GM 14-002

Circles of Care Mental Health Planning Grants for Native Communities

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) is soliciting applications for FY 2014 awards under its Planning and Developing Infrastructure to Improve the Mental Health and Wellness of Children, Youth and Families in American Indian/Alaska Native Communities program. It is alternatively referred to as the Circles of Care program. Eligible applicants are federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations, tribal colleges and universities, and Urban Indian Organizations (as identified through the Indian Health Service urban health program). The deadline for receipt of applications is March 7, 2014. Previous grantees are not eligible applicants.

Under the Circles of Care program tribes and Indian organizations are to plan and design holistic mental health services for children and youth (through age 25) and their families. It is based on a delivery model called Systems of Care in which broad community partnerships and family involvement in the treatment are the foundation for helping seriously mentally ill youth. SAMHSA has titled the tribal-specific planning grants as Circles of Care, and has provided such grants since 1999.

Pending Congress’s action in finalizing FY 2014 appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA expects to have $2.381 million for up to eleven awards. The maximum annual amount is $400,000 and the project period may be up to three years. The summary of the grant announcement which contains links to the full application may be found here:

http://beta.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sm-14-003

Please let us know if we may provide additional information regarding the Circles of Care grants.