The FY 2024 Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) funding opportunity, overseen by SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services, aims to support state and local governments, territories, and tribes in implementing and expanding comprehensive mental health services for children and youth up to age 21 who are at risk of or diagnosed with serious emotional disturbances (SED). The initiative provides grants to strengthen Systems of Care (SOC), focusing on sustainable infrastructure to support mental health outcomes and the well-being of children, youth, and their families. Applications for FY 2024 are due by February 14, 2024, with an estimated 23 awards. Grants provide up to $3,000,000 annually for state applicants and up to $1,000,000 for political sub-divisions, territories, and tribal organizations, with a four-year project period.

The core objectives of the CMHI program include establishing or enhancing SOC frameworks that integrate cross-agency collaboration, policy development, and evidence-based interventions for children and families. Funded projects must conduct a needs assessment within the first four months, focusing on gaps in services and identifying disparities based on race, ethnicity, and other social determinants. Required services include 24-hour mental health crisis support, intensive case management, therapeutic foster care, and transition services to support youth moving to adult systems. Recipients are also expected to provide culturally appropriate mental health services for underserved populations, including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ youth, and those in rural areas.

Eligible applicants must register in eRA Commons, Grants.gov, and SAM.gov. A cost match is required, with recipients matching $1 for every $3 of federal funds in the first three years, and $1 for each $1 in the fourth year. Applications should include a project narrative limited to 10 pages, detailed budget documentation, and a Disparity Impact Statement (DIS) to address behavioral health disparities. Key personnel must include a Project Director and a Lead Family Coordinator, each with a minimum 0.75 FTE.

Evaluation criteria include the program’s feasibility, organizational capacity, sustainability plan, and commitment to evidence-based practices. Proposals will be scored on their effectiveness in meeting SAMHSA’s program goals, including improvements in the SOC, reduction in behavioral health disparities, and long-term sustainability. Funded projects must report progress annually and submit performance data through SAMHSA’s SPARS system, tracking program impact on mental health outcomes and service reach within the target population.