Lehigh County Board of Commissioners held its first formal meeting of the new year Jan. 11 under the helm of newly appointed chairman Marty Nothstein.

During the meeting, the board unanimously voted to approve a subrecipient grant in the amount of $500,000 to Treatment Trends Inc., Allentown. The funding specifically comes from the state office of mental health and substance abuse services.

Commissioner Geoff Brace, sponsor of the bill, explained the purpose of the grant.

According to Brace, the grant is part of Gov. Tom Wolf’s Centers for Public Excellence initiative.

“This is contracting [Lehigh County] as an agent,” Brace said.

Treatment Trends Inc. is one of 20 centers throughout the state with the goal of providing care and treatment for those battling addiction.

Brace spoke on the heroin and opioid crisis affecting communities across Pennsylvania.

“It’s pretty much known in the community as a public health problem,” he said.

The board was expected to hold its next meeting 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 S. Seventh St., Allentown.