Federal Policy
SAMHSA Awards $247.9 Million in Behavioral Health Grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced September 25 that it awarded $247.9 million in grants to expand access to addiction treatment, mental health services, and recovery support. The funds will support school-based mental health services, trauma treatment for children and families, overdose reversal efforts by first responders and communities, and employment support for people in recovery. The awards take effect immediately for grantees nationwide. For state Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations, these federal grants represent new resources that may complement or coordinate with Medicaid-funded behavioral health services, particularly for populations eligible for both programs.
Why it mattersThese SAMHSA grants create opportunities for Medicaid agencies and health plans to coordinate with new federally-funded behavioral health providers and services, potentially reducing unmet needs and supplementing Medicaid network capacity.