Planning Grants for Expansion of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families Program, (Short Title: System of Care Expansion Planning Grants)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2014 for Planning Grants for Expansion of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families (System of Care Expansion Planning Grants). The purpose of this program is to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for improving, expanding and sustaining services provided through a system of care (SOC) approach for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families. The intent of the System of Care Expansion Planning Grants is to build and expand upon the progress achieved in the Comprehensive Community Mental Health for Children and Their Families Program (CMHI) by addressing the mental health needs of children, youth, and families/caregivers. SAMHSA expects that these grants will help facilitate state/tribal and territory wide adoption of SOC framework and increase state Medicaid and other third party reimbursement for the SOC spectrum of services and supports. Applicants are expected to create comprehensive and sustainable plans for infrastructure, services, and supports that are consistent with the requirements authorized under Section 561 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The SOC Expansion Planning Grants closely align with SAMHSA’s Trauma and Justice, Recovery Support, and Health Reform Strategic Initiatives by focusing resources on reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American communities and addressing the behavioral health impacts of trauma through a systematic public health approach. In addition, SOC Expansion Planning Grants provide support for transition age youth by facilitating collaboration between child and adult serving agencies when serving older youth who are transitioning to adulthood. The SOC Expansion Planning Grants are authorized under Section 561-565 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Mental Health and Mental Disorders Topic Area HP 2020-MHMD.