On March 30, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA’s Roles and Actions 2011-2014.  Developed using stakeholder input, the report outlines SAMHSA’s goals, priorities, and action steps for reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness.  The report explains how SAMHSA will focus its resources going forward, particularly while implementing the national health care reform law and the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).  SAMHSA’s report outlines eight strategic initiatives: prevention of substance abuse and mental illness; trauma and justice; military families; recovery support; health reform; health information technology; data, outcomes, and quality; and public awareness and support.

From the report:

Recognizing the need to balance these opportunities and challenges, SAMHSA has identified eight Strategic Initiatives to focus its limited resources on areas of urgency and opportunity. The Initiatives will enable SAMHSA to respond to national, State, Territorial, Tribal, and local trends and support implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act. People are at the core of SAMHSA’s mission, and these Initiatives will guide SAMHSA’s work through 2014 to help people with mental and substance use disorders and their families build strong and supportive communities, prevent costly and painful behavioral health problems, and promote better health for all Americans.

Full report: Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA’s Roles and Actions 2011–2014 (PDF | 1.11MB)

SAMHSA.  (2011).  Leading change: a plan for SAMHSA's roles and actions 2011-2014.