Project Grant H79SM091501

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded the Missouri Department of Mental Health $650,000 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.532) to expand mental health and substance use disorder diversion services across seven rural counties in Southeast Missouri.

The Southeast Missouri Early Diversion Initiative will screen, provide crisis response, and rapidly link to care more than 1,300 adults at risk of criminal justice involvement over five years. The project targets individuals experiencing mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorders—including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and elevated suicide risk—across Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Madison, Mississippi, Perry, Scott, and Ste. Genevieve counties, covering 3,534 square miles with a population of 202,863. The initiative strengthens coordination among behavioral health providers, law enforcement, emergency medical services, crisis services, and community stakeholders. Mobile outreach, veteran-focused supports—targeting 10,087 veterans in the service area experiencing disproportionately high rates of PTSD, mood and anxiety disorders, and suicidal ideation—and validated screening tools will increase treatment access in underserved rural regions and reduce preventable arrests.

Performance extends from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2031, with place of performance in Jefferson City, Missouri.