Block grants for community mental health services

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded the Oregon Health Authority $35.359 million on October 1, 2025, under the Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services program (CFDA 93.958). The award supports delivery of comprehensive community mental health services to adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance across Oregon through the period ending September 30, 2027.

Oregon Health Authority, the designated state agency for mental health services, receives the funds to implement its state plan for community-based mental health systems. Services are delivered through qualified community programs, including community mental health centers, child mental-health programs, psychosocial rehabilitation programs, mental health peer-support programs, and mental-health primary consumer-directed programs. Up to 5 percent of grant funds may support administration. Oregon Health Authority must maintain records consistent with state law, set aside 10 percent of the allocation for evidence-based programs targeting individuals with early serious mental illness including psychotic disorders, and meet minimum expenditure levels for services to children with serious emotional disturbance. The grant prohibits use of funds for inpatient services, cash payments to service recipients, facility purchase or construction, major medical equipment acquisition, or financial assistance to for-profit entities. Place of performance is Salem, Oregon.