HHS awards more than $100 million in funds to improve mental health crisis services
Author
Blaire Bryant
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
On October 21, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), awarded more than $100 million in funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) to states and territories for mental health emergency preparedness, crisis response and the expansion of 988 suicide and crisis lifeline services.
HHS awarded $59.4 million to states and territories through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program, with the recommendation that the funding be spent to address mental health emergency preparedness and crisis response efforts. An additional $50 million was also made available in supplemental grant funding, provided by BSCA, to help states and territories expand and enhance 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline services. This funding is available to 54 states and territories and awards will range from about $458,000 to $2 million and will be distributed before Dec. 31.
States and territories, in collaboration with counties, can leverage MHBG funding for a variety of comprehensive community mental health services including developing statewide mental health emergency preparedness and response plans; identifying mobile crisis teams that can be deployed rapidly throughout the state to address mental health during an emergency; providing behavioral health crisis response trainings to agencies and providers; identifying culturally and linguistically appropriate support for diverse populations; and leveraging relationships with 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call centers, child welfare organizations, schools and other community stakeholders.
Counties support legislative and regulatory action that provides direct and flexible funding to enhance the crisis response infrastructure and applaud additional investments in key federal discretionary programs that support the administration of local mental health services.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Resource
Fund Local Crisis Response Efforts
Related News
Counties encouraged to apply for newly established HHS Healthcare Advisory Committee
On August 22, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the creation of a new Healthcare Advisory Committee, aimed at providing expert guidance on pressing healthcare challenges. This new committee represents an important opportunity for counties to have a voice in shaping federal healthcare policy.
Engaging people with ‘lived experience’ helps build substance use disorder programming
Philadelphia’s Keli McLoyd noted to NACo's Health Steering Committee that increased harm reduction initiatives have led to fewer drug overdose deaths.
CMS announces grant awards to improve the continuity of care for justice-involved individuals
On September 27, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced $106.5 million in state planning grants aimed at improving healthcare continuity for individuals transitioning from incarceration.