SAMHSA Block Grants

Subject: Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 196 /Wednesday, October 10, 2012 / Notice

The request for comments regarding the federal fiscal year (FY) 2014-2015 Uniform Application for the Mental Health Block Grant and Substance Abuse Block Grant is published in the October 10, 2012 edition of the Federal Register. The application document which includes both plan and reports has been posted below.

Written comments and recommendations concerning the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of the published date of this notice to the SAMHSA Desk Officer at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB). To ensure timely receipt of comments, and to avoid potential delays in OMB’s receipt and processing of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via e-mail to: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov. Although commenters are encouraged to send their comments via e-mail, commenters may also fax their comments to: 202-395-7285. Commenters may also mail them to: Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, New Executive Office Building, Room 10102, Washington, D.C. 20503.

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: 11/23/2012