The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced a grant award of $690,000 to Collins Lake Autism Center located in Cleveland, New Mexico. The funds will be utilized to establish an integrated therapy center, as per the official press release.
With the support of the grant, the center intends to provide training for its counselors and therapists. They will be equipped to deliver mental health and trauma recovery services in response to the tragic wildfires that have significantly impacted the area. An additional $175,000 in local funds will be matched with the EDA’s investment.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Alejandra Y. Castillo, acknowledged the EDA’s role in supporting local communities through place-based economic development. She expressed her belief that the investment will not only aid Cleveland’s recovery from the wildfires, but also bolster a resilient regional economy by creating crucial healthcare jobs.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham added that the center is set to play a crucial role in providing essential mental health and trauma recovery services needed in the aftermath of the wildfires. The Governor highlighted that the investment in healthcare infrastructure and professional training signifies a commitment towards building a stronger, healthier future for residents.
Senator Ben Ray Luján welcomed the funding and expressed his anticipation towards witnessing how the investment will support affected families and their recovery process. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández emphasized the significance of the grant in establishing a new integrated therapy center to aid community healing and invest in mental health.
The grant is part of the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which allocated $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery. These funds are intended for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act following Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters in 2021 and 2022.
