SAMHSA Action Plan
Disaster Readiness and Response

Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007

PURPOSE	Integrate behavioral health into the public health emergency response, p romote population resilience and prevent adverse substance abuse and mental health consequences through pre-event, event and post-event services and other activities.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES	Long-Term Measures Provide timely and effective emergency response to public health threats through direct as well as coordinated (with FEMA) provision of substance abuse and mental health services to individuals impacted, as measured by increasing the percentage of SERG and CCP applications reviewed and acted upon within 21 days of receipt. (Baseline: 89%, 2005). Annual Measures Plan, design, and convene a National Behavioral Health All Hazards Summit by Q4 FY 06. Increase the nation’s preparedness for a potential disease pandemic by establishing a SAMHSA Pandemic Influenza Plan by Q3 FY 06. Continue to plan and implement at least one staff training and/or exercise annually regarding SAMHSA disaster response and the SAMHSA Emergency Response Center. (Baseline: 1, 2005).
POLICY AND PROGRAM PARAMETERS – including drivers:	The occurrence of Natural disasters (fires, floods, hurricanes) has remained high even as the threat of terrorism has increased. SAMHSA has a cooperative agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to administer CCP grants. The Children’s Health Act of 2000 authorizes the use of up to 2.5% of Programs of Regional and National Significance (PRNS) and Children’s program funds for SERG grants in individual disasters. Much of the funding in this area is external to SAMHSA, so available activities/resources must be leveraged to integrate behavioral health with other disaster preparedness and response activities.
KEY ACTIVITIES – FY 06-07:	Complete project with OSHA to develop materials to support deployed federal workers. Hold National Behavioral Health All Hazards Summit. Formalize SERC policies and procedures this year (with lessons learned from Katrina) and put on disaster web site. Finalize SAMHSA Concept Of Operations for Disaster Response Finalize SAMHSA Preparedness Plan for Pandemic Influenza. Rewrite SERG regulations this year to better accommodate national disasters. Provide coordination and oversight of FEMA Mission Assignments for the Gulf Coast until they are completed. Work out a memorandum of understanding with IHS about how to effectively deal with cluster suicides on reservations. Generate post Katrina/Rita report.


As Matrix Lead, I agree to the incorporation of the concepts, strategies, and goals outlined in this Action Plan into my performance contract.
Submitted by:	Daryl Kade, Matrix Lead		Date:	4/14/06
Approved by:	Charles G. Curie, Administrator		Date:	5/5/06

File Date: 12/19/2005