SAMHSA is announcing the availability of up to $23.4 million for the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Grant Program

Monday, May 7, 2018

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Grant Program totaling up to $23.4 million over the next 5 years.

The purpose of this program is to improve outcomes for young children by developing, maintaining, or enhancing infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment services, including: (1) programs for infants and children at significant risk of developing, showing early signs of, or having been diagnosed with a mental illness, including a serious emotional disturbance (SED) and/or symptoms that may be indicative of a developing SED in children with a history of in utero exposure to substances such as opioids, stimulants or other drugs that may impact development; and (2) multigenerational therapy and other services that strengthen positive caregiving relationships. Programs funded under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) must be evidence-informed or evidence-based, and culturally and linguistically appropriate.

SAMHSA expects to fund up to 9 grantees with up to $500,000 per year for up to five years. The actual award amount may vary, depending on the availability of funds. The FOA for this grant is available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sm-18-018.

WHO CAN APPLY: Eligibility for this program is statutorily limited to a human services agency or non-profit institution that:

Employs licensed mental health professionals who have specialized training and experience in infant and early childhood assessment, diagnosis, and treatment; OR is accredited or approved by the appropriate State agency, as applicable, to provide for children, from birth to 12 years of age, mental health promotion, intervention, and/or treatment services; and
Provides infant and early childhood services or programs that are evidence-based or that have been scientifically demonstrated to show further promise but would benefit from further applied development.

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants must register with the National Institutes of Health’s electronic Research Administration (eRA) Commons in order to submit an application. This process takes up to six weeks. If you believe you are interested in applying for this opportunity, you MUST start the registration process immediately. Do not wait to start this process. If your organization is not registered and you do not have an active eRA Commons PI account by the deadline, the application will not be accepted. Applicants also must register with the System for Award Management at SAM.gov and Grants.gov/.

APPLICATION DUE DATE: June 29, 2018 by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time). Applications must be received by the due date and time to be considered for review.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Applicants with questions about program issues should contact Jennifer Oppenheim at (240) 276-1862 or Jennifer.Oppenheim@samhsa.hhs.gov(link sends e-mail).

For questions on grants management issues contact Gwendolyn Simpson at (240) 276-1408 or FOACMHS@samhsa.hhs.gov(link sends e-mail).

For more information, contact the SAMHSA Press Office at 240-276-2130.