FY 2011 Request for Applications (RFA)

Cooperative Agreements for Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (Short Title: SBIRT)

Initial Announcement

Request for Applications (RFA) No. TI-11-005
Posting on Grants.gov: March 30, 2011
Original Receipt date: May 24, 2011

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No.: 93.243

Key Dates

Application Deadline Applications are due by May 24, 2011
Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372) Applicants must comply with E.O. 12372 if their State(s) participates.  Review process recommendations from the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) are due no later than 60 days after application deadline.
Public Health System Impact Statement (PHSIS) / Single State Agency Coordination Applicants must send the PHSIS to appropriate State and local health agencies by application deadline. Comments from Single State Agency are due no later than 60 days after application deadline.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2011 Cooperative Agreements for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT).  The purpose of this program is to implement screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment services for adults in primary care and community health settings, for substance misuse and substance use disorders (SUD).  This program is designed to expand/enhance the State and Tribal continuum of care for substance misuse services and reduce alcohol and drug consumption and its negative health impact; increase abstinence and reduce costly health care utilization; promote sustainability and behavioral health information technology.  

The program is designed to expand/enhance the State/Tribe’s continuum of care to include universal, adult SBIRT services in primary care and a mix of other community settings (e.g., health centers, nursing homes, university health centers, employee assistance and job training sites, hospitals, emergency departments, office-based practices and Military, Reserve and Guard units) and supports clinically appropriate services for persons at risk (asymptomatic) for, or diagnosed with, an SUD.  It also seeks to identify and sustain systems and policy changes to increase access to treatment in generalist and specialist settings. The SBIRT program focus is consistent with the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS). The NDCS promotes behavioral health and primary care integration through early screening and brief interventions (SBI); increasing health care provider’s knowledge and use of SBI; and promotes SBI reimbursement strategies.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.  SAMHSA, in collaboration with other Federal agencies, States, Tribes, local organizations, and individuals including consumers and the recovery community, has demonstrated again and again in research and practice - prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and substance use disorders.  Behavioral health is an essential part of health service systems and community-wide strategies that work to improve health status and lower costs for families, businesses, and governments.  Through continued improvement in the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services, SAMHSA with its partners can advance and protect the Nation’s health.  In order to achieve this goal, SAMHSA has identified eight Strategic Initiatives to focus the Agency’s work on improving lives and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.  The SBIRT program addresses the Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Strategic Initiative, as well as the Health Reform Initiative.

More information on SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiatives is available at the SAMHSA web site: http://www.samhsa.gov/About/strategy.aspx.

SBIRT is one of SAMHSA’s services grant programs.  SAMHSA intends that its services grants result in the delivery of services as soon as possible after award.  Service delivery should begin by the 4th month of the project at the latest.  
SBIRT grants are authorized under 509 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.  This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Substance Abuse Topic Area HP 2020-SA.

SAMHSA strongly encourages all grantees to provide a smoke-free workplace and to promote abstinence from all tobacco products (except in regard to accepted tribal traditions and practices).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are:

  • The immediate office of the Chief Executive (e.g., Governor) in the States, Territories, and District of Columbia.

  • The highest ranking official and/or the duly authorized official of a federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native Tribe or tribal organization.

Tribal organization means the recognized body of any AI/AN Tribe; any legally established organization of American Indians/Alaska Natives which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of American Indians/Alaska Natives in all phases of its activities. The Chief Executive of the State, Territory, or District of Columbia, or the highest ranking official and/or the duly authorized official of the Tribal Organization must sign the application.  Following the initial award, the Chief Executive or highest ranking official may delegate responsibility for the grant, including signatory authority for continuation applications, to a State Agency, State Official, or duly authorized official. 

Award Information

Funding Mechanism: Cooperative Agreement
Anticipated Total Available Funding: $10 million
Anticipated Number of Awards: up to 6
Anticipated Award Amount: $1.666 million per year
Length of Project Period: Up to 5 years

Proposed budgets cannot exceed $1.666 million in total costs (direct and indirect) in any year of the proposed project.  Annual continuation awards will depend on the availability of funds, grantee progress in meeting project goals and objectives, timely submission of required data and reports, and compliance with all terms and conditions of award.

Available funding for this program is subject to the enactment of a final budget for FY 2011 or an annualized Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY 2011.  Funding estimates for this announcement are based on potential funding scenarios that reflect an annualized CR at the FY 2010 funding level but do not reflect final conference action on the 2011 budget.  Applicants should be aware that SAMHSA cannot guarantee that sufficient funds will be appropriated to fully fund this program.

Contact Information

For questions about program issues contact:

Walker R. Forman
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
1 Choke Cherry Road
Room 5-1103
Rockville, Maryland 20857
(240) 276-2416
reed.forman@samhsa.hhs.gov

For questions on grants management and budget issues contact:

Love Foster-Horton
Office of Financial Resources, Division of Grants Management
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
1 Choke Cherry Road
Room 7-1095
Rockville, Maryland 20857
(240) 276-1653
love.foster-horton@samhsa.hhs.gov

Documents Needed to Complete a Grant Application

1. REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

YOU MUST RESPOND TO THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE RFA IN PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION.


2. GRANT Application Package

YOU MUST USE THE FORMS IN THE APPLICATION PACKAGE TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION.

Additional Materials

For further information on the forms and the application process, see Useful Information for Applicants

Additional materials available on this website include:

Last updated: 3/4/2011