Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Coastal Horizons awarded $1.5M from state to expand, enhance services

Coastal Horizons will use $1.5 million from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to expand or enhance its substance-use recovery services. (Port City Daily photo/file)

WILMINGTON — A regional nonprofit that offers substance use recovery support received a statewide grant to expand its services.

Coastal Horizons was awarded $1.5 million from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services as one of eight organizations to earn a grant to assist with programs provided by certified peer support specialists, which are individuals living in recovery and using their experiences to help others.

The North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Program is a collaborative project between the NCDHHS and the UNC School of Social Work, Behavioral Health Springboard. As of September 2022, there are 4,094 certified peer support specialists in the state with substance use or mental health experience.

“Peers are an integral component for many people seeking and in sustained recovery,” NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Health Mark Benton said in a press release. “They offer acceptance, understanding and guidance to help others develop their own recovery goals. They also aid in helping others build their ‘recovery capital’ — resources and skills that can be drawn upon in the future to help sustain recovery.”

In total, the state doled out more than $4 million to organizations across North Carolina, with Coastal Horizons earning the largest chunk by half a million dollars from the second largest grant. The money comes from the 2021 Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant within the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

The funds will be used to enhance or supplement existing services or implement new programs with the expectations of increasing locations where services are available, expanding the number of individuals who are receiving services, decreasing referrals to higher levels of care and providing new employment opportunities.

Other recipients include Anuvia Prevention and Recovery in Charlotte, Drug Free Moore County in Carthage, First at Blue Ridge in Ridgecrest, Freedom House Recovery Center in Chapel Hill, Kellin Foundation in Greensboro, Nash UNC Healthcare Foundation in Rocky Mount and Sunrise Community for Wellness and Recovery in Asheville.


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