Statewide Consumer Network Grant

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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2012 Statewide Consumer Network grants. The purpose of this program is to enhance statewide consumer-run organizations to promote service system capacity and infrastructure development that is recovery-focused and resiliency-oriented. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, this program seeks to address the needs of underserved and under-represented consumers, such as veterans; those with histories of trauma; those from ethnic, racial, or cultural minority groups; and those who have been involved in the criminal justice system. The Statewide Consumer Network program also seeks to promote activities related to partnership development with peers in recovery from addictions; peer support, and service needs related to gender; training and skills development; trauma-informed peer support; legacy planning; wellness; and/or economic empowerment as part of the recovery process for consumers. Background Information for the Consumer Network Program is available in Appendix J of this RFA. SAMHSA has demonstrated that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and substance use disorders. Behavioral health services improve health status and reduce health care and other costs to society. Continued improvement in the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment and recovery support services provides a cost effective opportunity to advance and protect the Nation’s health. To continue to improve the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment and recovery support services, SAMHSA has identified eight Strategic Initiatives to focus the Agency’s work on improving lives and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. The Statewide Consumer program closely aligns with SAMHSA’s Recovery Support Strategic Initiative. This initiative supports the goal of recovery through the support of following domains: Health: Overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) as well as living in a physically and emotionally healthy way; Home: A stable and safe place to live that supports recovery; Purpose: Meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income, and resources to participate in society; and Community: Relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope. As part of the support for the Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, SAMHSA funded the Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS-TACS) to promote the widespread adoption of recovery concepts and practices throughout the United States. The BRSS-TACS will help facilitate the dissemination of information among consumers, family and youth about health care reform initiated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010. Statewide Consumer Network grants are authorized under 520A of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Mental Health and Mental Disorders Topic Area HP 2020-MHMD.

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