Block Grant Resources

Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) Resources

Consumer Surveys: As part of the MHBG annual reporting requirements, states and territories are required to report data that evaluates the experience of care for individuals that participate in the public mental health system. Specifically, the evaluation focuses on several areas including access to services, quality and appropriateness of services, outcome, participation in treatment planning, cultural sensitivity of staff, general satisfaction with services, functioning, and social connectedness. While states and territories may use consumer survey tools of their choice, SAMHSA recommends the Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program (MHSIP) Adult Consumer Satisfaction Survey (PDF | 248 KB) and the Youth Services Survey for Families (PDF | 174 KB).
Financing Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis (1 hour, 1 minute) - Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) is an evidence-based practice model that may positively impact the life trajectory of a person experiencing their first episode of psychosis. Although CSC programs offer life changing interventions, financing these programs is challenging for several reasons. This exciting webinar is focused on disseminating the results of a recent study published by SAMHSA’s Center for Financing Reform and Innovation (CFRI) on CSC financing strategies. The webinar featured speakers from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and State Mental Health Authorities. View the report, Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis: Costs and Financing Strategies.
Letter to State Mental Health Commissioners on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) (P.L. 117-159) (PDF | 224 KB) — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is recommending that states utilize funding to strengthen and enhance mental health emergency preparedness and crisis response efforts.
A Primer on Maintenance of Effort Requirements for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant & Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (PDF | 832 KB) — An overview of MOE requirements for the two block grant programs that are vital to state substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services and state mental health services.
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Letter to the State Authority for Mental and Substance Use Disorders (PDF | 636 KB) — Guidance to states for both the SUBG and MHBG regarding a MOE waiver for any state that experiences extraordinary economic circumstances in a state fiscal year.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Block Grant Maintenance of Effort Requirements for the Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) (PDF | 295 KB) — FAQs on waivers, material compliance, and deadlines/notifications in regards to when a state has not met the MOE.
Mental Health Block Grant 5 percent Crisis Set-Aside Guidance (PDF | 192 KB) Guidance for the required 5 percent set aside of the Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) allocation for each state to support evidence-based crisis systems as directed by Congress through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplement Appropriations Act, 2021 [P.L. 116-260].
Mental Health Block Grant Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplement Guidance (PDF | 276 KB) In accordance with the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplement Appropriations Act, 2021 [P.L. 116-260], the document provide guidance to the states on the use of the additional $825 million distributed through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program to assist in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
American Rescue Plan Act Guidance (PDF | 309 KB) —This document provides guidance to the states for the funds distributed through mental health and substance abuse block grants in accordance with Public Law 117-2, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to address the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic for Americans with mental illness and substance use disorders.
MHBG 10 Percent Set-Aside Guidance (PDF | 92 KB) — Mental Health Block Grant 10 percent Set-Aside Guidance: Guidance for the required 10 percent set aside of the Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) allocation to support evidence-based programs that address the needs of individuals with a first episode psychosis as directed by Congress through its FY 2016 Omnibus bill, Public Law 114-113.
Best Practices for State Behavioral Health Planning Councils: The Road to Planning Council Integration (PDF | 856 KB) — The document provides guidance and best practices to mental health planning councils transitioning to a behavioral health planning council. The guide reviews the factors involved in transitioning to a behavioral health planning council, best practices and technical assistance resources.

Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUBG) Resources

Improving Outcomes for Patients with Communicable Diseases (1 hour, 16 minutes) - Led by Dr. Neeraj Gandotra, Chief Medical Officer, and Kristin Roha, Public Health Advisor. The presentation included a discussion of key communicable diseases (including prevalence, and recommendations for screening, testing, and treatment; and the sharing of key resources).
SSA Dialogue on the Drawdown of SUPTRS BG Supplemental Funds (57 minutes) - The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) hosted an interactive meeting and listening session for Single State Agencies (SSAs) on the spending of the SUPTRS BG supplemental funds.
Single State Agency Dialogue on the Drawdown of Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant Supplemental Funds Presentation (PDF | 1 MB)
Prescribing in a Post-Waiver World: Expanding Access to MOUD and Implications of 42 CFR Part 8 Revisions (1 hour, 17 seconds) - This webinar provides attendees with strategies for expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) following the elimination of the DATA Waiver (X-waiver), as well as providing a history of the Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act and discussing revisions to 42 CFR Part 8. The webinar includes an overview of the SUPPORT Act, enacted in 2018, covering a broad array of actions aimed at addressing the opioid crisis through prevention, treatment, and recovery. The webinar also addresses the revised 42 CFR Part 8 regulations and the historic steps to increase access to lifesaving, evidence-based care through patient-centered and compassionate interventions. Additionally, a panel discussion addresses the integral role physician associates (PAs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) play in expanding access to treatment including strategies for single state agencies on how to increase their PA and APRN provider network.
An Overview: CSAT Quality Assurance Review (QAR) Site Visit Process (58 minutes, 35 seconds) - This webinar introduces grantees to the CSAT SUPTRS BG Quality Assurance Review (QAR) process, including the purpose of the QAR, the steps, and what to expect.
Preventing and Addressing Xylazine Use in a Behavioral Health Setting (58 minutes, 11 seconds) — The webinar covers an overview of xylazine, emerging national trends, and how substance use prevention and treatment teams can combat xylazine use in their communities. Additional discussion points include testing protocols and procedures, evaluation methods, and best practices for increasing treatment access.
Addressing Workforce Issues on Retention and Recruitment Webinar (1 hour, 31 minutes)— This webinar provides attendees a synopsis of the SAMHSA sponsored Learning Collaborative series that took place with select states between March – June 2023. Attendees will learn strategies for: assessing state recruitment and retention efforts; recruiting a diverse staff and workforce; supporting Peer Specialists/Recovery Coaches; building partnerships with academic institutions; among other relevant strategies.
Improving Data Collection and Reporting Learning Collaborative Webinar (1 hour, 29 minutes) — The purpose of the webinar is to provide attendees with a synopsis of the SAMHSA sponsored Learning Collaborative (LC) series that took place with select states between March – June 2023. Attendees will learn strategies for: examining state data systems; setting expectations for SUD providers; working with data partners; improving data from the bottom up; capturing the client’s recovery journey and telling a story with data. Further, subject matter experts, LC participants, and SAMHSA leadership will present offering additional insight. All states, no matter their participation in the LC series, were invited to attend.
CSAT Introduction to State Program Improvement Technical Assistance (38 minutes) — The State Program Improvement–Technical Assistance (State TA) Project provides states and territories with TA to aid in the implementation of the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) and Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUPTRS BG) programs. The webinar will review the TA strategy and the types of TA State Mental Health Authorities (SMHAs) can expect to receive through this project.
Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUBG) Contacts
Use of Block Grant Funds for Prescription Overdose (PDF | 604 KB) — This document provides guidance and resources related to use SUBG funds for prescription overdose prevention, education and treatment.
CEO's Funding Agreements/Certifications (Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment) [Form 3] (PDF | 62 KB) — The applicant's chief executive officer (CEO) must complete this certification, indicating that the applicant complies with all statutory requirements of the grant.
SABG Nondiscrimination Letter (PDF | 257 KB) — This letter provides guidance to block grant recipients regarding non-discrimination and the provision of services to all clients.
SABG Fact Sheet (PDF | 80 KB) — An overview of the SABG's purpose, including a description of the mandatory allocations for the program
SABG Maintenance of Effort Letter to the SSA's and MH Commissioners (COVID-19) (PDF | 570 KB)
SABG Early Intervention Services for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (PDF | 28 KB) — A fact sheet about the SUBG requirement to provide early intervention for HIV at sites where individuals receive substance use disorder treatment services
SABG Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Services (ADMS) and Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grants Women's Services (PDF | 25 KB) — A review of the requirements for the SUBG set-aside for women and women with dependents. This includes a purpose statement and resources.
SABG Crosswalk for Title XIX, Part B, Subparts II and III and 45 CFR 96.120-137 (PDF | 45 KB) — Crosswalk of the SUBG requirements against statute and regulation
Joint bulletin on Medication-Assisted Treatment – 2014 (PDF | 155 KB)

Data Resources

Behavioral Health Barometer, 2013 — Presents a set of substance use and mental health indicators from population- and treatment facility-based data sets. Provides point-in-time and trend data reflecting the status and progress in improving key behavioral health indicators.
Data, Outcomes, and Quality (DOQ) — Is a mental health and substance use data, outcomes, and quality resource. Includes data compilations of Behavioral Health Prevalence Data (NSDUH), National Outcomes Measures (NOMs), Treatment Data (TEDS), and other data sources.

Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Block Grants Resources

Guidance for Block Grant Funds for Cost-Sharing Assistance for Private Health Insurance (PDF | 203 KB)
Guidance on SABG and MHBG Requirements (PDF | 1.6 MB) — Resource for funding of for-profits organizations, vendor compliance and audit requirements for sub-recipients and vendors
Letter to SSA Directors (PDF | 273 KB) — Guidance to states regarding the use of SABG funds for a specific target population, specifically tribal members.
Grantee Experience: Voucher Management Systems as a Program and Financial Management Tool (PDF | 1.1 MB) — This Technical Assistance (TA) package to help grantees understand and use Voucher Management Systems
Access to Recovery Service Menus and Recovery Support Services (PDF | 611 KB) — This TA package provides information, resources, tips, and tools to help grantee key staff understand the role of service menus and recovery support services in the continuing transformation of the SUD system of care.
Independent Evaluation of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program

Syringe Services Program Guidance for States and Jurisdictions

Guidance for Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) — 2016 (PDF | 88 KB) — Guidance describing use of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Funds to support syringe services programs (SSPs)
FY 2016-2016 Uniform Application Section III. Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan Subsection D. Environmental Factors and Plan - Amendment (PDF | 184 KB)
Amendment to FY 2016-2017 Uniform Application Memorandum (PDF | 539 KB)

Summary Data reports from FY 2013-2018 MHBG and SABG Block Grants

Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Block Grants Resources

FY 2014 – FY 2015 Reporting Section (PDF | 1.3 MB) — This OMB-approved guidance provides information on MHBG and SABG reporting for grantees, including sample tables. This is for informational purposes only.
OMB Notice of Approval — OMB Approval of the FY 2014-2015 Uniform Block Grant Application/Plan and Report. This is for informational purposes only.
Funding of For-Profit Organizations (PDF | 1.6 MB) — This document provides guidance to block grant recipients on funding for for-profit organizations.

SAMHSA Publications

Supporting and Financing Peer Services: States can support and finance the evidence-based practice of peer services within a recovery continuum of care in multiple ways. This issue brief highlights the incorporation of peer services and the variety of funding mechanisms and structures that can support and finance services.
Preventing Opioid Misuse and Treating Opioid Use Disorders in Older Adults explores how opioid misuse and use disorders among older adults are a growing public health problem that is often overlooked and undertreated. This increasing misuse and need for treatment can be attributed to several cultural, physiological, and systemic influences. This brochure discusses age-appropriate OUD prevention, treatment, and recovery approaches and provides key facts, considerations, program examples, and resources.

Last Updated: 12/24/2025