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​​​​​​Federal Grants Branch

The Federal Grants Branch (FGB) within the Community Services Division (CSD), administers federal behavioral health grants that are awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), including the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant, formerly known as Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG); the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant; the Behavioral Health Response and Rescue Project grants; State Opioid Response 1 and 2 grants; and the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness grant.​

Behavioral Health Response and Rescue Project

The Behavioral Health Response and Rescue Project (BHRRP) is supported by funding made available through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and American Rescue Plan Act. For information regarding funding opportunities, please visit the BHRRP Home page through the below link.

BHRRP Homepage

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

Mandated by Congress, SAMHSA administers the SUBG noncompetitive, formula grant through SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) Performance Partnership Branch, in collaboration with the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Division of State Programs. The SUBG is authorized by Section 1921 of Title XIX, Part B, Subpart II and III of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. The SUBG implementing regulations are found in Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 96 (45 CFR 96); and the SUBG Program is subject to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements are found in 45 CFR Part 75.

DHCS acts as a pass-through agency to provide SUBG funding to local non-federal governments to either provide SUD services directly or by contracting with local SUD providers. The SUBG Program's objective is to help plan, implement, and evaluate activities that prevent and treat SUDs. Grantees use the SUBG program for prevention, treatment, recovery support, and other services to supplement Medicaid. Please view SAMHSA's website or their SUBG Fact Sheet for more information.

SUBG Homepage​

Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG)

The SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) provides grant funds to establish or expand an organized community-based system of care for providing non-Title XIX mental health services to children with serious emotional disturbances (SED) and adults with serious mental illness (SMI). FGB is responsible for preparing and submitting the State's annual application to SAMHSA in anticipation of the upcoming fiscal year, in addition to submitting fiscal and performance data for the past fiscal year. These funds are used to:

  • Carry out the State plan contained in the application;
  • Evaluate programs and services, and;
  • Conduct planning, administration, and educational activities related to the provision of services.

The MHBG program targets:

  • Adults with serious mental illnesses. Includes persons age 18 and older who have a diagnosable behavioral, mental, or emotional condition—as defined by the Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders. Their condition substantially interferes with, or limits, one or more major life activities, such as:
    • Basic daily living (for example, eating or dressing)
    • Instrumental living (for example, taking prescribed medications or getting around the community)
    • Participating in a family, school, or workplace
  • Children with serious emotional disturbances. Includes persons up to age 18 who have a diagnosable behavioral, mental, or emotional issue (as defined by the DSM). This condition results in a functional impairment that substantially interferes with, or limits, a child's role or functioning in family, school, or community activities.

MHBG Homepage

State Opioid Response 3 (California DHCS Opioid Response)

The goal of California's State Opioid Response (SOR) 3 grant is to increase the prevention, treatment and recovery service activities initiated within the California DHCS Opioid Response (previously known as the California MAT Expansion Project). The California DHCS Opioid Response aims to increase access to treatment and reduce opioid overdose deaths through more than 30 programs focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery activities. The California DHCS Opioid Response has a special focus on populations with limited MAT access, including youth, rural areas and American Indian & Alaska Native tribal communities.

The California DHCS Opioid Response aims to increase access to MAT, reduce unmet treatment need, and reduce opioid overdose related deaths through the provision of prevention, treatment, and recovery activities.

CA DHCS Opioid Response Homepage​

Projects for Assistance in Transition for Homelessness (PATH)

The intent of the PATH formula grant is to support service delivery to individuals with a serious mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorder who are homeless or are at imminent risk of becoming homeless. The ultimate goal is to connect individuals to mainstream mental health and supportive services as a method of working towards the elimination of homelessness for this population. PATH funding is allocated to participating counties to provide street outreach, case management, and other services that are not supported by mainstream mental health programs.

PATH Homepage​

Performance Contract

DHCS administers the Mental Health Services Act, Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services​ Block Grant, Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, and Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness and oversees county provision of community mental health services provided with realignment funds. Counties must meet certain conditions and requirements to receive funding for these programs and community mental health services.  The Performance Contract is required by state laws and regulations (Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 5650(a), 5651, 5666, and 5897, and Title 9, California Code of Regulations, Section 3310). The Performance Contract sets forth conditions and requirements that counties must meet in order to receive this funding.  The Performance Contract does not cover federal financial participation related to Medi-Cal services provided through the Mental Health Plan Contract.​​

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Last modified date: 12/1/2023 8:20 AM