Mental health peer leadership project - nami missouri's mental health peer leadership project will strengthen statewide peer-led mental health recovery capacity by expanding peer leadership, improving…

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $150,000 to Nami Of Missouri on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.532) to strengthen statewide peer-led mental health recovery capacity.

Nami Of Missouri will expand peer leadership, improve program coordination, and increase access to recovery-focused education and support across urban, suburban, and rural communities in Missouri. The project will develop a statewide peer support plan, strengthen leadership and management systems, recruit and support peer leaders, and increase participation of individuals with lived experience in boards, advisory roles, and advocacy activities. The organization will serve individuals with serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use concerns, trauma histories, disabilities, prior crisis or treatment involvement, and limited access to behavioral health care. Programming is tailored to reach veterans, people experiencing homelessness, individuals with low incomes, and those with limited access to transportation. The project will also benefit certified peer specialists, individuals interested in becoming peer support specialists, Nami Of Missouri members and volunteers, and behavioral health professionals and providers who may employ peers.

Place of performance is Jefferson City, Missouri. The period of performance runs through September 29, 2029.

Mental health peer leadership project - nami missouri's mental health peer leadership project will strengthen statewide peer-led mental health recovery capacity by expanding peer leadership, improving program coordination, and increasing access to recovery-focused education and support. The project will reach communities throughout urban, suburban, and rural communities in missouri, where access to peer support, recovery education, and lived-experience leadership remains limited. Capacity development is needed to strengthen the statewide network for peer-led programs and increase consistent access to peer support, recovery education, and lived-experience leadership opportunities for peers. The project will serve individuals with various clinical characteristics, including CO-occurring substance use concerns, trauma histories, disabilities, prior crisis or treatment involvement, and those with limited access to behavioral health care and peer support, as well as individuals who have been involved with criminal justice, social services, and community-based support systems. Due to tailored programming, nami missouri expects to impact veterans and people who are homeless. Outreach will also include people with low incomes and limited access to transportation. The project will also benefit certified peer specialists, individuals interested in becoming peer support specialists, nami missouri members and volunteers, and behavioral health professionals and providers who work with or may employ peers. Grant activities will build nami missouri's capacity as a statewide peer-run organization and expand opportunities for peers to lead, participate in, and shape behavioral health systems. Nami missouri will increase capacity by developing a statewide peer support plan; strengthening leadership, management, and evaluation systems; recruiting and supporting peer leaders; increasing participation of individuals with lived experience in boards, advisory roles, and advocacy activities; and expanding available peer support and education. Project goals are to strengthen organizational capacity; expand peer leadership, peer voice, and peer workforce development; increase access to peer-led education, support, and advocacy; and improve data-informed planning, evaluation, and sustainability. Measurable objectives include developing a statewide peer support and capacity-building plan within three months of award; increasing peer participation in leadership, training, advisory, and advocacy activities; expanding outreach to youth and young adults and adults with serious mental illness; training peers to share their recovery stories for speakers bureau projects; training new peers to lead support groups and teach education courses; and increasing the number of peer support groups and peer education courses available to people living with mental illness. These objectives support samhsa strategic priorities by addressing serious mental illness, improving access to recovery supports, helping individuals achieve long-term recovery, and strengthening community-based responses to behavioral health needs.