Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Grant Program

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Grant Program. Eligible children for services include children from birth to not more than 12 years of age, who are at risk for, show early signs of, or have been diagnosed with a mental illness including a serious emotional disturbance. The purpose of this program is to improve outcomes for these children by developing, maintaining, or enhancing infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment services, including: (1) programs for infants and children at significant risk of developing, showing early signs of, or having been diagnosed with a mental illness, including a serious emotional disturbance (SED) and/or symptoms that may be indicative of a developing SED in children with a history of in utero exposure to substances such as opioids, stimulants or other drugs that may impact development; and (2) multigenerational therapy and other services that strengthen positive caregiving relationships. Programs funded under this FOA must be evidence-informed or evidence-based, and culturally and linguistically appropriate. SAMHSA expects this program will increase access to a full range of infant and early childhood services and build workforce capacity for individuals serving children from birth to age 12. Programs must describe a pathway to sustainability and will be expected to develop a plan for the dissemination of the program to other sites and settings.