Federal Block Grant Award Summary

The SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Center for Mental Health Services awarded $549,953 to the Virgin Islands Department of Health through the Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services program (CFDA 93.958) for the period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. This block grant provides financial assistance to enable the U.S. Virgin Islands to establish and maintain a comprehensive community-based mental health service system targeting adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances.

Under this award, the Virgin Islands Department of Health will deliver evidence-based community mental health services through qualified community programs, including community mental health centers, psychosocial rehabilitation programs, and consumer-directed peer support organizations. Authorized services encompass outpatient counseling, crisis intervention, case management, peer support services, housing assistance, and workforce training. The award prohibits use of funds for inpatient services, capital improvements, and direct cash payments to service recipients. The recipient must allocate up to five percent of grant funds for administrative costs and set aside a minimum of ten percent for evidence-based programs targeting early serious mental illness, while maintaining integrated service systems for children with serious emotional disturbances.