addiction on family systems;
``(iii) families who have experience with substance use disorders and addiction; and
``(iv) other experts in the field of addiction; and
``(2) the term `family support services' means resources or programs that support families that include an individual with substance use disorder.
``(b) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary shall award grants to family community organizations to enable such organizations to develop, expand, and enhance evidence- informed family support services.
``(c) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the costs of a program funded by a grant under this section may not exceed 85 percent.
``(d) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under subsection (b)--
``(1) shall be used to develop, expand, and enhance community and statewide evidence-informed family support services; and
``(2) may be used to--
``(A) build connections between family support networks, including providing technical assistance between family community organizations and peer support networks, and with other family support services, focused on enhancing knowledge of evidence-informed interventions for family members and loved ones of individuals living with substance use disorders and reducing harm by educating service providers on current evidence regarding addiction and the family, including--
``(i) behavioral health providers, including such providers focused specifically on family and couples therapy in the context of addiction;
``(ii) primary care providers;
``(iii) providers of foster care services or support services for grandparents, guardians, and other extended family impacted by addiction; and
``(iv) other family support services that connect to community resources for individuals with substance use disorders, including non-clinical community services;
``(B) reduce stigma associated with the family of individuals with substance use disorders by improving knowledge about addiction and its treatment, providing compassionate support, and dispelling myths that perpetuate such stigma;
``(C) conduct outreach on issues relating to substance use disorders and family support, which may include education, training, and resources with respect to--
``(i) building a resilience- and strengths-based approach to prevention of, and living with, addiction in the family;
``(ii) identifying the signs of substance use disorder;
``(iii) adopting an approach that minimizes harm to all family members; and
``(iv) families of individuals with a substance use disorder, including with respect to--
``(I) navigating the treatment and recovery systems;
``(II) paying for addiction treatment;
``(III) education about substance use disorder; and
``(IV) avoiding predatory treatment programs; and
``(D) connect families to evidence-informed peer support programs.
``(e) Data Reporting and Program Oversight.--With respect to a grant awarded under subsection (a), not later than 90 days after the end of the first year of the grant period, and annually thereafter for the duration of the grant period, the entity shall submit data, as appropriate and to the extent practicable, to the Secretary regarding--
``(1) the programs and activities funded by the grant;
``(2) health outcomes of the population of individuals with a substance use disorder who received services through programs supported by the grant, as evaluated by an independent program evaluator through the use of outcomes measures, as determined by the Secretary; and
``(3) any other information that the secretary may require for the purpose of ensuring that the grant recipient is complying with all the requirements of the grant.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.
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Mr. PALLONE. 433.
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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 433, the Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2021.
Addiction and substance use disorder are complex, yet diagnosable, treatable diseases. Families can play a significant role in helping an individual find treatment. Yet, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to making sure that loved ones receive the care they need and deserve. This, of course, can be a challenge to more than just the individual; it is a challenge to families as well.
Madam Speaker, families across the United States are doing all they can to seek care for those they love. In fact, data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reminds us that nearly 20 million Americans live with a substance use disorder. Unfortunately, only a fraction of those Americans receives treatment.
H.R. 433, the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, builds upon congressional efforts, such as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the 21st Century Cures Act, and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, to help close the treatment gap and get Americans on the road to recovery.
Part of paving a smooth road to recovery is providing evidence-based guidance for families and connecting them with other community support systems, which can dramatically influence an individual's trajectory. That is exactly what this bill sets out to do.
The bill would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to family community organizations that would work to develop, expand, and enhance evidence-based family support services. These family community organizations would be able to use these grants to reduce stigma around substance use disorder and build connections between families and providers, and foster care services and other peer support services.
I commend the lead sponsors of this legislation, Representatives Trone and Meuser, and their staff, for advocating for additional support for families.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I hope the Senate will act on it swiftly.
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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Trone), the author of this bill.
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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.
Madam Speaker, I am sure we will notice as we go through the suspension calendar today that we have a number of bills that deal with addiction and behavioral health issues. This is Mental Health Month that we are observing today, and this is one of the bills that is a very important part of this group.
Madam Speaker, I urge support on a bipartisan basis, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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