SAMHSA Announces Grants to Address Mental Health Needs of Minorities Living with HIV/AIDS

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Mental Health Services on Thursday announced the availability of funding to improve mental health services for minorities living with HIV/AIDS, according to a SAMHSA release. SAMHSA Acting Administrator Dr. Joseph Autry said, "HIV creates profound biological and social consequences for those persons infected. They have a broad range of medical, mental health, substance use and psychosocial needs. Organizations that receive funding through this program must establish linkages and networks to enhance service coordination and integration." Approximately $6 million will be available to fund up to 15 community-based HIV/AIDS Mental Health Treatment Services awards. The average annual grant will range from $350,000 to $450,000 for up to five years. Another $2 million is available to eight to 12 groups also applying for an HIV/AIDS Mental Health Treatment Service award to conduct HIV/AIDS and mental health education and training at the community level. These grants will range from $150,000 to $350,000 for up to five years. A third award of $1.4 million for a program Coordinating Center will also be available. The center will provide "both individual and multi-site technical assistance in the implementation, evaluation and outcome assessment of the 'treatment services' and 'education and training' awards." Applicants for the awards should be "existing, experienced community-based providers that serve predominantly racial and ethnic minorities and have the capacity to provide mental health and HIV/AIDS services." HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said, "Too often service providers from the HIV/AIDS and mental health systems of care do not communicate with one another, even though they may be responsible for delivering care to the same individual. This program will bring these and other service providers together in communities that are working to improve services for people who are racial and ethnic minorities living with HIV/AIDS." The deadline to apply for these grants is May 21, 2001 (SAMHSA release, 3/22).