Faith and Community Engagement
For millions of Americans, faith communities are a home, a safe place, and a trusted source of support. SAMHSA is committed to providing faith leaders and members with the resources, training, and connections they need to be there for the people who need them most.
SAMHSA’s faith and community engagement work directly advances the goals of the Great American Recovery Initiative by strengthening the community networks and trusted voices that help individuals and families find pathways to hope, healing, and recovery.
The Role of SAMHSA
SAMHSA partners with faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship through:
- Block and formula grant program funding, which are available through states to countless faith-based organizations that engage people with or at risk for mental health and substance use disorders.
- SAMHSA-supported education and training programs, which support mental health services, substance use prevention, and addiction treatment, and help build lasting partnerships at the local and national level.
- Funding opportunities, grant announcements, application guidance, and a list of current grant awards.
Mental Health and Substance Use Resources
Faith and community leaders are often the first point of contact when individuals and families face mental health problems or traumatic events. In times of crisis, many will turn to trusted leaders in their communities before they turn to a mental health professional. With the right tools and information, faith leaders are able to:
- Recognize signs of suicide, and know how to respond when it matters most.
- Have early and honest conversations to create spaces where people feel safe enough to reach out before a crisis.
- Educate their communities about mental health and substance use prevention.
- Connect people to help through recovery with presence, compassion and sustained connection.
Faith Partnerships in Action is SAMHSA's newsletter for those who lead and serve within community organizations, faith-based entities and houses of worship. Every issue brings promising practices, partner spotlights, funding opportunities, and updates on the work happening across the country at the intersection of faith and healing.
- Faith Partnerships in Action - June 2026
- Faith Partnerships in Action - May 2026
- Faith Partnerships in Action - April 2026
See our featured stories from our Faith Partnerships in Action newsletter.
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The HHS Center for Faith (The Faith Center)
SAMHSA's work with faith communities is part of a broader federal commitment. The HHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, known as The Faith Center, works across all HHS agencies to build and strengthen partnerships with faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship. Through these partnerships, HHS extends the reach of federal programs to the individuals, families, and communities that need them most.
Webinar: Preparing to Apply for a SAMHSA Grant – Faith Communities
May 27, 2026
Faith-based entities are eligible for SAMHSA grants. This webinar shows you exactly how to get started. SAMHSA's Grants 101 for Faith Communities walks faith-based communities through the full application process, from finding the right funding opportunity to completing SAM.gov registration, Grants.gov resigtration, and eRA Commons. No prior grants experience required.
Webinar: Best Practices for Writing a SAMHSA Grant – Faith Communities
June 3, 2026
Writing a strong SAMHSA grant application takes preparation. This webinar gives faith-based entities the tools to do it. This session breaks down the grant narrative section by section, with real application examples showing what makes a response competitive. No prior grant writing experience is required.
Contact Us
For more information about SAMHSA faith-based and community engagement, email: engagement@samhsa.hhs.gov.