H.R. 433 Family Support Services for Addiction Act
H.R. 433 Family Support Services for Addiction Act
Reps. David Trone (D-MD) and Dan Meuser (R-PA)
Problem – Families struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) lack basic support services.
Helping loved ones who are struggling with SUD can be stressful, confusing, frustrating, and heartbreaking. While our communities are working hard to provide treatment options and support services, families still struggle with where to start. Parents trying to identify and access appropriate services for their family member or child may find child-serving systems (e.g., mental health, education, juvenile justice, child welfare, substance use treatment) complicated and overwhelming. In addition, the pervasive stigma of addiction is often a huge barrier to families, leaving them feeling like they themselves have nowhere to turn for support, resources, and information.
Solution – Pass the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, which would establish a grant program for nonprofit family community organizations that provide support for families of individuals struggling with SUD. When family members are empowered and equipped with knowledge and guidance to support their loved ones struggling with SUD, those individuals are more likely to pursue and receive evidence-based treatment and families achieve better outcomes.
What does the Family Support Services for Addiction Act do?
The Family Support Services for Addiction Act (FSSAA) is a family and community-based approach to addiction treatment that works to address the deep-seated effects of the addiction crisis on families. The FSSAA would establish a grant program for nonprofit family community organizations that provide support for families of individuals struggling with a SUD.
What are family support services?
Family support services, also commonly called family peer support or parent peer support, offer hope, guidance, advocacy, and camaraderie for families of those receiving services from mental health, substance use, and related service systems. These services can include information and referral, support groups, system navigation to assist a family in finding or accessing resources, parent training and education, specialized crisis support, and more.
Support for the Family Support Services for Addiction Act (FSSAA)House: Representatives David Trone (D-MD) and Dan Meuser (R-PA)
Senate: Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
Advocates: Partnership to End Addiction (formerly Center on Addiction + Partnership for Drug-Free Kids), The Kennedy Forum, Faces & Voices of Recovery, Addiction Policy Forum, the American Psychological Association, Attack Addiction (Delaware), Not One More (Alabama), Not One More (Pennsylvania), Parents Helping Parents (Oklahoma), Hope Sheds Light (New Jersey), Drug Free Workplace PA (Pennsylvania) and Family Education
