By Jessie Forand
WASHINGTON — A new funding opportunity could help address substance use and mental health crisis care for patients with Medicaid.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $15 million in funding that states can use to help address substance abuse and mental health concerns for Medicaid patients, according to a press release by the department.
The available funds were designated as part of the American Rescue Plan passed earlier this year, and is part of the bill’s commitment to providing community-based mobile crisis intervention.
The funding will allow Medicaid agencies to access community needs and develop programs for crisis intervention – offering services directly to those experiencing mental health- or substance abuse-related crises outside of a hospital setting.
“Investing in crisis intervention services ensures Americans experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis get the care and treatment they need. These grants will help states build these critical services to help communities send a responder who is trained and ready to assist people in crisis,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.
Planning grants provide funding to develop, prepare for and implement the mobile crisis intervention programs and can be used for states to assess their current program, improve them and ensure that services can be accessed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Interested states should submit a letter of intent by July 23, with final applications mailed by Aug. 13.
To view the Notice Of Funding Opportunity, visit Grants.gov and search for the announcement by CFDA# 93.639.