Efforts will address homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorders with well-established and trusted partners in Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Francisco Counties

The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation, has awarded $1.2 million in substance use disorder grants to five California-based organizations. The multi-year grants will help those experiencing mental health and substance use disorders transition from treatment, incarceration, or other high-risk settings to stable housing environments and provide access to evidence-based resources for prevention, treatment, and recovery in Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Francisco counties.

“Substance use disorder continues to be a public health challenge that’s taking too big of a toll in our communities here in the Golden State,” said Anthem Blue Cross Commercial Plan President Beth Andersen. “We are taking a holistic approach and focusing on local programs aimed at addressing an array of care and service options and working to enhance the quality of life and health of Californians, particularly those who are experiencing substance abuse disorders, which is a testament to our dedication to the communities we serve."

The five California grantees include:

• Homeboy Industries (Los Angeles): $300,000 for “Promoting Mental Well-being and Resiliency for Systems-Impacted People: Homeboy’s Health and Wellness Program”
• LA Family Housing (Los Angeles): $250,000 for “Substance Use & Mental Health Programs for People Living in Permanent Supportive Housing”
• Downtown Women’s Center (Los Angeles): $200,000 for “Building Capacity to Address Substance Use Disorder for Women in Skid Row”
• Good Shepherd Gracenter (San Francisco): $75,000 for “Transitional Housing Recovery Program for Homeless Women Seeking Long-Term Recovery From Addiction”
• California Health Collaborative (Fresno): $400,000 for “Maternal Wellness - Perinatal Substance Use Task Force”

Concerns about mental health and substance use remain elevated three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 90% of U.S. adults believing that the country is facing a mental health crisis, according to a recent KFF/CNN survey.

These grants are part of up to $30 million the Elevance Health Foundation plans to invest through 2024 – with more than $2 million currently invested in California – to make significant progress toward reducing substance use disorders and their health impacts.

About Anthem Blue Cross Foundation

The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association, is a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation. The Foundation works to address health equity by focusing on improving the health of the socially vulnerable through strategic partnerships and programs in our communities with an emphasis on maternal child health; mental health; and food as medicine. Additionally, the Foundation also responds to disasters when our communities need us the most. The Foundation coordinates the company’s year-round Dollars for Dollars program which provides a 100 percent match of associates’ donations, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. To learn more about the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and the Elevance Health Foundation, please visit www.elevancehealth.foundation and its blog at www.medium.com/elevancehealthfoundation.

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