San Antonio is tackling two of its biggest public health challenges—addiction and long COVID—through nearly $10 million in federal funding aimed at addressing health inequities amplified by the pandemic. The grant, part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) passed in 2021, will flow through UT Health San Antonio to fund projects aimed at improving access to care and health literacy throughout Bexar County.

Where the Money’s Going
UT Health San Antonio’s Be Well Institute on Substance Use and Related Disorders is the main beneficiary of this funding, receiving over $7 million. This investment will directly support local programs aimed at substance use treatment, mental health, and peer recovery support services, especially for individuals struggling with homelessness and addiction. The remaining $2.3 million is awarded to Health Confianza, an initiative dedicated to health literacy, which will focus on long COVID and chronic disease education in underserved San Antonio communities.

A Breakdown of Initiatives
Be Well Institute’s funding is targeted at building a more comprehensive support system for addiction recovery across the city. This includes launching a Mobile Medical Team in collaboration with Corazón San Antonio to deliver substance use treatment directly to those who need it most. Many individuals facing homelessness or addiction often lack transportation or access to health facilities, so this mobile unit will bring addiction care, mental health support, and recovery resources directly to them. Jennifer Sharpe Potter, director of the Be Well Institute, described the funding as a “lifeline” for those facing compounded health and housing challenges, adding, “Too many people are unable to get the care they need due to limited access, fragmented care, and stigma.”

In another effort to strengthen addiction recovery support, Be Well is collaborating with Unity Recovery to establish Bexar County’s first recovery community center. The center, a hub for peer-led support, will be open seven days a week, offering a consistent resource for individuals working through recovery, as well as their family members.

Meanwhile, Health Confianza’s $2.3 million funding will bolster its health literacy programs, a critical tool in addressing long COVID, chronic illness, and other health concerns exacerbated by pandemic disparities. Health Confianza will expand into high-priority ZIP codes across Bexar County to provide training and resources on navigating the health care system. This will include sessions on managing long COVID symptoms, which disproportionately affect those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Jason Rosenfeld, Health Confianza’s co-director, emphasized that the goal is to “empower community members to take charge of their own physical and mental health,” while strengthening the ability of local clinics and social services to coordinate care effectively.

Funding Source: ARPA’s Impact on Community Health
These initiatives are made possible by ARPA, the federal relief package signed into law in 2021 to help communities recover from COVID’s economic and health impacts. In Bexar County, ARPA’s funding is not only addressing immediate needs, like addiction treatment and health literacy for long COVID, but also laying the groundwork for long-term resilience in public health. UT Health San Antonio, one of the state’s largest academic health institutions, is tasked with deploying these funds in ways that provide both short- and long-term benefits for San Antonio’s vulnerable populations.

Looking Ahead
As San Antonio grapples with these overlapping health challenges, its City Council will vote on November 21 to consider officially declaring overdose fatalities a public health crisis. If passed, this would be the city’s first formal recognition of the opioid and overdose crisis, marking a new level of commitment to addressing addiction as a community health issue. Together with ARPA funding, this declaration could strengthen efforts to reduce health disparities and provide sustainable support for San Antonio’s most at-risk residents.

This influx of federal funding, paired with San Antonio’s dedicated local partners, holds promise for building a healthier, more resilient community that leaves no one behind.

Read more on the UT Health San Antonio’s website: Here