The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the United States, has altered its approach to the administration of State Mental Health and Substance Abuse Block Grants. This change was undertaken to give individual States increased health funding flexibility and support in preparation for health coverage expansion in 2014.
Changes will help States serve populations previously not served by block grant funding, conduct needs assessments and develop plans to improve their accountability for quality and performance.
Another major change permits States to submit a combined mental health and substance abuse application, thereby eliminating the need for separate, duplicative applications. Applications for block grants will now take place bi-annually rather than annually.
To read about the changes SAMHSA is making to block grants for mental health and substance abuse, go to www.blog.samhsa.gov.