Kaptur Celebrates $800,000 Award to Equip First Responders with Substance Abuse Treatment Skills
September 25, 2026
Sandusky, OH — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced that the Erie County Department of Health has been awarded an $800,000 grant award through the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. The award will support first responders across Erie County will skills and training as they respond to calls related to substance abuse or mental health disorders.
"First responders are the first ones on the scene for a wide variety of emergencies, including to assist individuals experiencing mental health crises or substance abuse disorders,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Our community has an ever-increasing need to improve the lives of our neighbors suffering from mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders. Federal support will allow Northwest Ohio’s brave and skilled first responders to better meet the needs of all people who are in need of their expert assistance.”
“On behalf of our Northwest Region of Ohio, The Erie County Health Department is pleased to accept these grant funds, for the third time,” said Pete Schade, Erie County Health Commissioner. “Clearly, we are providing services with this funding that enable lives to be saved and souls to recover from the scourge of addiction. We are poised to provide the needed gaps in recovery that so many covet.”
As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Kaptur works tirelessly to secure vital Federal funding for our Northwest Ohio community. In May of 2026, she announced over $1.8 Million in funding for the Erie County Health Program and in July of 2026 she delivered $250,000 in awards for Drug Free Communities programs to encourage youth to live drug-free lives.
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