National Council Issues Update on Federal Shutdown as Day 24 Arrives
samhsa
SAMHSA Awards RCPA Member Merakey $2M for Pilot Program to Expand Certified Community BH Clinic Services
RCPA Shares Information on Impacts of Federal Government Shutdown
PA to Receive $83 Million in State Opioid Response Funding
Pennsylvania will receive more than $83 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in State Opioid Response (SOR) grant funding, which provides critical resources to states and Tribal communities to address the overdose crisis through prevention, opioid overdose reversal medications, treatment (including medications for opioid use disorder [MOUD]) and recovery support. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through SAMHSA, announced a total allocation of more than $1.5 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 continuation funding for SOR and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grants, with $1.48 billion committed to SOR and nearly $63 million committed to TOR.
This most recent round of funding is the second year of the three-year SOR IV grant cycle, which began October 1, 2024, and runs through September 30, 2027. The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) manages and distributes SOR funding, which comprises a significant percentage of DDAP’s annual budget.
Since the SOR program began in 2018, states report that nearly 1.3 million people have received treatment services, including more than 650,000 who received MOUD. Through the SOR program, nearly 1.5 million people have received recovery support services. SAMHSA grantees reported distributing more than 10 million opioid overdose reversal kits, with opioid overdose reversal medications being used to reverse more than 550,000 overdoses. Since the TOR program began in 2018, Tribes report that approximately 16,500 patients have received treatment services, and SAMHSA grantees reported distributing more than 116,500 naloxone kits, with opioid reversal medications being used to reverse more than 1,750 overdoses.
Public Comment Sought On SUPTRS Block Grant Application
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is providing the opportunity for public comment on the Pennsylvania Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services (SUPTRS) Block Grant application. This application will occur in three parts:
- Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Assessment and Plan
- SUPTRS Report (available in November)
- Annual Synar Report (available in December)
The application documents can be accessed through SAMHSA’s Web Block Grant Application System (WebBGAS) using the login “citizenpa” and password “citizen.”
Please submit your comments by Tuesday, September 30.
National Council Shares SAMHSA’s Strategic Priorities
DDAP to Kick Off Recovery Month on Sept. 6; Other Events Planned Throughout September
September is National Recovery Month. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) established National Recovery Month in 1989 to promote evidence-based treatment and recovery practices. It also celebrates the nation’s vibrant recovery community and honors all those who help make recovery possible. In addition, National Recovery Month plays a vital role in fostering understanding and driving positive change in the fields of addiction and mental health.
As part of its celebration of Recovery Month, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is lifting up the voices of people in recovery, their loved ones, and those working in the field. If you are in recovery, love someone who is, or work in the field, you are encouraged to share your story of hope, encouragement, or inspiration. Responses will be featured throughout September — and beyond — on DDAP’s social media channels.
DDAP will officially kick off Recovery Month at 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 6, with “Recovery Out Loud” at City Island in Harrisburg, featuring an afternoon of community, music, and inspiration.
In addition, DDAP and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have announced their second annual Recovery in Nature sites within Pennsylvania’s state park system. The initiative will run throughout the month of September in conjunction with National Recovery Month. Recovery in Nature is designed to remind Pennsylvanians of the healing power of nature — particularly for individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) — and encourage all Pennsylvanians to take advantage of trails and waterways throughout the Commonwealth’s state parks.
Lastly, DDAP will close out Recovery Month with “Recovery in Reach,” the Department’s Recovery Month Wellness & Resource Fair — a morning focused on connection and healing. Join DDAP at Soldier’s Grove in Harrisburg for wellness activities, helpful resources, and a celebration of support.
Visit DDAP’s website for a list of Recovery Month events happening across the Commonwealth.
SAMHSA Announces $43M in Supplemental Funding to Support Youth Recovery Housing Services
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced $43 million in new supplemental funding available to State Opioid Response program grantees to expand recovery housing services for young adults, ages 18–24.
This one-year supplemental funding requires grant recipients to develop and/or expand recovery housing services for young adults with opioid or stimulant use disorders. States and territories that accept the supplemental funding will also be able to provide treatment, including family-based treatment, provide dedicated care coordinators to assist in navigating various service sectors, and provide individuals with a range of recovery support services, such as coaching, vocational training, employment support, transportation, childcare, and more.
The current SOR formula will be used to calculate the award amounts for all 50 states.
More information is available on SAMHSA’s website.
SAMHSA to Host In-Person Opioid Treatment Program Workshop in Harrisburg Area on August 12
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting an in-person workshop “Implementing the Revised 42 CFR Part 8 Regulations in Opioid Treatment Programs,” from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 12 at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, PA. Register online by Friday, August 8.
This full-day, in-person workshop will review the revised federal regulations for opioid treatment programs (OTP) and provide practical guidance for implementation. Topics will include:
- Overview of the 42 CFR Part 8 updates;
- FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD);
- Practitioner discretion in care delivery; and
- Screening, admission, and assessment protocols.
Who should attend: Clinical, counseling, and administrative OTP staff
Continuing education: Eligible participants will receive a certificate for 8 CME/CEU credits (practitioners, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare providers).
If you have any questions, please send them electronically.
SAMHSA Announces Grant Funding for Community Health Providers Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is announcing the notice of a funding opportunity (NOFO) for a new Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot. SAMHSA estimates awarding between 13 to 40 grants. This grant will be up to three years, and the amount funded will be based on a tiered system explained in the NOFO. Applications are due no later than August 1, 2025.
The purpose of the Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot is to leverage existing health care institutions’ capacity to prevent, test for, treat, and cure Hepatitis C (HCV) in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or severe mental illness (SMI), particularly in communities severely affected by homelessness, as well as to gain insights on effective ways to identify patients, complete treatment, and reduce reinfection. Recipients of this program are expected to implement a holistic approach that integrates HCV and HIV testing, comprehensive prevention treatment, and recovery support services for SUD, SMI, hepatitis C, and HIV as needed. Through this initiative, SAMHSA aims to increase the number of individuals who are cured of HCV, reduce the incidence of HCV and HIV in grant-funded communities, and help address the intersection of SUD, SMI, infectious disease, and homelessness in high-need populations across the nation.
The NOFO and application details can be found at the following websites:
This is a unique opportunity for Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHC), as many CCBHCs may have the infrastructure to support this grant and may find this pilot to be aligned with their CCBHC programming.
To prepare and submit an application for the Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot, it is essential to refer to the specific NOFO and the FY 2025 NOFO Application Guide. The Application Guide provides detailed instructions on the application process, including registration requirements, attachment completion, budget preparation, and adherence to federal policies and regulations.
SAMHSA requires applicants to download application forms from the Grants.gov website and may need additional forms from the SAMHSA website. It is crucial to ensure that all required forms are completed and included in the application. Incomplete applications without all the necessary forms may be deemed ineligible for review.
