Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services Award Summary

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services awarded $584,878.00 in Block Grant funding to the District of Columbia Government's Department of Behavioral Health effective October 1, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2027. Under the Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services program (CFDA 93.958), these funds support comprehensive community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance within Washington, DC.

The award enables the District to deliver a range of critical behavioral health services including outpatient counseling, substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention, case management, housing assistance, and peer support programs through qualified community mental health providers and programs. The District functions as the primary awardee and pass-through entity, with the flexibility to distribute sub-awards to local government divisions, nonprofit organizations, and specialized service providers to implement the state's comprehensive community mental health service plan. Grant funds may be applied at the District's discretion to meet statutory objectives, with up to 5 percent allocated for grant administration, subject to requirements that a minimum allocation supports evidence-based programs targeting early serious mental illness and psychotic disorders.