The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 National Women’s Mental Health and Substance Use Technical Assistance Center (National Women’s MHSU TAC). This program, authorized under Section 2702 of the American Rescue Plan Act, aims to enhance the capacity of healthcare providers across core health specialties, including mental health, substance use, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, emergency services, crisis services, and primary care. The focus is on addressing the diverse needs of women with, or at risk for, mental health (MH) and substance use disorders (SUD), particularly those disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through training and technical assistance (TTA), the program will improve the implementation of evidence-based practices and strengthen providers’ abilities to deliver holistic, interdisciplinary care tailored to women’s unique health challenges.

The National Women’s MHSU TAC will work to improve care for women by offering technical assistance through individual consultations, targeted coaching, learning communities, and interactive online educational resources. Required topic areas include maternal health, transitions across women's lifespans, medically complex and co-occurring disorders, gender-based violence, state-level resources for women with MH and SUD, and behavioral health equity. These topics aim to address social determinants of health, promote access to quality services, and ensure equity in care delivery. Activities will incorporate evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery interventions while emphasizing cultural, linguistic, and economic responsiveness.

The funding opportunity offers an estimated total of $12.5 million over five years, with one cooperative agreement award expected. Annual budgets cannot exceed $2.5 million, and funds will be disbursed in full at the start of the award period, but spending is capped at $2.5 million annually. The project period is up to five years, beginning June 30, 2025. Eligible applicants include state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, tribal organizations, nonprofit community-based entities, and primary care and behavioral health organizations. Cost sharing or matching is not required for this program.

Applicants must propose activities that include developing an implementation strategy, annual work plans, convening a consultative monitoring board, conducting national needs assessments and environmental scans, creating a communications plan, implementing a national Case Consultation Service (CCS), and developing online learning modules and interactive learning communities. Additional responsibilities include maintaining a searchable website with vetted resources, collaborating with other SAMHSA and HRSA technical assistance centers, and performing annual internal evaluations to assess impact and effectiveness.

Key personnel requirements include a Project Director with a full-time commitment (or two co-directors sharing 1.0 FTE) and an Evaluator at 0.5 FTE. Both positions are critical for project oversight, data collection, and evaluation of program activities. The applicant must also demonstrate the capacity to address social determinants of health and ensure equitable service delivery that aligns with federal civil rights and conscience laws.

The application deadline is February 18, 2025. Applicants must submit proposals electronically and adhere to the requirements outlined in the FY 2025 NOFO Application Guide. Regular data reporting through SAMHSA’s Performance Accountability and Reporting System (SPARS) is required, including event descriptions, voluntary participant surveys, and follow-up assessments for extended events. For additional guidance, applicants are encouraged to consult SAMHSA resources and reach out to designated agency contacts for program, budget, and review process inquiries.