The Department of Mental Health (DMH) administers the federal Community Mental Health Services Block Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Block Grant is used to improve the quality of mental health services by funding activities that encourage and enhance evidence-based practices, quality improvement and consumer outcomes and promote the values of recovery, resiliency and cultural competence.
Department of Mental Health initiatives with Block Grant support include training, supported employment, homeless services, supportive housing, school based mental health programs, and other child/youth initiatives. Consumer, family member and community based organization projects include an exercise and nutrition program, creative expression through the arts and photography, older adult and transition age youth initiatives, peer health workers, and a youth trauma focused program. The annual Judge Aubrey E. Robinson, Jr. Memorial Mental Health Conference also is funded by the Block Grant.
The State Mental Health Planning Council which serves as an advisory body for the federal mental health planning process seeks applications for Block Grant awards through an annual Request for Projects.
FY 2010 Request for Projects* opened on April 23, 2009 and closed on May 22, 2009.
Each year, DMH posts the District’s annual application to SAMHSA to solicit public input:
The application serves as the state mental health plan. It describes the system of care for adults, children and families, and lists performance indicators. The application also includes a description of activities funded by the Block Grant.
Consumers and family members, community based providers, and DMH partners are encouraged to comment on the state mental health plan. Please send your questions and suggestions to Dr. Juanita Reaves, Planning and Performance Management Officer at
juanita.reaves@dc.gov or to Anne Sturtz, Deputy Director at
anne.sturtz@dc.gov.
