The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is distributing $3 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan for its mental health and substance use block grant programs, according to a news release from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) Program and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program (SABG) will disperse $1.5 billion each to states and territories (with the latter also awarding money to a tribe). This follows the March announcement of supplemental funding of nearly $2.5 billion for these programs. SAMHSA, an operating division of HHS, has expedited federal funding to grantees to help communities grappling with mental health and substance use needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MHBG program enables states and territories to provide comprehensive community mental health services and address needs and gaps in existing treatment services for those with severe mental health conditions. Meanwhile, the SABG program allows states and territories to plan, implement and evaluate activities to prevent, treat and help more people recover from substance use disorder.
