CLINTON, MICH. — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced $700 million in federal funding for mental health and addiction programs during an event in Clinton, Mich. The announcement was made under the Great American Recovery Initiative.

The funding announcement emphasizes addressing homelessness that can result from untreated mental illness. He spoke alongside Kathryn Burgum, co-chair of the Great American Recovery Initiative. Multiple federal funding notices had been delayed for several months, and several funding notices were posted recently by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The agency's announcement includes grants for opioid response in Native American tribes, drug court expansion, and community mobilization for recovery support. Multiple programs in the funding announcement were previously available during the Biden administration.

He stated that the new investments advance President Trump's Great American Recovery Initiative. He said, "Through more than $700 million in new investments, we are advancing President Trump's Great American Recovery Initiative and addressing the addiction and serious mental illness that fuel homelessness across America." He also criticized harm reduction strategies during the announcement.

The Trump administration also announced $96 million for the Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment and Support (STREETS) initiative. He said that STREETS is designed to help people living with addiction and serious mental illness off the streets and into treatment, and recovery and stability. This initiative targets substance use and severe mental illness among homeless individuals, with eligibility restricted to cities, counties, and Native American tribal organizations. The administration indicated it would prioritize collaboration with faith-based organizations for mental health initiatives.

Behavioral health experts identified the announced funds as previously authorized grants rather than new appropriations. Andrew Kessler, a behavioral health advocate and political consultant, stated that there are challenges in the field. Kessler said, "Our biggest challenges remain a shorthanded workforce, poor reimbursement, and not enough resources to handle the challenges we face." He also noted that the treatment and recovery community understands effective approaches. He said, "The treatment and recovery community have an excellent grasp on what works. Our evidence base is extensive." He acknowledged the scale of the issue during his remarks. "We have a huge drug problem here in our country. $700 million is not going to solve that problem." The agency has not received a funding increase in years.