Block grants for community mental health services

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health $64.956 million under the Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services program (CFDA 93.958) on October 1, 2025, with performance through September 30, 2027.

The award funds comprehensive community mental health services to adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance across Massachusetts. Massachusetts DMH delivers services through community mental health centers, child mental health programs, psychosocial rehabilitation programs, mental health peer-support programs, and consumer-directed programs. The state is required to set aside 10 percent of its allocation for programs with strong evidence of effectiveness targeting individuals with early serious mental illness, including psychotic disorders. Up to 5 percent of grant funds may be used for administering the award. The funds support outpatient counseling, substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention, case management, housing assistance, peer support, workforce training, and public education. Massachusetts DMH collaborates with local nonprofit organizations, community mental health centers, housing authorities, and academic institutions including Tufts University to implement these programs. Place of performance is Boston, Massachusetts.