Newswise — The implementation of the Affordable Care Act will greatly expand health insurance coverage to people with mental and substance use disorders. Through its discretionary grant and other programs, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is working to ensure that mental health and substance abuse treatment services are advanced in concert with the entire health system.
To further this effort SAMHSA announced as part of its strategic initiative on health reform 20 new mental health transformation grants totaling up to $71.5 million over the next five years. The purpose of the program is to bring about needed changes in the organization, management and delivery of public mental health services.
“Preparing the way for the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, these grants will begin to transform the way mental health services are delivered for adults with mental illnesses in communities across America,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “These grants will help build service systems that put the individual’s needs first and bring the resources into play that create pathways to recovery.”
In addition to putting needed infrastructure into place, the grants will fund services including supportive housing, employment and education programs, prevention and wellness services, trauma-informed care programs, and special services for military families.
It is expected that up to $14.3 million per year will be available to fund the 20 grants. Awardees are eligible for up to $750,000 per year for up to five years. The actual amounts may vary, depending on the availability of funds, community needs, and the performance of the grantees.
The awardees and the first year amounts are listed below:
| Grantees | City | State | First Year Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| TN Dept of Mental Health and Dev. Disab. | Nashville | TN | $728,346 |
| Vermont Department of Mental Health | Waterbury | VT | $734,199 |
| State of New Mexico-Human Services Dept. | Santa Fe | NM | $734,500 |
| Dena’ Nena’ Henash | Fairbanks | AK | $734,500 |
| Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin | Keshena | WI | $403,734 |
| County of Lake | Waukegan | IL | $734,500 |
| Idaho Dept. of Health & Welfare | Boise | ID | $734,500 |
| County of Somerset- Richard Hall (CMHC) | Bridgewater | NJ | $728,749 |
| County of Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | CA | $728,691 |
| Connecticut Dept. of MH & AS | Hartford | CT | $734,500 |
| OK Dept. of MH & SA | Oklahoma City | OK | $734,500 |
| Wash. State Dept. of Social & Health Ser. | Olympia | WA | $734,500 |
| State of Colorado | Denver | CO | $734,500 |
| Kalamazoo County CMH | Nazareth | MI | $734,500 |
| King County | Seattle | WA | $734,500 |
| City St. Louis Mntl Hlth Brd of Trustees | St. Louis | MO | $734,500 |
| Department of Health and Social Services | New Castle | DE | $734,500 |
| Network 180 | Grand Rapids | MI | $734,500 |
| County of BeaverI | Beaver FallsI | PAI | $733,984 |
| State of Hawaii Department of Health | Honolulu | HI | $731,797 |
SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
RSS