HHS announced seven new grant programs available to states and counties to address the nation’s youth mental health crisis Counties are directly eligible for 4 of the 7 new opportunities, totaling $27 million Counties are integral to the nation’s behavioral health system, and plan, direct and finance behavioral health services in their communities

On March 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Office of Minority Health (OMH) announced new funding opportunities for states and counties to improve and expand access to community mental health services for children and young adults. As a part of the administration’s new strategy to address the nation’s mental health crisis, this new funding seeks to improve mental health programs and services through early intervention and suicide prevention in schools, universities, foster care systems and other youth centered settings.

Counties are directly eligible for 4 of the 7 new grant programs under this funding announcement, including:

Together, these grants provide approximately $27 million in new funding opportunities for counties to improve access to mental health services for youth and young adults.

Counties are integral to the nation’s behavioral health system, investing annually more than $100 billion in community health systems, including mental health and addiction services. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the nation’s ongoing mental health crisis and exposed key gaps in access and coverage to behavioral and mental health services, with children and young adults disproportionately affected.

Through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments, counties have begun to address these areas of vulnerability, while also recognizing the need for sustained resources and support from our federal partners. Counties will continue to work with Congress and the administration to provide mental health resources for youth and advance policies and practices that tackle the nation’s mental health crisis.

For a list of the new funding opportunities, click here. Grant application deadlines vary by program and span from April 18, 2022, to May 31, 2022.

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