Louisiana Department of Health-Office of Behavioral Health
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Invitation to submit comments and priorities for the Mental Health and Substance Use Block Grants
Public Law 117-2 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021, directed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide additional funds to support states through existing Community Mental Health Block Grants (MHBG), and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants (SABG). This support is to address the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic for Americans with mental illness and substance use disorders. This document is in response to inquiries regarding funding awarded to Louisiana in the amount of $20 million dollars for each block grant, to be awarded 9/1/2021 over a period of 4 years specifically for these specified conditions.
The Office of Behavioral Health, in the Louisiana Department of Health, invite you to submit priority recommendations for use of these federal block grant funds based on your knowledge of mental health and substance use disorder needs in your communities. Please complete the questionnaire below so we can review and consider your suggestion(s) for direction of this funding. Before completing this section, please review the Block Grant Overview and Restrictions below. We look forward to your much appreciated feedback.
Public Law 117-2 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021, directed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide additional funds to support states through existing Community Mental Health Block Grants (MHBG), and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants (SABG). This support is to address the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic for Americans with mental illness and substance use disorders. This document is in response to inquiries regarding funding awarded to Louisiana in the amount of $20 million dollars for each block grant, to be awarded 9/1/2021 over a period of 4 years specifically for these specified conditions.
The Office of Behavioral Health, in the Louisiana Department of Health, invite you to submit priority recommendations for use of these federal block grant funds based on your knowledge of mental health and substance use disorder needs in your communities. Please complete the questionnaire below so we can review and consider your suggestion(s) for direction of this funding. Before completing this section, please review the Block Grant Overview and Restrictions below. We look forward to your much appreciated feedback.
Overall Block Grant Objectives:
The MHBG program’s objective is to plan and provide for a comprehensive community-based system of care for adult individuals with serious mental illness (SMI); and children with serious emotional disturbances (SED). Children includes those up to age 18 who have a diagnosable behavioral, or emotional issue that results in a functional impairment that substantially interferes with, or limits, a child’s role or functioning in family, school, or community activities.
The SABG program’s objective is to help plan, implement, and evaluate activities to prevent and treat substance use disorders. Priority populations and service areas include pregnant women and women with dependent children, intravenous drug users, tuberculosis services, early intervention services for HIV/AIDS, and primary prevention services.
Block Grant Funding Restrictions:
A. Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) Restrictions:
The State cannot expend the grant:
(1) to provide inpatient services;
(2) to make cash payments to intended recipients of health services;
(3) to purchase or improve land, purchase, construct, or permanently improve (other than minor remodeling) any building or other facility, or purchase major medical equipment;
(4) to satisfy any requirement for the expenditure of non-Federal funds as a condition for the receipt of Federal funds; or
(5) to provide financial assistance to any entity other than a public or nonprofit private entity.
B. Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG) Restrictions:
The State cannot expend the grant on the following activities:
(1) to provide inpatient hospital services;
(2) to make cash payments to intended recipients of health services;
(3) to purchase or improve land, purchase, construct, or permanently improve (other than minor remodeling) any building or other facility, or purchase major medical equipment;
(4) to satisfy any requirement for the expenditure of non-Federal funds as a condition for the receipt of Federal funds;
(5) to provide financial assistance to any entity other than a public or nonprofit private entity; or
The MHBG program’s objective is to plan and provide for a comprehensive community-based system of care for adult individuals with serious mental illness (SMI); and children with serious emotional disturbances (SED). Children includes those up to age 18 who have a diagnosable behavioral, or emotional issue that results in a functional impairment that substantially interferes with, or limits, a child’s role or functioning in family, school, or community activities.
The SABG program’s objective is to help plan, implement, and evaluate activities to prevent and treat substance use disorders. Priority populations and service areas include pregnant women and women with dependent children, intravenous drug users, tuberculosis services, early intervention services for HIV/AIDS, and primary prevention services.
Block Grant Funding Restrictions:
A. Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) Restrictions:
The State cannot expend the grant:
(1) to provide inpatient services;
(2) to make cash payments to intended recipients of health services;
(3) to purchase or improve land, purchase, construct, or permanently improve (other than minor remodeling) any building or other facility, or purchase major medical equipment;
(4) to satisfy any requirement for the expenditure of non-Federal funds as a condition for the receipt of Federal funds; or
(5) to provide financial assistance to any entity other than a public or nonprofit private entity.
B. Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG) Restrictions:
The State cannot expend the grant on the following activities:
(1) to provide inpatient hospital services;
(2) to make cash payments to intended recipients of health services;
(3) to purchase or improve land, purchase, construct, or permanently improve (other than minor remodeling) any building or other facility, or purchase major medical equipment;
(4) to satisfy any requirement for the expenditure of non-Federal funds as a condition for the receipt of Federal funds;
(5) to provide financial assistance to any entity other than a public or nonprofit private entity; or
(6) to provide individuals with hypodermic needles or syringes.