The money comes from a state program that will pay as many as 100 groups up to $200,000 each. Each contract covers a single year of prevention and education work, paid for with federal opioid response funds. The money cannot be spent on treatment or on recovery support services.
Grantees spend the year on awareness, outreach and education about opioids, stimulants and the use of several drugs at once. They also work to reduce stigma and to steer people toward treatment and medication for opioid use disorder. Casa said its work will build community understanding of those conditions and of the treatment available. The grant will also promote health and well-being in the San Gabriel Valley, the organization said.
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) runs the program with The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. Applications closed July 22. Contracts began Sept. 1. The program is supported by the state’s fourth State Opioid Response grant. That money comes to the department from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The state’s listing for the grant says 5,462 overdose deaths were reported in California in 2024.
Casa is at 160 N. El Molino Ave. It offers residential and day treatment, intensive outpatient care, sober living and aftercare for women. Nely Meza-Andrade, Casa’s chief executive officer, said the money from the Sierra Health Foundation and DHCS lets Casa “take a proactive approach to the current opioid and stimulant crisis through targeted education and prevention.”
The contract is paid by reimbursement. It runs through Aug. 31, 2027.
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