SAMHSA Block Grants

Subject: Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 135 / Friday, July 13, 2012 / Notice

The request for comments regarding the proposed federal fiscal year (FY) 2014-2015 Uniform Application for the Mental Health Block Grant and Substance Abuse Block Grant is published in the July 13, 2012 edition of the Federal Register.  The application document which includes both plan and reports has been posted below.

All written comments should be received within 60 days of the published date of this notice.  Written comments are to be submitted to Ms. Summer King, SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 2–1057, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, Maryland 20857 or e-mail comments to blockgrants@samhsa.hhs.gov.

FY 2014-2015 Information

What are the Block Grants?

  • The Block Grants are grants given to States to allow States to address their unique behavioral health issues.
  • There are two block grants, the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) and the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG).

What is the purpose of the Block Grants?

States will use the Block Grant program for prevention, treatment, recovery supports and other services that will supplement services covered by Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance. Specifically the Block Grant funds are directed toward four purposes:

  • Fund priority treatment and support services for individuals without insurance or for whom coverage is terminated for short periods of time.
  • Fund those priority treatment and support services not covered by Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance for low income individuals and that demonstrate success in improving outcomes and/or supporting recovery.
  • Fund primary prevention - universal, selective and indicated prevention activities and services for persons not identified as needing treatment.
  • Collect performance and outcome data to determine the ongoing effectiveness of behavioral health promotion, treatment and recovery support services and plan the implementation of new services on a nationwide basis.

FY 2012-13 Block Grants

Last updated: 09/07/2012