SACRAMENTO – The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on Jan 11 awarded $52 million to providers of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services. These funds will support the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of opioid and substance use disorders, as well as recovery.

“It is critical that treatment providers on the front lines of the opioid epidemic have the lifesaving resources they need, when they need them,” said Governor Newsom. “Today’s efforts, in coordination with the federal government, bolster our state’s multi-pronged approach to tackling this ongoing crisis and protecting as many Californians as possible.”

As part of the 2023-2024 state budget, Governor Newsom proposed additional investments to distribute naloxone, provide overdose medication to all middle and high schools, make test strips available, and grants for education, testing, recovery and support services.

Since coming into office, Governor Newsom has dedicated more than $1 Billion in funding to fight the opioid crisis: removing opioids from the streets, providing resources to California communities in need, and increasing education and awareness to prevent harm in the first place.

“The opioid epidemic is one of the biggest challenges facing California today,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “The Administration is investing massive resources – more than a billion dollars – into a comprehensive response to the crisis, and the grant awards that we’re announcing today should go a long way toward helping treatment providers throughout California save lives.”

The awards, of up to $1,848,000 each to 105 service providers, will fund the development and implementation of opioid and substance use disorder treatment “hubs” and “spokes” throughout California. The “hubs” may be narcotic treatment programs or other MAT providers; the “spokes” are federally approved office-based prescribers.