Block grants for community mental health services

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the State of Alaska Department of Health $5.228 million under the Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services program (CFDA 93.958) on October 1, 2025, for comprehensive community mental health services to adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance in Alaska through September 30, 2027.

The State of Alaska Department of Health, acting as the designated state agency, administers the block grant to deliver community-based mental health services through appropriate qualified community programs including community mental health centers, child mental-health programs, psychosocial rehabilitation programs, and mental-health peer-support programs. Up to 5 percent of grant funds support administration. The state must set aside 10 percent of the allocation for programs showing strong evidence of effectiveness targeting individuals with early serious mental illness including psychotic disorders, and must expend not less than the amount allocated in fiscal year 1994 for children with serious emotional disturbance.

Mat-Su Health Services, Inc., a nonprofit community health center in Wasilla, received a sub-award dated July 8, 2026, to implement a First Episode Psychosis program under this block grant.