WASHINGTON – More than $3 million federal funding for health centers and rural health organizations across West Virginia will include a $175,700 grant for the Williamson Health and Wellness Center in Williamson.

The grants totaling $3,683,255 were announced this week by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va), according to news releases.

The funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will help increase access to substance abuse and mental health services by providing health centers support to increase personnel and leverage health information technology, as well as training to support the expansion of mental health and substance abuse services and their integration into primary care.

Capito has visited a number of the health centers and met with several of the organizations that will benefit from the funding, including the Williamson center.

"As our state continues to fight the growing opioid crisis, these resources will be critical in helping West Virginians access the substance abuse and mental health care they need," Capito said. "Not only will it help provide critical health services to those struggling with addiction and mental illness, but it will also help create jobs in our state and improve the care available in our rural communities. Having visited many of these health centers myself, I know very well how much this funding will help, and I'm thrilled to see so many receive the resources they need to provide important care to West Virginians."

Manchin said the government needs to support those on the front lines of the opioid crisis.

"These funds will provide the necessary resources to health centers and professionals fighting the opioid battle," Manchin said. "I've watched first-hand our health professionals do great work, and I look forward to them utilizing these funds to create a healthier West Virginia."

Community health centers play a critical role in southern West Virginia, Jenkins said.

"These centers ensure low-income residents have consistent access to health care and develop relationships with their doctors to improve their health," Jenkins said. "These grants will help eight community health centers continue to offer much-needed care to even more West Virginians."