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State Planning/
Mental Health Block Grant
About the Program
The CMHS Mental Health Block Grant program supports comprehensive, community-based systems of care for adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances. The program was established in 1981 and formerly known as the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Services (ADMS) Block Grant. It was a model of the New Federalism approach that sent program authority back to the individual States. Since the program's establishment, it has become the cornerstone of Federal efforts to work in partnership with the States to plan and deliver state-of-the-art systems of community-based mental services for adults and children. The Mental Health Block Grant program is the single largest Federal contribution dedicated toward improving mental health service systems across the country.
Grants are awarded to States and Territories based on a variety of program requirements. All States are eligible for the grant program. With input from State Planning Councils, States are required to develop annual plans that must include goals, objectives, and performance indicators for improving community-based services. State Mental Health Plans must address the need for services among special populations and must describe the financial and human resources required for implementation. The program stipulates that case management be provided to individuals with the most serious mental disorders and encourages appropriate partnerships among a range of primary health, dental, mental health, vocational, housing, and educational service providers.
This formula grant program support the delivery of a broad range of community mental health services as determined by the States. Each selected State will receive a formula grant allotment from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, however, provider payment methods will vary greatly by State. Funding is put toward improving the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of mental health service delivery, evaluating the quality and efficiency of State and local service programs, responding to changes in the financing and delivery of mental health services, and increasing involvement of consumers and family members in all aspects of services.
For free information about the CMHS Mental Health Block Grant Program - including publications, references, and referrals to local and national resources and organizations - call 1.800.789.2647; (TDD) 1.866.889.2647.
Rev. 07/2008
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