Block Grant B09SM090706

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services awarded the California Department of Health Care Services a $40.1 million block grant for Community Mental Health Services (CFDA 93.958) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. This grant supports the delivery of evidence-based community mental health services to adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances across California. Funded services include outpatient counseling, crisis intervention, case management, peer support services, housing assistance, and workforce training, all delivered exclusively through qualified community programs such as community mental health centers, psychosocial rehabilitation programs, and consumer-directed peer support organizations.

Under statutory program requirements, California must allocate up to 5 percent of grant funds for administrative costs and set aside a minimum of 10 percent to support evidence-based programs targeting early serious mental illness. The grant prohibits use of funds for inpatient services, capital improvements, and direct cash payments to service recipients. As the designated state agency, the California Department of Health Care Services retains discretion in distributing resources to achieve program objectives and is expected to sub-award portions of funding to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community-based service providers to establish comprehensive, integrated mental health service systems throughout the state.