The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $96.7 million in grants and cooperative agreements on Monday to strengthen a range of behavioral health services and initiatives across the nation.
The grants were funded through HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Services provided include support for homeless individuals with serious mental illness, suicide prevention and early intervention, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, peer support and more.
SAMHSA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher Carroll said in a statement the investments reflect the agency’s “commitment to making sure people can get the right support at the right time” regardless of circumstances.
“By expanding access to treatment, strengthening the behavioral health workforce, and supporting communities on the front lines, we are helping more Americans move from crisis to stability and toward lasting recovery,” Caroll said.
Programs awarded the funding are:
- Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH): $63.4 million
- Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention: $16.8 million
- Community Programs for Outreach and Intervention with Youth and Young Adults at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR-P): $7.1 million
- Providers Clinical Support System – Substance Use Disorder Treatment (PCSS-SUD Treatment): $2.9 million
- Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH): $1.9 million
- Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (COE-ED): $1.8 million
- Statewide Consumer Network (SCN): $1.7 million
- Targeted Capacity Expansion-Special Projects (TCE-SP): $1.1 million
“Every American deserves the opportunity to recover and live with dignity,” said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary, in a statement. “These investments will expand access to treatment, strengthen behavioral health services, and help more people move from crisis to recovery. That is how we restore health, rebuild lives, and strengthen our communities.”
In late June, Kennedy announced more than $700 million in newly opened funding opportunities for services related to mental illness, addiction and homelessness—including $96 million toward its new Safety Through Recovery, Engagement and Evidence-based Treatment and Supports (STREETS)
The STREETS initiative was announced by the agency in February and funds targeted outreach, psychiatric care, medical stabilization and crisis intervention for individuals experiencing homelessness and SUD.