13 Million Available to Develop Community based Health Care services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2002

$13 Million Available to Develop Community-based Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) announced today the availability of funds to develop systems of care that deliver comprehensive community mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbance and their families.

This is the fifth issuance of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services Program for Children and Their Families, which has served over 50,000 children and youth since 1993. Approximately $13 million will be available to fund 13-16 awards. These awards are intended to increase coordination of services across child-serving sectors and to develop the services needed in a community to improve the lives of children with serious emotional disorders and their families. Public entities in states, counties, cities, territories and American Indian Tribes and tribal organizations are eligible for funding.

About $6 million will be set aside to fund four cooperative agreements in cities with a population larger than 500,000, and two cooperative agreements in U.S. territories. About $7 million will fund 7-10 cooperative agreements in states, counties, cities, Tribes, and tribal organizations.

"These funding opportunities promote the delivery of services in the home communities of children with emotional and behavioral disorders, rather than in costly out-of-state and out-of-community settings. Family members are encouraged to take a central role in the planning of services for their own children, and in helping to develop the system of care," stated Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "This approach is highly consistent with President Bush's New Freedom Initiative which seeks to serve individuals with disabilities in their homes and communities."

"Children with serious emotional disturbance have a broad range of medical, mental health, substance use, and psychosocial needs," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie. "Organizations that receive funding through this program must establish a network of community organizations that believe the family and community are the most important sources of treatment of children."

"The mental health needs of children with serious emotional disturbance often are provided by hospitals and residential institutions." said CMHS Director Bernard S. Arons, M.D. "Systems of care provide services in the surroundings children know best – with their families and communities."

The project period is six years and requires that eligible public entities provide matching funds throughout the funding period. Funded projects are expected to participate in a comprehensive evaluation on the effectiveness of systems of care and their components services. Through culturally competent approaches, these cooperative agreements are also intended to decrease disparities in mental health care for children from the various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups represented in the community.

Applications must be received by April 26, 2002. Details regarding all SAMHSA funding opportunities will also be published in the Federal Register and may be found on the SAMHSA website at www.samhsa.gov as they become available. Complete application kits can also be obtained by calling the CMHS Clearinghouse at 800-789-2647. Interested parties should request a copy of GFA SM-02-002, Cooperative Agreements for the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. Questions on program issues should be directed to Diane Sondheimer, (301) 443-1333, or dsondhei@samhsa.gov. Grants management questions should be directed to Steve Hudak, (301) 443-4456, or shudak@samhsa.gov.

Source: SAMHSA

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