On January 8, 2024, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, representing Texas's 28th Congressional District, announced a new allocation of $545,000 in federal funding for Serving Children and Adults in Need’s (SCAN) Familias Unidas Project. This initiative aims to address substance use disorders among teenagers and young adults. This marks the third allocation of funding since the fiscal year 2021, bringing the cumulative award amount to $1,635,000.

The Familias Unidas Project specifically targets adolescents and transitional-aged youth struggling with substance use disorders or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. The funding will also extend support to the families and primary caregivers of the individuals affected, providing them with tools to combat these challenging issues. In total, 500 individuals are expected to benefit from this latest funding.

Congressman Cuellar expressed his appreciation for SCAN's vital role in the community, stating, "SCAN provides an invaluable service to our community. With their services, South Texans can access quality mental health and substance abuse care. Even more importantly, their work saves lives."

Highlighting SCAN's commitment to the well-being of the youth and young adults, Dr. Cuellar emphasized the importance of continued federal support. The funding for the Familias Unidas Project is set to continue until the fiscal year 2026, with the projected final total reaching $2,725,000.

This recent allocation follows Dr. Cuellar's ongoing dedication to drug and substance abuse prevention. In 2023, he announced a substantial $4,750,000 in federal funding to combat drug and substance abuse in Webb County. This included $2,000,000 for the Webb County 406th Judicial District Adult Drug Court Program, $2,000,000 for the Webb County Court at Law II DWI Court Program, and $750,000 for the Webb County Court at Law II Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program.