Washington, D. C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming $250,000 in federal funding for local mental health and substance abuse services.

This is a new grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The funds are directed to American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS) for a two-year crisis response to mental health and substance abuse needs.

“Thank you especially once again to Fiso Talalupelele for the leadership and effort involved in applying for these funds,” said Congresswoman Amata. “It is important to continue to help those facing a mental health crisis or trapped in substance abuse, and reduce these problems in our community with compassion.”

The DHSS personnel, led by Director Muavaefa'atasi John Suisala, and reporting to Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Lieutenant Governor Talauega Ale, manages key DHSS programs that provide necessary social services. At the federal level, HHS is led by Secretary Xavier Becarra, SAMHSA by Assistant Secretary Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, and CMHS by Director Dr. Anita Everett.