HHS announces over $700M in grants for mental health initiatives, addiction treatment and housing programs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the authority of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. this week announced over $700 million in grants aimed at treating mental illness, curbing drug addiction and mitigating homelessness.

In an announcement, the agency provided a full list of organizations benefitting from the funding. HHS was quick to note that $96 million will be allocated to the Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment and Support (STREETS) program—a federal government initiative that supports community efforts to improve behavioral health.

The remaining $612 million will be sent to a list of beneficiaries, including $238.6 million for the 988 & Suicide Crisis Lifeline—the system of crisis calls and chats available nationally to connect people with resources—and $223.1 million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC), federally certified clinics that operate locally to treat mental illness and addiction.

HHS said the money will be used to “support existing CCBHCs in sustaining and enhancing mental health and substance use disorder services,” while helping them to expand service offerings to address gaps in care.

This includes helping states to develop certification systems to help organizations and clinics to participate in the CCBHC program, typically reimbursed by Medicaid.

“Every community deserves access to effective behavioral health services that help people prevent addiction, achieve recovery, address mental health challenges, and respond to crises,” said SAMHSA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher D. Carroll. “Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics are a cornerstone of this effort, providing comprehensive, community-based care that helps people sustain recovery and rebuild their lives.”

“Alongside initiatives like STREETS, they advance the goals of the Great American Recovery Initiative by connecting people to treatment, housing, and ongoing support that strengthen communities and save lives,” he added.

Per the guidance from HHS, the money allocated to STREETS will be given to eight communities in the U.S., each of which will receive $3 million annually to spend on efforts to curb drug addiction and end homelessness.

HHS added that this includes the development of “multisector, state-of-the-art care systems for people who are homeless and have substance use disorders, serious mental illness, or co-occurring disorders.”