On Thursday, August 8, 2019, Venice Family Clinic hosted Edward G. Heidig, Director of HHS Region 9, and Commander Matthew James, Regional Health Administrator to share details of our integrated models of care for HIV services, homeless health care, substance use treatment and behavioral health services.

During the visit, Mr. Heidig announced that the Clinic had been awarded a $167,000 HRSA grant to support our ability to treat patients with substance use and mental health issues. Our grant was part of a multi-million dollar package of grants that is being distributed to multiple organizations in the greater Los Angeles area in an effort to bolster the delivery of behavioral health services in and for the community.

“Health centers like Venice Family Clinic are on the front lines of the fight against the opioid crisis and substance use,” said Mr. Heidig. “We are proud to recognize Venice Family Clinic’s leadership in this issue and help support the exemplary care it provides with a Behavioral Health grant.”

“We are thrilled to receive this award,“ said Elizabeth Benson Forer, chief executive officer and executive director of Venice Family Clinic. “We will use this funding to increase access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for patients with substance use disorders and take necessary steps to provide an additional 70 patients with behavioral health services.”