Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) 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) Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program (SABG) COVID-19 Relief Supplemental Funds Grant (Approved) and FY 2021 Substance Abuse 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 Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) 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 . . . Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment 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.

The SABG program is designed to provide funds to States, Territories, and one Indian Tribe for the purpose of planning, implementing and evaluating activities to prevent and treat substance use disorder (SUD). States may use this supplemental COVID-19 Relief funding to (1) promote effective planning, monitoring, and oversight of efforts to deliver SUD prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services; (2) promote support for providers; (3) maximize efficiency by leveraging the current infrastructure and capacity; and (4) address local SUD related needs during the COVID pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people with SUD. Provisional data from CDC show more than 81,000 deaths from drug overdoses in the 12-months ending May 2020. This total is 18 percent higher than the total for the prior 12 months and 20 percent greater than in the calendar year 2018. Overdose deaths from cocaine also increased by 26.5 percent in the past year. In large part, these deaths have been linked to co-use or contamination of cocaine with illicitly manufactured fentanyl or heroin. Overdose mortality from stimulants, such as methamphetamine, increased by 34.8 percent over the past year. All these upward trends have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The implication is that public health recommendations such as social distancing, while necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19, can result in people with SUD feeling isolated and lonely. In turn, isolation and loneliness lead to increased stress, anxiety, drinking of alcohol or misuse of substances, and continued increases in opioid overdose mortality.

The SABG is s 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 Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment 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. 

To review the current 2020-2021 application, please take the following steps:

  1. Go to https://bgas.samhsa.gov.
  2. Enter the username and password (these are case sensitive): 
    • Username – citizenga
    • Password – citizen
  3. Select “View Existing Application”
  4. Select "2020-2021 SABG Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan"
  5. Select “View Application”
  6. Select the “Attachments” Tab (left-hand side of the page)
  7. From the dropdown menu select “2021 Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment  Block Grant Plan” and click the “Go” button
  8. To review the ARPA submitted spend plan select “FY 21 SABG American Rescue Act Supplemental Funding Spend Plan” and click to download the PDF file
  9. To review the COVID approved Supplemental Funding Plan select “Primary Prevention Revision 07-01-21_Georgia SABG COVID Supplemental spend Plan Final 4-1-21 revision” 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 Cassandra Price at [email protected].  Please use the subject line “Block Grant Public Comments”