Bipartisan Safe Communities Act Funding Helps Communities Nationwide
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded nearly $245 million in bipartisan Safe Communities Act funding. $185.7 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and approximately $60 million from the Health Resources Administration (HRSA). ) – supports youth mental health, helps healthcare workers address mental health needs, and funds other critical mental health supports. Addressing the mental health crisis is a top priority for the Biden-Harris administration as part of President Biden’s unified agenda. A bipartisan bill signed by President Joe Biden in June gave HHS an important resource to help children and families across the country.
“Investments from the bipartisan Safer Communities Act will support critical programs for young people and their mental health, including school-based programs that meet where children and families are,” HHS said. Secretary Xavier Becerra said. “Promoting the mental health of adolescents is a top priority for HHS and this Administration, and we are encouraged by their continued bipartisan support for these important programs.”
SAMHSA’s bipartisan Safe Communities Law Awards include:
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$73.6 million for the Project to Promote Health and Resilience in Education (Project AWARE) to help develop and support school-based mental health programs and services.
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To mental health awareness training grants to prepare and train school personnel, emergency first responders, law enforcement, and others to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems and enable early intervention $57.7 million.
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Provide $14.9 million for school-based trauma-informed support services and mental health care for children and youth to increase student access to evidence-based and culturally relevant trauma support services and mental health care .
- $19.5 million for the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative. Improve treatment and services for children, adolescents and families experiencing traumatic events. When,
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Provides $20 million in grants for stress and post-trauma community resilience to promote resilience and equity and reduce violence in communities that have recently faced civil unrest, community violence, and/or collective trauma. prevent.
HRSA’s bipartisan Safe Communities Law Awards include:
- Approximately $60 million to help integrate mental health training into primary care clinician training. A particular focus is on preparing primary care providers to treat the mental health needs of children and adolescents.
“We all care about the mental health of the children and young people in this country,” said Dr. Miriam E. Delphine Rittmon, HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and leader of SAMHSA. rice field. “Additional funding for youth mental health programs provided under the bipartisan Safer Communities Act allows SAMHSA to develop programs that ensure children, young people, and their families receive the support and care they need. and helps to expand
“Often, your trusted primary care provider is your first go to when you or your child needs mental health support, but for too long, we’ve been unable to reach those primary care providers. With funding from the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Department of Health Resources Services invested in making mental health a part of primary care training. , so there’s no wrong door when families need help, said Carol Johnson, HHS Administrator at HRSA.
Help is available if you or someone you know is in distress or in danger. Call or text 988 or chat with 988lifeline.org.
For those seeking treatment for mental health or substance use problems, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) or visit findtreat.samhsa.gov.
