Washington, D.C.— This week, President Trump signed legislation boosting funding to an opioid recovery grant program, authored and championed by U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY). First enacted in 2018, the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act created a targeted funding stream for treatment recovery centers to help individuals overcome addiction and successfully transition back into the workforce.
The CAREER Act grant program was included in the comprehensive SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, an extensive package focused on opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery. Under this reauthorization, programs funded through the CAREER Act received a $7 million annual increase, bringing total funding to $210 million. This boost provides critical resources to treatment providers nationwide, empowering individuals struggling with substance use disorder to rebuild their lives and reenter the workforce.
“Kentucky’s made significant strides in reducing overdose deaths thanks to the incredible efforts of our providers, but our fight against addiction is not over,” said Congressman Barr. “I’m grateful to Chairman Guthrie for his leadership on the SUPPORT Act, which reauthorized and expanded funding for the CAREER Act. This legislation equips providers on the frontlines with the tools they need to help individuals in recovery successfully return to the workforce, reclaiming the dignity, pride, and sense of purpose.”
“Our efforts are making a real difference in combating the nation’s opioid epidemic and saving lives through impactful legislation like the SUPPORT Act and the CAREER Act,” said Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY). “I want to thank Congressman Andy Barr for his work on the CAREER Act and Chairman Brett Guthrie for bringing this whole package across the finish line.”
“CAREER Act funding has helped us target resources for Kentuckians in recovery. We have been able to establish peer-to-peer mentorship programs and enable patients to pursue educational opportunities with this funding. We are grateful for the expansion of these resources and thank Congressman Barr for his leadership,” said Kara Ball, Chief Development and Communications Officer at Isaiah House, who received a $2.4M federal grant through the CAREER Act.
Research from the Recovery Research Institute shows that helping people in recovery reconnect with the workforce not only strengthens their long-term stability, but also boosts their chances of remaining drug-free in the critical months after treatment. Meaningful employment gives individuals a renewed sense of purpose, helps restore dignity, and allows them to contribute to their families and communities as they rebuild their lives.
While overdoses in Kentucky dropped by 30% in 2024 – which is an extraordinary improvement – the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) still has Kentucky in the top ten for U.S. States and Territories in overdose death rates. In 2024, over 1,400 Kentucky families got the call that their loved one had passed away due to an overdose. This legislation will play a vital role in reducing overdose deaths and keeping families whole.