CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
December 18, 2003, Vol. 03-118

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2003    www.samhsa.gov

$4.3 Million Available to Support Statewide Consumer Network and Family Network Grants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting grant applications for fiscal year 2004 to provide funding for family and consumer networks that support effective substance abuse and mental health service delivery to address the needs of children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances, and their families.

SAMHSA anticipates that there will be $2.8million available in 2004 for 43 Statewide Family Network grants, with a limit of one award per state, of up to $60,000 per year. In addition, there will be $1.5 million available in 2004 for 20-22 statewide Consumer Network Grants of up to $70,000 per year, with a limit of one award per state.

The Statewide Families Network program will fund up to 43 grantees. Those with projects that include a youth leadership component may receive an additional $10,000 per year. The grants are designed to strengthen organizational relationships; foster leadership and business management skills among families of children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances; and identify and address technical assistance needs. These awards are expected to continue for 3 years.

The Consumer Network program will fund 20-22 grants that are designed to support state-level consumer-run organizations to assist consumer participation in the development of policies, programs and quality assurance activities involving mental health delivery. The grants are expected to continue for up to 3 years.

Actual funding levels will depend on the availability of funds, grantee progress in meeting program goals, and timely submission of required data and reports. Both programs are part of SAMHSA's Infrastructure Grants Program and will be administered by SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).

Who Can Apply: Eligibility is limited to domestic private, nonprofit entities, including faith-based entities and currently-funded Statewide Consumer Network Grantees and Statewide Family Network Grantees.

How to Apply: To request applications for SM-04-003, Statewide Consumer Network Grants or SM-04-004, Statewide Family Network Grants, contact SAMHSA's clearinghouse at 1-800-789-2647 or download from the grants page on SAMHSA's website at www.samhsa.gov.

Application Due Date: Applications for Statewide Consumer Network Grants are due February 25, 2004. Applications for Statewide Family Network grants are due by February 27, 2004.

Additional Information: Applicants with questions on Statewide Consumer Network grant program issues should contact Risa Fox (CMHS) at 301-443-3653 or rfox@samhsa.gov. Questions on Statewide Family Network grant program issues should contact Elizabeth Sweet (CMHS) at 301-443-1333 or esweet@samhsa.gov.

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment and mental health service delivery systems.

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.