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Tribal Behavioral Health Grant Program

Description

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and Substance Use Prevention (CSAP), are accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 Tribal Behavioral Health grant program (Short Title: Native Connections). The purpose of this program is to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance use, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth through the age of 24 years.

The Native Connections program is intended to reduce the impact of mental and substance use disorders, foster culturally responsive models that reduce and respond to the impact of trauma in AI/AN communities¹ , and allow AI/AN communities to facilitate collaboration among agencies to support youth as they transition into adulthood.

It is expected that recipients will develop and implement an array of integrated services and supports to prevent suicide and reduce the impact of mental and substance use disorders and trauma. Recipients should lead efforts to improve coordination among mental health, trauma, suicide prevention, and prevention services for tribal youth and their families. AI/AN community members should be involved in all grant activities, including planning, program implementation, and evaluation. At a minimum, community members should include youth, family members, tribal leaders, and spiritual advisors.

¹For the purpose of this FOA, community or communities refers to the tribe, village, tribal organization, or consortium of tribes or tribal organizations.

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes, tribal organizations, Urban Indian Organizations, or consortia of tribes and tribal organizations. The purpose of this program is to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance use among AI/AN youth through the age of 24 years. Therefore, SAMHSA is limiting eligibility to these entities since they are in the best position to implement the goals and objectives of the program.

Recipients who received funding under SM-18-017, SM-17-005, or SM-16-010 are not eligible to apply for funding under this FOA. Additionally, an eligible applicant cannot submit more than one application.

Indian tribe, as defined at 25 U.S.C. § 1603(14), refers to any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including Alaska Native village or group or regional or village corporation, as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

Tribal organization, as defined at 25 U.S.C. §1603(26), refers to the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body, or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization, and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities. Provided, that in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefitting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of each such Indian tribe shall be a prerequisite in the letting or making of such contract or grant.

Urban Indian Organization (UIO), as defined at 25 U.S.C. § 1603(29), operating pursuant to a contract or grant with the Indian Health Service, refers to a non-profit board of directors situated in an urban center, governed by an urban Indian-controlled Board of Directors, and providing for the maximum participation of all interested Indian groups and individuals whose body is capable of legally cooperating with other public and private entities for the purpose of performing the activities described in [25 U.S.C. § 1653(a)]. UIOs are not tribes or tribal governments and do not have the same consultation rights or trust relationship with the federal government.

A consortia of tribes or tribal organizations are eligible to apply, but each participating entity must indicate its approval. A single tribe in the consortium must be the legal applicant, the recipient of the award, and the entity legally responsible for satisfying the grant requirements.

Award Information

Funding Mechanism: Grant

Anticipated Total Available Funding: $12,797,090 (CMHS - $8,476,531; CSAP - $4,320,559)

Anticipated Number of Awards: 51

Anticipated Award Amount: Up to $250,000 per year

Length of Project: Up to 5 years

Cost Sharing/Match Required?: No

Proposed budgets cannot exceed $250,000 in total costs (direct and indirect) in any year of the proposed project. Annual continuation awards will depend on the availability of funds, recipient progress in meeting project goals and objectives, timely submission of required data and reports, and compliance with all terms and conditions of award.