Rep. Cuellar Announces $2,000,000 in Federal Funding for Webb County Veterans’ Substance Abuse Treatment

Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, announced $2,000,000 in federal funding for Webb County's Veterans Treatment Program (VTP).

These dollars will be used to expand the existing Veterans Treatment Court Program, significantly increasing their ability to reduce substance abuse and improve mental health.

"As a member of Congress, I have an obligation to care for and honor America's veterans and their families for their undeniable service. These federal dollars will provide and expand essential substance abuse and mental health resources for our brave veterans who have served our country," said Congressman Cuellar. "This project is expected to benefit over 200 veterans across South Texas - including those in Webb County, Zapata County, Jim Hogg County, Starr County, and Duval County. This funding will provide an integrated drug treatment program, drug abuse education, and rehabilitation services for veterans. Thank you to all the veterans in South Texas and across the nation who bravely served our nation."

"Thank you, Congressman Henry Cuellar, for your steadfast support of our veterans and for securing essential funding to expand the Veterans Treatment Program. Your commitment is instrumental in reaching and supporting veterans with complex needs, including those with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. Your efforts ensure that these individuals receive the crucial assistance they need and deserve," said local Vietnam War Veteran Jesus Segovia.

This funding will benefit veterans across South Texas, including those in Webb County and five of its neighboring rural counties including Zapata, Jim Hogg, Starr, Duval, and Jim Wells. These areas are not currently being serviced due to a lack of treatment resources.

The VTP will provide participants with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which has proven to be effective in decreasing the number of suicide attempts and self-injurious behavior and improving social adjustment. They will also provide Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which will help reduce trauma symptoms and treat Post Traumatic Stress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and other effects of war and military service. Spouses and Family members of VTP participants will also be provided with 18 sessions of the Support and Family Education (SAFE) Program: Mental Health Facts for Families.

This will provide appropriate education and support for family members on mental illness and PTSD.

The VTP will coordinate with the Webb County VA clinic to integrate services like medication management and psychiatric and social services.

Expanding the program will see 210 veterans treated, increasing the treatment group by 75 people.

Funding comes from the Department of Health & Human Services' Center for Substance Abuse Treatment through their Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program. This funding will be provided over a 5-year project period including, $400,000 for this upcoming year.

Dr. Cuellar has long fought for our veterans. Together with funding provided in the last appropriations bill, Dr. Cuellar helped secure a total of $134.8 billion in discretionary appropriations for the VA for fiscal year 2024, an increase of $48 million above the fiscal year 2023 enacted level. Of this amount, the bill included:

• $121 billion for Veterans Medical Care, equal to the fiscal year 2024 budget request
• $16.2 billion for Mental Healthcare, including $559 million for suicide prevention outreach
• $3.1 billion for Homeless Assistance Programs.
• $231 million for Substance Use Disorder programs
• $108 million for Whole Health Initiatives, which is $22 million above the fiscal year 2023 enacted level

Dr. Cuellar continues fighting for veterans in D.C. Recently, the House Appropriations Committee released text for the upcoming VA Supplemental Bill. The Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act addresses the $3 billion shortfall in mandatory funding and ensures veterans across the country receive the benefits they earned. Dr. Cuellar plans on voting for this supplemental bill, which will come up for a vote next week.

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