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​​​​​​​A Comprehensive Communication from SAMHSA

Publication Date: Dec 11, 2020
 

A Comprehensive Communication from SAMHSA. Please feel free to share with your colleagues and constituents as you see fit.

 

Funding

  1. Dept. of Health and Human Services - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 Statewide Family Network grant program (Short Title: SFN). The purpose of this program is to more effectively respond to the needs of children, youth, and young adults with serious emotional disturbances (SED) and their families by providing information, referrals, and support; and to create a mechanism for families to participate in state and local mental health services planning and policy development. Application Due Date:  January 4, 2021
 
  1. Dept. of Health and Human Services - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 Statewide Consumer Network grant program (Short Title: SCN). The purpose of this program is to improve efforts to address the needs of adults with serious mental illness (SMI) by developing and/or expanding peer support services, peer leadership, and peer engagement strategies statewide. Application Due Date:  January 4, 2021
 
  1. Dept. of Health and Human Services – HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals. The BHWET Program for Professionals aims to increase the supply of behavioral health professionals while also improving distribution of a quality behavioral health workforce and thereby increasing access to behavioral health services. A special focus is placed on the knowledge and understanding of children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth at risk for behavioral health disorders. Closing Date: January 21, 2021.
 
  1. Dept. of Health and Human Services – HRSA National Telehealth Resource Center Program - This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the National Telehealth Resource Center (NTRC) Program. The purpose of NTRCs is to support the delivery of telehealth technical assistance through Regional Telehealth Resource Centers (RTRCs). Two NTRCs may be funded. Closing Date: January 21, 2021.
 
  1. Dept. of Health and Human Services – HRSA Regional Telehealth Resource Center Program.  This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Regional Telehealth Resource Center (RTRC) Program. RTRCs assist health care organizations, health care networks, and health care providers in the implementation of cost-effective telehealth programs to serve rural areas and populations. RTRCs also assist patients and families living in rural areas with telehealth technology to obtain health services. This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) will support 12 RTRCs that focus on statewide and regional telehealth activities. Closing Date: January 21, 2021.
 
  1. Dept. of Health and Human Services – HRSA Rapid Response Rural Data Analysis and Issue Specific Rural Research Studies. This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Rapid Response Rural Data Analysis and Issue Specific Rural Research Studies Program. The purpose of this program is to assist rural communities with conducting rapid data analyses and short term issue-specific rural research studies to understand the impact of current and proposed policies and regulations as well as provide information that will improve health care in rural America. Closing Date: January 29, 2021.
 
  1. SAMHSA’S GAINS Center Announces Criminal Justice Communities of Practice Application deadline: December 16, 2020      

SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation, operated by Policy Research Associates, Inc., and known nationally for its work regarding people with behavioral health needs involved in the criminal justice system, is convening four topical Communities of Practice (CoPs) to work intensively with select communities on the following topics: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in Reentry, Engaging Clients for Successful Reentry, Effectively Identifying & Treating Justice-Involved Individuals with Polysubstance Use Disorder, Building a Competent Crisis Care System at Intercepts 0-1. https://www.prainc.com/gains-cops-2021/?utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=CoP2021

 
  1. CMS is announcing the Request for Application (RFA) open period (November 19, 2020 to January 3, 2021) for the Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (ViT) Initiative. For more information, and to access the Request for Application (RFA), please visit: https://innovation.cms.gov/innovation-models/value-in-treatment-demonstration

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) is announcing the Request for Application (RFA) for a new initiative that aims to increase access to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment services to eligible Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) beneficiaries, including those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. This is one of a number of new initiatives required under The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (the SUPPORT Act). The statute makes available $10,000,000 each of fiscal years 2021-2024 for demonstration payments.

 
  1. New Funds Available for Veteran Homelessness

The Department of Veterans' Affairs has released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program to begin in October 2021. Applications are due on February 5, 2021 by 4pm ET. Eligible Applicants: Applicants must submit an LOI on their organization letterhead stating the intent to apply for renewal funding and agreement for VA to evaluate their previously awarded FY 2020 application and renewal grant for scoring purposes. Only eligible entities, that are existing grantees previously awarded grants stemming from the SSVF NOFA published on December 5, 2019, can apply in response to this NOFA

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/11/19/2020-25402/funding-availability-under-supportive-services-for-veteran-families-program

 

Resources

  1. SAMHSA’s Communities Talk to Prevent Underage Drinking Returns for 2021!
SAMHSA’s eighth round of its Communities Talk to Prevent Underage Drinking initiative is set to launch in January 2021.  Among Americans under age 21, alcohol is the most frequently used substance, used more often than tobacco, marijuana, or other illicit drugs. And while underage alcohol use rates have steadily declined since 2002, 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data show past month underage drinking rates remained unchanged from 2018 to 2019. Organizations planning a Communities Talk event or activity can receive a planning stipend of $750 to help offset the costs of planning and holding an event. SAMHSA also has published how-to guides, videos, success stories from past Communities Talk activity hosts, customizable resources, and more at https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/communitiestalk/ to help with your planning.
 
  1. Tips for Teens: The Truth About E-Cigarettes Link: https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Tips-for-Teens-The-Truth-About-E-Cigarettes/PEP19-12
This fact sheet for teens provides facts about vaping. It describes short- and long-term effects and lists signs of vaping. The fact sheet helps to dispel common myths about vaping. Access sources and references cited in this fact sheet.
This fact sheet for teens provides facts about stimulants. It describes short- and long-term effects, lists signs of use, and helps dispel common myths. It also can be used by prevention professionals, educators, health care providers, and others who come in contact with teens on a regular basis.
 
  1. SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center Supplemental Research Bulletin Women and Disasters
While research suggests that women may have greater awareness of hazards in their area, it also puts forward that women are less likely than men to be prepared for disasters. Additionally, studies have found women to be more likely to experience distress after a disaster, including an increased likelihood of developing posttraumatic stress disorder. This edition of the Supplemental Research Bulletin reviews research on how women experience disasters. In addition to women in general, research provides insight on the experience of pregnant women and older women. With more than half of the U.S. population being female, understanding how women experience disasters can help better prepare for a disaster. The edition reviews approaches that disaster behavioral health programs can take to ensure they meet the needs of women during a traumatic time. It reviews post-disaster distress, depression, substance use disorders, and more. It also examines violence against women and the possibility of it increasing after disasters
 
  1. JAMA Network: Trends in Suicidality 1 Year Before and After Birth Among Commercially Insured Childbearing Individuals in the United States, 2006-2017
A new study shows that suicidal ideation among individuals during pregnancy and in the first year after giving birth has increased in recent years

a. In a study of nearly 600,000 individuals, scientists found that suicidal ideation — although still rare — increased from a rate of 0.1% per 100 individuals in 2006 to 0.5% per 100 individuals in 2017

b. Intentional self-harm also increased slightly, as did diagnoses of suicidality along with other mental health conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder

c. Increases in suicidal ideation during pregnancy and postpartum were higher among Black individuals, those with lower incomes, and younger mothers

d. The authors suggest policymakers and clinicians ought to ensure universal screening for suicidal thoughts among pregnant and postpartum individuals

 

Workshop Series

  1. Reminder, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has launched a new workshop series for Rural Faith Leaders: Empowering Faith Leaders to Help Persons with Substance Use Disorder.  This is a series of four workshops for rural Faith Leaders to share valuable information and resources. The first workshop Substance Use Disorder and the Pandemic in Rural Communities will take place on December 8, 2020 – 1:00 -2:30 pm EST.  If you would like to attend, RSVP to Betty-Ann Bryce at this email MBX.ONDCP.RuralAffairs@ondcp.eop.gov. Please include your name, title, organization and contact information.