The Duke Energy Foundation awarded nine grants Monday totaling $255,000 to programs that help Indiana communities grappling with mental health and substance abuse needs.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a rise in mental health and substance use disorders across Indiana,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana.

The grants include $35,000 for a workforce reintegration program in place in Indiana Region 9, which includes Jackson, Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties.

The Region 9 workforce board will leverage this funding to help individuals impacted by substance misuse with reintegration into the workforce, providing them with opportunities for work-based training and placement in high-wage, in-demand occupations.

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,600 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 860,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $2 million annually in charitable gifts to Indiana and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars.

Information: duke-energy.com/foundation