The Behavioral Health Partnership for Early Diversion grant, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), aims to support programs that divert adults and youth with mental illness or co-occurring disorders (COD) away from the criminal or juvenile justice system. This initiative prioritizes community-based mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services and other necessary supports before individuals are arrested and booked. The grant seeks to create or enhance diversion programs that provide early intervention services to reduce the incarceration of individuals with behavioral health conditions.

This grant opportunity is categorized as discretionary and falls under the funding activity category of Health. It is part of SAMHSA’s broader efforts to improve mental health and substance use outcomes at the national and regional levels. The funding is expected to be awarded to six recipients, with an estimated total program funding of $2,000,000. However, there is no specified award ceiling, meaning the maximum grant amount per awardee has not been defined. The award floor is set at $0, indicating flexibility in the funding allocation. Additionally, cost-sharing or matching funds are required, though the exact matching amount has not been provided.

Eligible applicants include states and territories, political subdivisions of states, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, health facilities or programs operated in coordination with the Indian Health Service, and public or nonprofit entities. These organizations must have the capacity to implement diversion programs that integrate behavioral health services and work collaboratively with law enforcement and community stakeholders.

As of now, this grant opportunity is in the forecasted stage, meaning the full details have yet to be officially posted. The forecasted date for the announcement is August 7, 2024, with an estimated post date of April 15, 2025. The estimated application due date and award date have not yet been provided, nor has the estimated project start date. Further information on deadlines, pre-application requirements, and evaluation criteria will be available once the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is released.

For further inquiries, potential applicants can contact Roxanne Castenada at (240) 276-1917 or via email at roxanne.castenada@samhsa.hhs.gov. Additional information will be available on the official grants.gov website upon the full release of the grant opportunity.