The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) submitted an application on 9/1/2011 to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for Block Grant funding for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2012-2013. The application will be combined for Community Mental Health (CMH) and Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention (SAPT) services for youth and adults throughout the state’s 11 health and human services regions. While the application was combined, block grant funding will remain separate. The block grant federal funds provide approximately $33 million dollars a year to Texas for the provision of CMH Services and approximately $135 million dollars for SAPT services.
What are the Block Grants - How do they help States?
The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Block grant programs award funds to states to establish, expand or enhance an organized, community-based system for providing mental health services for adults with serious mental illness (SMI), children with serious emotional disturbances (SED), and adults and adolescents with Substance Use Disorders (SUD). Funds awarded to the state are to be used to carry out the approved state plan, to evaluate programs and services set in place under the plan, and to conduct planning, administration and educational activities related to the provision of services under the plan. The CMH Services Block Grant accounts for approximately 5% of DSHS expenditures of Community Mental Health. The SAPT block grant accounts for approximately 87% of DSHS expenditures on substance abuse service
Block Grant Application Structure and Format
As part of the block grant application process, DSHS determined priority areas for the use of block grant funds which include services for federally required populations, other populations determined to be in need and enhancements to the service system. For each of the priorities, DSHS identified goals and strategies to be met during the FFY 2012-2013 years. Addressing these priorities and meeting the goals and strategies is how DSHS intends to utilize block grant funds.
If you have any questions or need further information about the plan please contact:
Mary Sowder, Operation Services
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 149347, Mail Code: 2053,
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
Mary.Sowder@dshs.state.tx.us