Senator McConnell Continues Efforts to Address Impact of the Substance Abuse Epidemic on Kentucky’s Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act of 2025, which helps address the impact of substance abuse on America’s workforce. This bill reauthorizes and improves federal programs that support individuals in states most devastated by substance abuse to reenter the workforce.
The CAREER Act supports Americans recovering from substance use disorder by providing funding for stable, transitional housing, and by providing the support they need to reenter the workforce and maintain gainful employment. The legislation reauthorizes and builds on the success of two programs created by the CAREER Act: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s Treatment, Recovery and Workforce Support Grant Program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Recovery Housing Program.
Since the CAREER Act was first signed into law, Kentucky has received about $12.5 million in federal funding. Through SAMHSA’s workforce reentry program, Isaiah House, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, and Mountain Comprehensive Care Center have received several million dollars in federal funding over the past few years to address workforce participation challenges caused by the prevalence of substance abuse in Kentucky.
“The substance abuse epidemic has claimed lives in Kentucky at an unprecedented rate, but this problem isn’t only devastating families and communities. It’s also a workforce emergency. That’s why I’m proud to once again champion legislation that addresses this crisis’s devastating effects on the American worker, and the American workforce,”
said Senator McConnell.
“Since shepherding the CAREER Act into law six years ago, and funding it through the annual appropriations process, this legislation has helped countless Kentuckians return to productive, healthy lives through the structure and support that come from stable housing and employment. This epidemic requires our continued attention, and we’ll keep working to deliver the tools Kentuckians in recovery need to rebuild their lives and stay drug free.”
"The CAREER Act and its Recovery Housing Program have been transformative for our recovery consumers at Pathways, as can be seen through the women we serve at The Journey, our Women’s Residential Recovery Center. By addressing the critical connection between stable housing, recovery, and workforce development, this program empowers women, expectant mothers, and postpartum women to rebuild their lives while nurturing their families. Through the support of the CAREER Act, we’ve seen remarkable success stories at The Journey—mothers who’ve overcome addiction, found meaningful employment, and created stable, loving environments for their babies. One graduate, for example, completed her recovery program, gained skills through workforce training, and is now a certified peer support specialist helping others on their journey to recovery. Programs like The Journey do not just transform individual lives; they strengthen families and uplift entire communities. The CAREER ACT and the Recovery Housing Program help make these programs a reality and we are grateful to Senator McConnell for his support,”
said Jennifer Willis, CEO, Pathways, Inc.
The CAREER ACT is cosponsored by Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN).
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