Puerto rico children's mental health initiative (PR-cmhi) - this project will establish a family-driven, youth-guided system of care (SOC) in vega alta and maunabo, puerto rico, to improve…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $1.5 million to Administracion De Servicios De Salud Mental Y Contra La Adiccion (Assmca) on September 30, 2026, under the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances program (CFDA 93.104).

The Puerto Rico Children's Mental Health Initiative will establish a family-driven, youth-guided system of care in Vega Alta and Maunabo, Puerto Rico, serving 1,500 unduplicated participants over four years. The initiative addresses service gaps through a competitive provider network, centralized outreach and referral, high-fidelity wraparound services, crisis services, intensive home-based interventions, and a digital behavioral health safety plan. The project targets youth with significant behavioral health needs, trauma exposure, and limited access to coordinated care. Expected outcomes include expanded access to services, improved behavioral health and functioning, stronger family engagement, enhanced cross-system collaboration, high participant satisfaction, and sustainable system of care infrastructure.

Performance occurs in Puerto Rico with a period of performance through September 29, 2030. Assmca, Puerto Rico's state-level behavioral health authority headquartered in Arecibo, operates as a federal grant recipient delivering mental health and substance abuse treatment services across the territory.

Puerto rico children's mental health initiative (PR-cmhi) - this project will establish a family-driven, youth-guided system of care (SOC) in vega alta and maunabo, puerto rico, to improve behavioral health services for children, youth, and young adults from birth through age 21. Serving 1,500 unduplicated participants over four years, the initiative will address service gaps through a competitive provider network, centralized outreach and referral, high-fidelity wraparound, crisis services, intensive home-based interventions, and a digital behavioral health safety plan. The project targets youth with significant behavioral health needs, trauma exposure, and limited access to coordinated care. Expected outcomes include expanded access to services, improved behavioral health and functioning, stronger family engagement, enhanced cross-system collaboration, high participant satisfaction, and sustainable system of care infrastructure.