SAMHSA Allocates Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse Funds

HHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said it awarded $42.3 million in new supplemental funding to states and territories through two federal block grants to accelerate adoption and implementation of the Best Practices Toolkit: Addressing Homelessness and Addiction through Treatment First.

An additional $2 million was also awarded to the national office and all 10 regional centers of the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network to support implementation.

“President Trump has directed us to break the cycle of homelessness and addiction by putting treatment, recovery, and self-sufficiency first,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “These investments will help states move people from crisis into treatment and from treatment into lasting recovery, stable housing, and work. We are funding results that help people reclaim their health and independence.”

With the Treatment First approach, the objective is lasting stability — not another temporary stop in the cycle between the street, shelter, emergency room, and criminal justice system. Helping people engage in effective treatment, supporting lasting recovery, and promoting self-sufficiency can improve individual lives while strengthening communities.

Where the Money Goes

Of the $42.3 million, $17.3 million was awarded to Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) recipients, SAMHSA said. The supplemental funding will help states and territories build the systems, partnerships, workforce capacity, policies, and technical infrastructure needed to put Treatment First principles into practice. The funding is focused on technical assistance, training, policy development, and cross-system coordination rather than the direct provision of treatment services, the agency said.

Another $25 million was awarded to Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUPTRS BG) recipients to expand capacity for safe, licensed, certified or chartered sober and recovery housing nationwide.

“The supplement provides funding for training and technical assistance to enhance efforts to increase the supply of recovery residences and strengthen quality and accountability standards that give individuals in recovery greater choice in selecting housing that supports long-term sobriety and self-sufficiency,” SAMHSA said.

The SUPTRS BG funding supplement is designed to work in tandem with an additional $2 million in supplemental funding awarded to all 10 regional ATTCs and the ATTC National Coordinating Office, ensuring that best practices for workforce training, licensure, certification, charter support, and outcome measurement tools needed for successful implementation are shared nationwide.

Comments or questions? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.