Biden-Harris Administration Announces $74.4 Million in Funding Opportunities to Improve Behavioral Health

 Funding opportunities for grant programs that address behavioral health challenges in local communities by preventing substance use initiation, reducing the progression of substance use, and addressing other related concerns

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced notices of funding opportunities this week for grant programs that address behavioral health challenges in local communities by preventing substance use initiation, reducing the progression of substance use, and addressing other related concerns. The grant opportunities total about $74.4 million and are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities to beat the overdose epidemic and tackle the mental health crisis – two key pillars of the President’s Unity Agenda for the nation.   

“By supporting the development and delivery of community-based behavioral health services, we promote positive outcomes and advance health equity,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “This funding emphasizes the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to providing the resources our local communities need.”  

“SAMHSA is committed to improving access to behavioral health care services in America's communities,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. “This funding is a critical investment to help organizations in those communities to implement comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to prevent and address substance misuse and promote mental health.” 

These awards facilitate ongoing efforts across HHS to advance the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy, which is focused on prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. These awards also support the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive mental health strategy as well as  the National Drug Control Strategy, which delivers on President Biden’s Unity Agenda for a whole-of-government approach to beat the overdose epidemic and tackle the mental health crisis.  

The grant funding opportunities being announced are:  

• Grants for Expansion and Sustainability of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances (CMHI) – $30.4 million. The purpose of this program is to provide resources to improve the mental health outcomes for children and youth, birth through age 21, at risk for or who have serious emotional disturbances, and their families.   
• Tribal Behavioral Health - $13.1 million – The purpose of this program is to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance use/misuse, prevent overdose, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among American Indian/Alaska Native youth, up to and including age 24, by building a healthy network of systems, services, and partnerships that impact youth.  
• Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success for States – $15.5 million – The purpose of this program is to help states, including U.S. Territories, Pacific Jurisdictions and the District of Columbia, reduce the onset and progression of substance misuse and its related problems by supporting the development and delivery of state and community substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion services.     
• Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success for Communities, Local Governments, Universities, Colleges, and Tribes/Tribal Organizations – $15.5 million – The purpose of this program is to help communities, local governments, universities, colleges and tribes/tribal organizations reduce the onset and progression of substance misuse and its related problems by supporting the development and delivery of community-based substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion services.  

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).  

Reporters with questions should send inquiries to media@samhsa.hhs.gov.