news

Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler today announced she secured $765,000 to fund the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Behavioral Health Clinic Project in Longview – advanced by the U.S. House Appropriations Committee – to extend substance use treatment for Cowlitz County residents. The project is supported by the City of Longview.

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Herrera Beutler advocated for the inclusion of this community-requested priority in the FY23 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Appropriations bill. The bill now awaits approval from the full U.S. House of Representatives.

“Even before the COVID pandemic, Cowlitz County was grappling with a rising opioid and substance use crisis. Given the surge in addiction-related challenges, it’s crucial we extend life-saving resources to those who are struggling,” Herrera Beutler said. “I’m pleased to help advance the community-backed request to strengthen the Cowlitz Tribe’s behavioral health clinic that will meaningfully address this growing issue for residents in the Cowlitz area.” 

"The City of Longview is very appreciative of the support that representative Jaime Herrera Beutler gives, and the champion she continues to be, for Longview and the greater Cowlitz County region. As Mayor of Longview and on behalf of the Longview community, I give my sincere gratitude to Representative Herrera Beutler for appropriating $765,000 towards the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Community Funding Project. These much-needed funds will allow the Tribe to provide and expand their behavioral health services and help more individuals in need within our community to begin their path of healing,” Longview Mayor MaryAlice Wallis said.

Project funding details:

Cowlitz Indian Tribe Behavioral Health Clinic Project in Longview - $765,000

• The Cowlitz Indian Tribe (the Tribe) is requesting funding to provide renovations and improvements necessary to carry out and expand substance use treatment programs and services in the community. Cowlitz County is experiencing climbing overdose death rates, and the opioid epidemic has been exacerbated by the isolation imposed by the COVID epidemic and the influx of fentanyl. The Cowlitz Tribe recently secured a permanent facility for expansion of their substance use disorder and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program. The facility requires limited renovation to make it accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and to increase energy efficiency, allowing the Tribe to provide and expand their behavioral health services for more individuals.