Newswise — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is awarding up to $14 million for planning grants to expand Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families (Short Title: System of Care Expansion Planning Grants). The purpose of these grants is to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for improving and expanding services provided by systems of care for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families.
A “system of care” is an organizational philosophy and framework that is designed to create a network of effective community-based services and supports to improve the lives of children and youth with or at risk of serious mental health conditions and their families. Systems of care build meaningful partnerships with families and youth, address cultural and linguistic needs, and use evidence-based practices to help children, youth and families function better at home, in school, in the community and throughout life.
“System of care grants bring a wide array of positive forces together in communities to improve almost every aspect of a young person’s health and well-being – including their behavioral health,” said SAMHSA Administrator, Pamela S. Hyde. “In addition it builds an environment where families and entire communities also benefit from these enhanced services.”
The program will provide up to 24 grants with grants of up to between $300,000 to $800,000 for up to one year. The actual amounts of the grants will depend on the availability of funds and the performance of the grantees.
SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
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