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National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory

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The National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory (Policy Lab) leads the equitable coordination, analysis, development, and implementation of national policy to promote mental health, prevent substance misuse and addiction, provide treatment and support recovery.

The Policy Lab supports SAMHSA leadership in national policy efforts through partnership and coordination within SAMHSA, across federal agencies, and with existing, new, and emerging stakeholders and constituent groups. The Policy Lab is comprised of (1) Office of the Director (OD), (2) Policy Analysis, Development, and Implementation Team (PADI Team), (3) Evidence-Based Practices Implementation and Dissemination Team (EBP Team), (4) Executive Correspondence and Support Branch (ECSB), and (5) Legislative Affairs Branch (Leg Affairs).

  • The PADI Team integrates policy and subject matter expertise throughout SAMHSA priority areas, including workgroups, grants and budget review, and information sharing; and collaboration with SAMHSA’s Centers and Offices, federal partners and stakeholders, which ensures a feedback loop, positive adaptation and collaboration.
  • The EBP Team uses information from evaluations, literature reviews, expert panels, and other sources to inform identification and implementation of policy change; assists in the development of programs, technical assistance, evaluations, and dissemination of best practices/lessons learned; and tracks current EBPs and conducts literature reviews on high priority topic areas and programs.
  • ECSB serves as the agency liaison and action office for policy coordination including management of correspondence, Advisory Committees and Freedom of Information Act activities across SAMHSA.
  • The Legislative Affairs Team advises the Assistant Secretary on legislative matters; provides leadership in the development of legislation; and serves as the primary contact within SAMHSA on all legislative activities.

Contact Information

National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory (NMHSUPL)
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
240-276-1072

Staff

Brian Altman, J.D., Director

Executive Correspondence and Support Branch (Exec Sec)

Office of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs

Michelle Greenhalgh, Director

Evidence-Based Resource Center

Policy Analysis, Development and Implementation

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