Funding for Youth

Supports collaboration between justice agencies, behavioral health providers, and community organizations to improve crisis stabilization care for individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders (SUDs), and co-occurring disorders who are currently involved with the justice system or are reentering the community. Seeks to reduce the number of individuals experiencing crisis during the pretrial period, confinement, and upon release while ensuring continuity of care and supporting recovery during the transition to the community by providing clinical behavioral healthcare and other reentry services.

Provides funding to national organizations operating in 45 or more states to expand existing mentoring services and activities for youth ages 17 or younger at risk for juvenile delinquency, victimization, drug use, truancy, justice system involvement, and other problematic or high-risk behaviors. Supports various evidence-based mentoring approaches, such as one-on-one, group, or peer mentoring, to meet the needs of the target youth population. Works to provide young people with opportunities for personal growth and development, while strengthening community safety.

Provides funding to support prevention, intervention, diversion, treatment, and recovery programs and services to benefit children, youth, and families impacted by opioids and other substance use disorders. Assists communities in developing a coordinated response to address opioids and substance misuse, overdose, and public safety through collaboration with law enforcement, courts, organizations that address substance use, child welfare agencies and other community stakeholders.

Strengthens the ability of corrections systems and community-based service providers to support individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), including parents of minor children and pregnant/postpartum women, during the pre-release phase of incarceration and continued through reentry into the community. Works to establish, expand, or improve SUD treatment and recovery programs to increase access to evidence-based, culturally relevant services, reduce recidivism, promote long-term recovery, and decrease overdose among the target population.

Supports new and existing training programs for paraprofessionals in behavioral health fields in order to improve services for families whose parents are impacted by opioid use disorder (OUD) or other substance use disorders (SUD). Seeks to increase the number of paraprofessionals in behavioral health working in high-need and high-demand areas to reduce the risk of mental health disorders and SUD among children.

Grants funds to assist jurisdictions with starting a juvenile drug treatment court (JDTC) or enhancing and expanding the operations of an existing JDTC. Seeks to reduce recidivism and substance misuse through court supervision and increased access to treatment, recovery, and other trauma-informed services for youth with substance use disorder (SUD) or co-occurring mental health disorders (CODs), including youth with a history of trauma.

Expands existing mentoring services and activities for at-risk youth and youth currently misusing or dependent on opioids, stimulants, or other substances. Supports the development of innovative, high quality services, utilizing various mentoring approaches, such as one-on-one, group, or peer mentoring, designed to reduce substance use, delinquency, and other problem behaviors. Offers educational and support services to youth and their family members to address opioid or substance misuse issues.

Supports efforts to reduce violent crime by developing and implementing comprehensive community-based violence intervention and prevention programs focused on youth and adults at highest risk for violence. Encourages community partnerships between residents, local government, victim service providers, law enforcement, hospitals, and other stakeholders to engage in strategies and activities to address risk factors related to violence, including substance use disorder (SUD), housing instability, and history victimization or perpetration.

Provides funding to implement suicide prevention and early intervention strategies for youth up to age 24 in schools, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance use and mental health programs, and other child/youth-serving organizations.

Creates community learning centers to run after-school programs for students in high-poverty or low-performing schools. Provides academic programs to help students meet standards in core academic subjects, like math and reading, along with a variety of enrichment programs, such as drug and violence prevention programs. Funding is awarded to states, who distribute grants locally through state grant competitions.

Awards grants to reestablish or maintain strong multi-sector community coalitions that work to prevent and reduce substance use among youth age 18 or younger. Addresses local environmental factors related to youth substance use by implementing a wide-range of evidence-based and practice-based prevention strategies.

Supports local efforts to prevent and reduce substance use among youth age 18 or younger by establishing and maintaining new multi-sector community coalitions. Utilizes a wide-range of evidence-based prevention strategies to address local environmental factors related to substance use among youth and promote positive, sustainable, community-level change.

Provides funding to states, local and tribal governments, and community-based organizations to provide comprehensive reentry and transitional services for moderate to high-risk youth before, during, and after release from a juvenile residential facility. Supports pre- and post-release program services that provide screening and assessment of youth needs, such as mental health, substance misuse, and more. Aims to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for youth through the successful reintegration of participants into their communities.

Supports the implementation of the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) public health model in primary care, community health settings, and schools, with the goal of increasing screening for underage drinking, opioid use, and other substance use among children, adolescents, and adults. Assists with integrating SBIRT into routine healthcare and other encounters and enhancing system-level approaches to reduce alcohol and substance use and its negative health impacts among individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and those at risk for SUD.

Awards funding to tribes and tribal organizations to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions and practices to strengthen tribal communities.

Helps land-grant colleges and universities create community-based outreach and extension services to improve health and wellness in rural areas by offering reliable information on health, wellness, and safety to individuals and families.

Aims to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance misuse, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among American Indian and Alaska Native youth through age 24. Supports tribal communities in building and sustaining infrastructure for behavioral health systems that will positively impact AI/AN youth by successfully integrating culture, resources, and readiness to address suicide and substance misuse among the target population.

Funds for training and technical assistance to help tribal communities plan, create, and operate programs to address criminal cases of child abuse and neglect, especially cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Funds trauma-informed activities and services, including outreach and awareness efforts, victim assistance, and emergency services for children and family members. Part of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS).

Funds tribal efforts to reduce and prevent juvenile delinquency through prevention, intervention, and treatment services to children under the age of 21. Aims to promote public safety and positive outcomes by helping the juvenile justice system respond more fairly to American Indian and Alaska Native youth. Part of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS).

Funds to develop new or expand existing youth healing to wellness courts to enhance the capacity of tribal courts to respond to the alcohol and substance use related issues of youth. Helps tribal youth involved with the justice system to access substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, maintain recovery, and reduce the risk of re-offending. Funds may support planning activities, court operations, workforce development, training, data collection, and the implementation of new programs and services. Part of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS).

Awards fellowships to master's and doctoral students in marriage and family therapy (MFT) programs. Offers financial support, training, and professional development opportunities designed to build cultural competency in mental health treatment for ethnic and racial minorities. Seeks to increase the number of marriage and family therapists providing mental health and substance use services to underserved populations. Fellowships are administered by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Research and Education Foundation through the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Aims to reduce the development and progression of substance use disorder (SUD) by improving local capacity to deliver community-based SUD prevention and mental health services. Promotes building strategic partnerships among key stakeholders to expand prevention infrastructure and implement strategies to identify and address the primary prevention concerns in the community, including the use of opioids, methamphetamine, and heroin. Provides evidence-based services to prevent SUD and support the mental health and well-being of youth and adults, especially those from underserved communities.

Offers funding to land-grant colleges and universities to enhance the quality and quantity of comprehensive community-based programs for children, youth, and families. Seeks to provide programming and skills to meet their basic needs so they can lead positive, productive, and contributing lives. Aims to assemble resources from land-grant institutions and the Cooperative Extension Systems to provide at-risk individuals with educational programming.

Provides resources focused on improving mental health outcomes in children and youth, from birth to age 21, at risk for or with serious emotional disturbances (SED) and their families. Supports the implementation, expansion, and integration of a System of Care (SOC) approach to create sustainable infrastructure and services that are required as part of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families Program, also known as the Children's Mental Health Initiative (CMHI). CMHI seeks to prepare children and youth at risk for or with SED for successful transition to adulthood and assumption of adult roles and responsibilities.

Grants funds to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Implements research, education, and extension initiatives that prepare K-12 students, which includes students in 2-year post-secondary programs, to enter STEM fields in higher education institutions. Aims to develop a qualified workforce in the areas of food and agriculture to improve economic opportunity in rural communities.

Provides funds to organizations to engage and manage individuals aged 55 and older to serve as experienced tutors and mentors to children and youth with special or exceptional needs, or children who would benefit from the one-on-one attention. Volunteers serve in various settings, including schools, Head Start programs, hospitals, drug treatment centers, correctional institutions, and childcare centers.

Provides competitive funding to organizations that engage AmeriCorps members to build capacity, expand services, and help communities address their needs through service and volunteer activities. Supports evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions, practices, and program models.

Provides formula grant funding to local governments to enhance the functioning of the criminal justice system, with a focus on efforts to address violent crime and serious offenders. Funds may be used for additional personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems to support activities that will help prevent, control, or reduce crime; enforce the criminal law; and strengthen the courts, corrections, probation, and parole authorities. Supports drug treatment, enforcement, prevention, and education programs.

Offers flexible block grant funding to states, territories and freely associated states, and one tribe to design and implement activities and services to address the complex needs of individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use disorder (SUD). Funds can be used to establish statewide programs and services or to make sub-awards to local organizations to provide SUD services in their region. All activities and services must address core SUBG program purposes. Supports SUD treatment, programs, and services for the following populations and services areas: pregnant women, women with dependent children, IV drug users, tuberculosis services, HIV/AIDS early intervention services, and primary prevention services.

Offers flexible block grant funding to states, territories, and freely associated states to provide comprehensive, community-based mental health services to adults with serious mental illness (SMI) and children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances (SED). Supports collaboration by encouraging various individuals and groups to be involved in the mental health planning process, including adults participating in mental health services, family members of children with SED, and representatives from education, mental health, rehabilitation, criminal justice, and other state agencies.

Provides formula grant funding to states to support efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence, and to improve the fair administration of the justice system. Funds may be used for additional personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems to support activities that will help prevent, control, or reduce crime; enforce the criminal law; and strengthen the courts, corrections, probation, and parole authorities. Supports drug treatment, enforcement, prevention, and education programs.

Provides funding for loan repayment for pediatric medical subspecialty care, pediatric surgical specialty care, and child and adolescent behavioral healthcare providers in exchange for 3-year service obligations at approved sites in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs), and Medically Underserved Population (MUPs). Aims to increase pediatric workforce in underserved areas and expand access to care, including child and adolescent mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment services.

Assists with the recruitment and retention of pediatric medical subspecialty care, pediatric surgical specialty care, and behavioral healthcare professionals serving Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUAs/Ps). New and current clinical staff working in eligible disciplines at an approved facility are eligible to receive loan repayment assistance through the Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program. Helps communities meet pediatric workforce needs and increases access to child and adolescent behavioral healthcare, including mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment services.

Provides funding to develop internships, field placements, and other experiential training opportunities for individuals training in behavioral health professions focused on serving children and youth ages 16-25 in rural and underserved communities. Aims to expand access to behavioral healthcare for rural and underserved children and youth with mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) by increasing the supply and distribution of behavioral health providers. Assists in recruiting and training behavioral health professionals by increasing the number of clinical supervisors, providing stipend support for trainees, and connecting graduates to employment opportunities.

Expands and enhances existing mentoring services and activities for youth ages 17 or younger at risk for juvenile delinquency, victimization, and justice system involvement. Seeks to support organizations that operate a mentoring program in multiple states and promote the use of various evidence-based mentoring approaches, such as one-on-one, group, or peer mentoring, to meet the needs of the target youth population. Utilizes mentoring to reduce risk factors and problem behaviors, such as poor school attendance/performance, substance use, or gang participation, and works to provide young people opportunities for personal growth and development.

Provides funding to prevent substance misuse and address mental health issues by establishing and expanding behavioral healthcare services in rural communities for children and adolescents aged 5-17 who are at risk for, have, or are recovering from a behavioral health disorder.

Provides comprehensive, coordinated, evidence-based services for individuals, youth, and families currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI), serious emotional disturbance (SED), and/or a co-occurring disorder (COD). Aims to engage and connect the target population to behavioral health treatment, case management, and recovery support services and help them secure sustainable permanent housing. Assists participants in identifying and obtaining resources for health insurance that help individuals maintain their treatment, recovery, and housing status.

Funds treatment, recovery, case management, and harm reduction services and programs in residential treatment facilities for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder (SUD) to support and sustain recovery. Aims to reduce infant and maternal mortality; improve family dynamics through access to treatment; and increase access to evidence-based SUD residential services.

Funds demonstration projects in states to improve the quality of emergency medical services (EMS) for children. Seeks innovative models and methods to strengthen EMS systems. Seeks to improve health outcomes and attain equitable access to pediatric emergency care and everyday readiness for all children across the nation, especially for those children living in racial or ethnic minority, tribal, and rural communities.

Helps local governments and their community partners respond to trauma and stress related to civil unrest, community violence, and/or collective trauma within the past 24 months. Provides violence prevention and youth engagement programs along with trauma-informed behavioral health services to at-risk youth and families impacted by community disruption and violence. Develops coalitions of local government agencies, community organizations, and residents to deliver resources and services and bring about positive community change and healing.

Provides funding to support community-based partnerships and collaborations aimed at promoting access to healthcare for under-resourced and underserved children and their families in rural and underserved areas through the implementation and evaluation of new or improved evidence-informed, evidence-based strategies, or innovative community-based projects and models of care. Includes substance use services for children and adolescents at risk for substance use disorders (SUD).

Supports American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth in successfully transitioning back into the community after completing treatment at an Indian Health Services (IHS) Youth Regional Treatment Center (YRTC). Provides culturally adapted aftercare and case management services focused on whole-person wellness and community engagement to help youth achieve and sustain safety and sobriety, with an emphasis on employability as a means of achieving program goals. YRTC is an initiative of the IHS Alcohol and Substance Abuse Branch (ASAB).

Supports community-driven efforts to deliver evidence-based, culturally appropriate substance use prevention, treatment, and aftercare services for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Works to expand access to behavioral health services; improve care coordination and cross-system collaboration; and engage family, youth, and community resources to reduce substance use disorder (SUD) and overall substance misuse in tribal communities. SASP is an initiative of the IHS Alcohol and Substance Abuse Branch (ASAB).

Offers funding for education and job training services for young adults ages 18 to 24 who are involved in the criminal justice system or those who left high school before graduation. Establishes partnerships between community colleges, the criminal justice system, employers, and other stakeholders to improve workforce outcomes for the target population. Builds capacity in community colleges to provide occupational training and helps young adults reentering society from the criminal justice system gain skills and education to meet the needs of the local labor market and find stable employment in high-demand occupations.

Provides funding to increase the number of internships, field placements, and other experiential training opportunities for individuals working to become peer support specialists and other behavioral health paraprofessionals. Promotes collaboration with community-based health partners to meet workforce demand in high need and high demand areas and expand access to quality behavioral health services, including services for the treatment of substance use disorder (SUD). Promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through team-based care and emphasizes training oriented toward the behavioral health needs of children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth.

Provides funding to enhance established community-based coalitions working to address the use and misuse of opioids, methamphetamines, and prescription medications among youth ages 12-18. Strengthens cooperation between leaders, groups, organizations, and agencies across the community to implement strategies and services that help identify at-risk youth, reduce substance use, and create safer and healthier communities.

Serves adolescents, aged 12-18, and transitional youth, aged 16-25, with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (COD) by expanding access to evidence-based early intervention, treatment, and recovery support services. Involves family members/primary caregivers in the treatment and recovery process, and focuses on reducing health disparities among underserved female and racial/ethnic minority populations.

Offers funding to increase the number of internships, field placements, and other experiential training opportunities for individuals working to become behavioral health professionals. Works with community-based health partners to meet workforce demand in high need and high demand areas with the goal of expanding access to quality behavioral health services, including services for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). Supports interdisciplinary collaboration through team-based care and emphasizes training oriented toward the behavioral health needs of children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth.

Offers funds to community coalitions to continue grant activities under a previously awarded Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant. Coalitions utilize a wide-range of evidence-based prevention strategies to address local environmental factors related to substance use among youth age 18 or younger and seek to promote positive, sustainable, community-level change.

Provides funding, technical assistance, and training to support direct services for children and youth who are crime victims and have been impacted the current crisis of addiction and substance use, including the use of opioids, methamphetamines, other substance misuse, and polysubstance use. Supports services for children and youth ages 0-18 and includes direct service activities such as information about and referral to trauma-informed victim services, personal advocacy, medical services, on-scene emotional support at drug/crime related incidents, and follow-up care, including counseling, support groups, and other types of mental health treatment.

Offers funding to states, territories, local governments, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments to increase public safety by supporting cross-system collaboration to improve responses and outcomes for youth with mental illness (MI) or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse (CMISA) who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.

Supports communities and law enforcement in developing and implementing evidence-based suppression strategies outlined in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Comprehensive Gang Model that target youth who are currently at risk of being involved with gangs. Works to promote public safety by reducing gang violence and victimization experienced by youth and decreasing risk factors associated with juvenile delinquency, such as substance use.

Provides funding to strengthen experiential training for behavioral health paraprofessional students focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD). Emphasizes training that addresses the specific challenges of children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth at risk for behavioral health disorders. Seeks to expand access to quality SUD/OUD treatment and services in high need, high demand areas by increasing the number of qualified behavioral health paraprofessionals working in community-based settings.

Provides funds to increase the capacity of law enforcement agencies to reduce violence, gang-related crime, and delinquency and victimization by youth, specifically transitional-aged minors. Supports evidence-based prevention, intervention, enforcement, and trauma response strategies to foster public safety and help youth heal from violent experiences. Provides funding and technical assistance to communities to develop and implement effective strategies that address transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and decrease gang involvement for unaccompanied alien children (UAC).

Ensures adolescents aged 12-18 and youth aged 16-25 with substance use disorders (SUD) and/or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (COD) state-wide access to evidence-based assessments, treatment models, and recovery services. Brings together stakeholders across systems to enhance and expand services, develop policies, expand workforce, disseminate evidence-based practices, and implement financial mechanisms and other reforms to improve the coordination and efficiency of SUD treatment and recovery support systems for adolescent and youth populations in the state.