Description
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2011 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 these grants is to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for improving and expanding services provided by systems of care (SOC) for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families.A "system of care" is an organizational philosophy and framework that involves collaboration across government and private agencies, providers, families, and youth for the purpose of improving access and expanding the array of coordinated community-based, culturally and linguistically competent services and supports for children and youth with a serious emotional disturbance and their families. Since the inception of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program (i.e., Children's Mental Health Initiative or CMHI) in 1992 by an act of Congress, the SOC approach has served as the conceptual and philosophical framework for systemic reform in children's mental health.An estimated 4.5 to 6.3 million children and youth in the United States suffer from a serious mental health condition (about 10%) and 20% have a diagnosable mental disorder. Approximately 65% to 80% of these children and youth do not receive the specialty mental health services and supports they need. In addition, the onset for 50% of adult mental health disorders is by age 14, and for 75% of adults it is age 24, and yet resources are limited for children, youth and their families. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in individuals in the 15-24 year age group and approximately one in five adolescents and young adults experience suicidal ideation every year.Accumulating research and evaluation results from the CMHI over the last 15 years have demonstrated that, when a SOC approach is implemented and sustained, children, youth and families experience both short and long-term benefits, including: improvement in clinical and functional outcomes, significant reductions in suicide attempts by youth, improvement in school attendance and performance, reduction in contacts with law enforcement, and reduction of reliance on inpatient settings for care. Data show that caregivers of children served within systems of care experienced reduced strain associated with caring for a child who has a serious mental health condition, more adequate resources, fewer missed days of work, and improvement in overall family functioning. Research has demonstrated that systems of care have a positive effect on the structure, organization, and availability of services for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families. The intent of the System of Care Expansion Planning Grants is to build and expand upon the progress achieved in the CMHI program during the last 18 years in addressing the mental health needs of children, youth and families. SAMHSA expects that these grants will help facilitate State/Tribal wide adoption of the System of Care framework and increase State Medicaid and other third party reimbursement for the System of Care 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. This announcement addresses Healthy People Mental Health and Mental Disorders Topic Area HP 2020.The SOC Expansion Planning Grants closely align with SAMHSA's Trauma and Justice 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.