Daniels Fund Helping to Eliminate Transportation Barriers

Southeast Health Group announced today that it has received a $70,000 Daniels Fund grant to assist people in accessing substance use disorder treatment across southeastern Colorado.  SHG will purchase a wheelchair-accessible van and hire a driver to eliminate transportation barriers and ensure that every citizen has access to substance use disorder treatment services.

Southeast Health Group provides mental health, substance use disorder, and primary care and wellness services in Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero & Prowers counties.  The Emergency Services team, led by Myriah Hagerman, answers calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to provide clinical evaluations for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, regardless of ability to pay.  In 2013, SHG received 3,811 emergency calls for mental health and 149 emergency calls for substance use disorders, and provided free face-to-face evaluations to 259 individuals.

“The grant will enable our program to work more closely with law enforcement when they have identified someone who needs emergency transportation to detox or inpatient treatment services,” said Paul Sedillo, Executive Director of Partnership for Progress, Southeast Health Group’s substance use disorder treatment division.  “Having an unmarked, private vehicle will de-criminalize people who are really in need of medical services, and will take some of the pressure off of Police and Sheriff Departments that have limited personnel and resources.”

Bill Daniels, a pioneer in cable television known for his kindness and generosity to those in need, established the Daniels Fund to provide grants and scholarships in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. For more information, please visit www.danielsfund.org.

For more information about how to access substance use disorder treatment, call 1-800-511-5446 or visit www.southeasthealthgroup.org.

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