Community Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) COVID-Related Supplement Grant Awards Application Review
DBHDD would like to offer interested persons the opportunity to review its Spend Plans for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Mental Health Block Grant Program (MHBG) COVID-19 Relief Supplemental Funds Grant (Approved) and FY 2021 Community Mental Health Block Grant Program American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Supplemental Awards (Submitted).
COVID-19 Relief Supplemental Funds Grant
In accordance with the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplement Appropriations Act, 2021 [P.L. 116-260], the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released additional funds to states through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program to assist in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific language in the Act states:
Provided further, That with respect to the amount appropriated under this heading in this Act the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. . . may waive requirements with respect to allowable activities, timelines, or reporting requirements for the . . . Community Mental Health Services Block Grant as deemed necessary to facilitate a grantee’s response to coronavirus: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
MHBG is designed to provide comprehensive community mental health services to adults with serious mental illness (SMI) or children with serious emotional disturbance (SED). States may use this supplemental COVID-19 Relief funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to SMI and SED needs and gaps due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted people with mental illness. The MHBG is a critical source of funding to states to support a continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services. SAMHSA recommended that states use the COVID-19 Relief supplemental funds wherever possible to develop and support evidence-based crisis services development and to increase access to evidence-based treatment and coordinated recovery support for those with SMI and SED. States have until March 14, 2023, to expend these funds.
FY 2021 Community Mental Health Block Grant Program American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Supplemental Awards
Public Law 117-2, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021, directed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide additional funds to support states through Block Grants to address the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic for Americans with mental illness and substance use disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated severe and pervasive health and social inequities in America, including the critical importance of supporting people with mental illness and substance use disorders. As the pandemic swept through the states, societal stress and distress over this newly emerging disaster created the need for nimble and evolving policy and planning in addressing mental and substance use disorder services. SAMHSA, asked states to improve and enhance the mental health and substance use service array that serves the community. States have until September 30, 2025, to expend these funds.
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Go to https://bgas.samhsa.gov
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Enter the username and password (these are case sensitive):
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Username - citizenga
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Password - citizen
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Select "View Existing Application"
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Select "2021 Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Plan "
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Select "View Application"
- Select “Attachments” Tab (left-hand side of the page)
- From drop-down menu select 2021 Community Mental Health Block Grant Plan and click the “Go” button
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To review the ARPA submitted spend plan select “ARPA Funding Plan 2021 (MH)” and click to download the PDF file
- To review the COVID approved Supplemental Funding Plan select “2nd Revision Request_COVID-19 Supplemental Funding Plan for FY21” and click to download the PDF file
All are welcome to review both plans as desired and provide comments to DBHDD. Comments through August 19, 2021, will be forwarded to SAMHSA. Public comments can be emailed to Jill Mays at [email protected]. Please use the subject line “Block Grant Public Comments”