Evaluation Summaries and Reports
The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) works across SAMHSA and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to plan, implement, and monitor program evaluations.
Evaluation Policies
Under The Foundation for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, federal agencies are expected to expand their capacity for engaging in program evaluation by designating evaluation officers, developing learning agendas; producing annual evaluation plans and enabling a workforce to conduct internal evaluations. To this end, SAMHSA seeks to promote rigor, relevance, transparency, independence, and ethics in the conduct of its evaluations.
Evaluation Summaries and Reports
SAMHSA's portfolio of evaluation summaries and reports provide a systematic overview of behavioral health initiatives across SAMHSA. The Office of Evaluation (OE), a key part of SAMHSA's commitment to rigorous evaluation, maintains information on evidence-based programs and practices that have been reviewed by the Office of Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use.
Ongoing Evaluations
SAMHSA analyzes data in support of agency needs and develops evaluation and performance-related reports in response to internal and external requests. This list of evaluations is not exhaustive
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Services National Program Evaluation
Duration: 2023–2028
Evaluates implementation of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the broader crisis care continuum across 988 crisis contact centers, mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization facilities, states, territories, and tribes.
Assessment of Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse Initiative (SUD PEI)
Duration: 2024–2027
Evaluates how organizations participating in the Communities Talk national initiative implement activities and use resources to expand community engagement in preventing alcohol and other drug misuse.
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Expansion (CCBHC‑E) Grant Program
Duration: 2023–2028
Evaluates implementation of the CCBHC model, which is designed to expand access to comprehensive, coordinated behavioral health services.
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CSAT Umbrella Evaluation Contract (CUEC)
Duration: 2022–2028
Evaluates multiple substance use treatment programs, including those addressing opioid use disorder, overdose prevention, and services for pregnant and postpartum women, to provide a comprehensive assessment of program implementation and outcomes.
Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program
Duration: 2022–2027
Evaluates implementation, outcomes, and impact of the Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program. National data collection helps expand the evidence base of the GLS program reach and outcomes.
Projects for Advancing the Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
Duration: 2025–2026
Evaluates implementation and effectiveness of PATH in supporting outreach, engagement, and service delivery for individuals with serious mental illness who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Program Evaluation Effectiveness and Review Services (PEERS)
Duration: 2022–2027
Evaluates multiple substance use and overdose prevention programs within SAMHSA’s portfolio to assess how effective they are at implementing the program and the extent to which they achieve intended outcomes.
Program Evaluation for Prevention Contract (PEP‑C)
Duration: 2024–2028
Evaluates how state, tribal, and community prevention programs are planned and implemented to reduce prescription drug misuse, other substance use, and overdose, and are designed to raise awareness and support public education to strengthen knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and action related to the risks of sharing medications and counterfeit pills.
Programs to Reduce Underage Drinking Act (STOP Act)
Duration: 2022–2027
Assesses implementation of national and state-level efforts to prevent underage drinking and strengthen enforcement of underage sales to youth, including policy implementation, public health messaging, and media campaigns. The evaluation supports required reporting to Congress and measures progress in reducing underage drinking.
Zero Suicide in Health Systems Program
Duration: 2023–2028
Evaluates implementation, effectiveness, and overall impact of the program’s Zero Suicide framework, an evidence-based approach to improving suicide prevention within health care systems, particularly in reducing suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and deaths.