The Statewide Family Network (SFN) grant program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeks to enhance the capacity of statewide mental health family-controlled organizations to support, train, and mentor family members and primary caregivers of children, youth, and young adults with serious emotional disturbance (SED) and/or co-occurring disorders (COD). This initiative emphasizes advocacy, training, and empowerment to help caregivers navigate child-serving systems effectively, participate in policy-making, and improve outcomes for their children. SAMHSA aims to reduce behavioral health disparities by ensuring equitable access to services and promoting culturally competent practices.

The program's funding spans up to three years, with an estimated total funding of $1,142,585 allocated across nine awards. Each award offers up to $120,000 annually, contingent on continued progress and fund availability. Eligible applicants include domestic public and private nonprofit entities, such as state and local governments, tribal organizations, institutions of higher education, and health facilities. Applicants must represent family-controlled organizations, where more than 50% of board members are caregivers of children with SED/COD. States currently receiving SFN funding—Massachusetts, Rhode Island, North Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Missouri, and Nebraska—are ineligible to apply.

Grant activities must focus on capacity building and include providing family advocacy, support, and training; outreach and education for families; family empowerment initiatives; best practices training for child-serving systems; and fostering partnerships with community and state agencies. Allowable activities, though optional, include technical assistance for grassroots organizations and development of digital peer support systems. The program also supports leadership development and participation in state peer support implementation processes.

Applicants must prepare a detailed project narrative (10-page limit) addressing the needs of the population, implementation strategies, organizational experience, and data collection plans. Other requirements include a one-page abstract, budget narrative, timeline, and supporting attachments like letters of commitment and board composition certification. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by March 17, 2025, with SAM.gov and eRA Commons registration completed well in advance.

Performance data collection and reporting are essential components. Grantees must document progress quarterly using SAMHSA’s Performance Accountability and Reporting System (SPARS) and submit annual programmatic progress reports. These reports evaluate progress towards goals, barriers encountered, and impact on reducing disparities. A Differential Impact Statement (DIS) is required to assess how the program addresses disparities among underserved populations.

SAMHSA’s core principles of recovery, trauma-informed care, and equity guide the program’s implementation. Grantees must adhere to federal non-discrimination laws and SAMHSA’s financial and reporting standards. Awardees are required to participate in at least one grantee meeting and comply with funding restrictions, such as prohibitions on using funds for food. Notices of award are anticipated by September 29, 2025, with projects starting September 30, 2025.