09 Sep Funding Alert! Forecasted Grants for Mental and Behavioral Health Services

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Does your organization work to improve access to and quality of mental and behavioral health services? The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has several funding opportunities opening in the coming months that will support efforts to expand workforce capacity to address community-based behavioral health needs, or efforts that focus on serving infant/early childhood mental health or children with serious emotional disturbances (SED). Below is a brief breakdown of three upcoming programs.

Which opportunities will be available?

SAMHSA has a number of opportunities forecasted for fiscal year 2022. We’ll take a look at three of these programs:

Community-Based Behavioral Health Needs

This program provides funding to help entities address local behavioral health needs that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Supported Expenses: Funds may be used to promote local care coordination among multiple entities; provide training to the mental and behavioral health workforce, stakeholders, and community members; address surge capacity; facilitate telehealth service delivery for individuals with mental and behavioral health needs; and support, enhance, or expand mental and behavioral health preventive and crisis intervention services.
• Eligibility: Local, state, tribal, and territorial law governments; community-based nonprofits, primary care, and behavioral health organizations
• Funding Available: 16 awards totaling $8.8 million
• Estimated Opportunity Post Date: January 19, 2022

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Grant Program

This program aims to improve outcomes for children from birth to 12 years old who are at risk for, show early signs of, or have been diagnosed with a mental illness, including SED. Awarded entities will develop, maintain, or enhance infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment services. While the details may change for the 2022 program, the full 2018 solicitation is available here for reference.

• Supported Expenses: Funding will support evidence-informed or evidence-based programs for infants and children at significant risk of developing, showing early signs of, or having been diagnosed with a mental illness (including SED) and programs that provide multigenerational therapy and/or other services that strengthen caregiver relationships. This program places an emphasis on workforce development, including equipping students and mental health professionals with the skills to assess and consult on infant and early childhood mental health.
• Eligibility: Human services agencies or nonprofit institutions
• Funding Available: Two awards totaling $1.2 million
• Estimated Opportunity Post Date: February 15, 2022

Expansion and Sustainability of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with SED

This program supports the implementation, expansion, and integration of the System of Care (SOC) approach to improve mental health outcomes for children and youth (birth through age 21) with SED and their families. While the details may change for the 2022 program, the full 2021 solicitation is available here for reference.

• Supported Expenses: Providing evidence-based and culturally competent mental health services to children with SED or serious mental illness (SMI); implement services and supports that engage families in the SOC; develop/enhance a governance body that provides authority and accountability for the SOC; develop collaborative partnerships with relevant entities (e.g., education, early childhood, juvenile justice, child welfare); and provide training and continuing education to service providers, individuals, and families.
• Eligibility: State and territorial governments and federal recognized tribal organizations
• Funding Available: 47 awards totaling $18.6 million
• Estimated Opportunity Post Date: February 15, 2022

What if I plan to apply? Even though the new solicitations have not been released, you can take some steps to start preparing:

• Keep an eye out for the 2022 solicitations for these programs, which will be announced on the SAMHSA grants page and gov. You can also sign up for SAMHSA’s email updates here.
• View SAMHSA’s current Grants Announcements page to see open solicitations, examples of previously funded proposals, facts sheets, tips and assistance, program contacts, and other news and resources.
• Watch the SAMHSA Applicant Webinar for information on how to submit applications.
• Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and be sure you have agov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://sam.gov/content/status-tracker.

What if I need help with this application?

Contact Assel Grant Services (AGS) today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist, will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.

What if I am not ready to apply this year?

Start preparing for next year! SAMHSA has a variety of other programs and funding opportunities available that might be a good fit. The office’s website has ample resources, webinars, and descriptions of available or upcoming opportunities.

How do I learn more about federal grant proposal writing, so my application is more likely to be successful?

AGS is excited to offer a new Federal Grants Training Series throughout 2021! The series is designed to support nonprofit leaders before and during the application process. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.

AGS blogs, funding alerts, and trainings are aligned with the Grant Professional Certification Institute’s Competencies and Skills

Competency #1: Knowledge of how to research, identify, and match funding resources to meet specific needs

Skill 1.2: Identify major trends in public funding and public policy

Skill 1.6: Identify fundable programs and projects for specific organization

Skill 1.7: Determine best matches between funders and specific programs