Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services-Access to Recovery

To implement voucher programs for substance abuse clinical treatment and recovery support services pursuant to sections 501 (d)(5) and 509 of Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. sections 290aa(d)(5) and 290bb-2). This program, called Access to Recovery (ATR), is to provide client choice among substance abuse clinical treatment and recovery support service providers, expand access to a comprehensive array of clinical treatment and recovery support options (including faith-based programmatic options), and increase substance abuse treatment capacity. Monitoring outcomes, tracking costs, and preventing waste, fraud and abuse to ensure accountability and effectiveness in the use of Federal funds are also important elements of the ATR program. Through the ATR grants, States, Territories, the District of Columbia and Tribal Organizations (hereinafter collectively referred to as "States") will have flexibility in designing and implementing voucher programs to meet the needs of clients in the State. The key to successful implementation of the voucher programs supported by the ATR grants will be the relationship between the States and clients receiving services, to ensure that clients have a genuine, free, and independent choice among eligible providers. States are encouraged to support any mixture of clinical treatment and recovery support services that can be expected to achieve the program's goal of achieving cost-effective, successful outcomes for the largest number of people.

Eligibility for Access to Recovery (ATR) grants is limited to the immediate office of the Chief Executive (e.g., Governor) in the States, Territories, District of Columbia; or the head of a Tribal Organization. (A "Tribal Organization" means the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe or any legally established organization of Indians, including urban Indian health boards, inter-tribal councils, or regional Indian health boards, which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such an organization.) The Chief Executive of the State, Territory, or District of Columbia, or the head of the Tribal Organization must sign the application. Eligibility is limited to the immediate office of these Chief Executives because only they have the authority to leverage funding across the State, implement the necessary policy changes, manage the fiscal responsibilities, and coordinate the range of programs necessary for successful implementation of the voucher programs to be funded through these grants. No more than on application from any one Chief Executive or head of a Tribal Organization will be funded.

Eligibility for Access to Recovery (ATR) grants is limited to the immediate office of the Chief Executive (e.g., Governor) in the States, Territories, District of Columbia; or the head of a Tribal Organization" means the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe or any legally established organization of Indians, including urban health boards, inter-tribal councils, or regional Indian health boards, which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such an organization.)

The Chief Executive of the State, Territory, or District of Columbia, or the head of the Tribal Organization must sign the application.

Funds (including direct costs and indirect costs) may be used only for expenses clearly related and necessary to carry out approved activities.

Applications will be accepted for a project period of 1 to 3 years with 12-month budget periods. Annual awards will be made subject to continued availability of funds and progress achieved.

Applications must comply with the following requirements, or they will be screened out and will not be reviewed: Use the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 form; Application submission requirements in Section IV-3 of this document; and Formatting requirements provided in Section IV-2.4 of this document. Applicants also may download the required documents from the SAMHSA Web site at www.samhsa.gov . Includes the face page, budget forms, and checklist. Applicants must use the SF-424 application form. Applications not submitted on the SF-424 will be screened out and will not be reviewed. Request for Applications (RFA)-Includes instructions for the grant application. This document is the RFA.