Block grants

What is the federal block grant?

The federal block grant supports substance use and mental health services for children, families, and communities in Washington State.

• Block grants are Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants given to states to allow them to address their unique behavioral health issues.
• There are two types of block grants:
  • Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG)
  • Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG)
• Under each of the block grants (SABG and MHBG) we also receive technical assistance funding on an annual basis.
• Awards are received annually, beginning October 1 and are open for two years (ending September 30). Awards must be obligated within one year and fully spent within two years.

Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG)

Purpose

Provide mental health services to adults diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and children diagnosed with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED). Services paid for with MHBG must not be Medicaid covered.

Required set-asides

• First episode psychosis: 10% minimum
• Crisis services: 5% minimum
• Administrative costs (HCA only): 5% maximum

Requirements / allowable activities

MHBG may be used to provide comprehensive community mental health services to adults diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI) and children diagnosed with a severe emotional disturbance (SED).

Allowable activities include:

• Treatment services not covered by Medicaid for individuals diagnosed with SMI or SED
• Crisis services for individuals diagnosed with SMI or SED
• Crisis services for individuals diagnosed with SMI or SED
• Revolving funds for establishment of group homes
• Direct transportation costs to get SMI/SED diagnosed individuals to treatment services

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG)

Purpose

To plan, carry out, and evaluate activities for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of substance abuse for individuals not covered by Medicaid.

Required set-asides

• Primary prevention: 20% minimum
• Services for pregnant women and women with dependent children: 5% minimum
• Administrative costs (HCA only): 5% maximum

Targeted populations

• Pregnant women and women with dependent children
• Intravenous drug users

Requirements / allowable activities

SABG can be used for projects related to the development and implementation of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation activities directed to the diseases of alcohol and substance use, including:

• Treatment
  • Assessment
  • Outpatient counseling
  • Residential rehabilitation including:
    • Therapeutic communities
    • Hospital-based care (not inpatient hospital services)
    • Vocational counseling
    • Case management
• Outreach
• Detoxification
• Prevention
  • Education
  • Counseling
  • Other activities designed to reduce the risk of substance abuse
• Group homes for persons recovering from substance use disorders
• Program administration