Deadline: 1-May-23
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), is accepting applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Transforming Lives Through Supported Employment program.
Purpose
The purpose is to support state and community efforts to refine, implement, and sustain evidence-based supported employment programs and mutually compatible and supportive evidence-based practices (e.g., supported education) for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) or co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (COD). The awards provide resources to help individuals with SMI or COD achieve competitive employment and build paths to self-sufficiency and recovery. SAMHSA expects that this program will increase state and community capacity to implement and sustain Supported Employment Program (SEP) models and integrated supports to improve competitive employment outcomes.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Available Funding: $4,870,995
- Estimated Number of Awards: 6
- Estimated Award Amount: Up to $800,000.00 per year per award.
- Length of Project Period: Up to 5 years.
Required Activities
Required activities are the activities that every award recipient must implement. They must be reflected in the Project Narrative of your application.
In the Project Narrative, applicants must indicate the total number of unduplicated individuals that will be served each year of the award and over the total project period. Recipients are expected to achieve the numbers that are proposed. Project implementation is expected to begin by the fourth month of the award.
Recipients must use SAMHSA’s funds to support direct services, including the following activities:
- Identify and implement an evidence-based Supported Employment model (e.g., Individual Placement and Support) that is responsive to the selected population(s) of focus and adheres to practice fidelity or standards.
- Conduct supported employment fidelity assessments no later than 90 days after service delivery begins and annually thereafter. Every fidelity assessment must include a plan to increase/improve adherence to the selected supported employment model.
- Provide specialized and individualized support to individuals with SMI and COD to choose, acquire, and maintain competitive employment.
- Provide comprehensive treatment and recovery support services (e.g., psychiatric services including psychotropic medication, psychotherapeutic interventions, as indicated, inclusive of individual, group, family therapy(ies), case management, physical healthcare, social services supports (including housing, and assistance accessing state/federal benefits) for SMI and/or COD in conjunction with vocational services.
- Develop and implement an employer engagement strategy (i.e., job development strategy) that increases the program’s capacity to: (1) respond to the unique vocational interests of each person served; (2) develop and nurture relationships with appropriate employers in the community; (3) respond to changes in the local labor market; and (4) work with employers to develop tenure and long-term opportunities for persons hired. This strategy must be completed within 6 months of the project period and be updated as needed.
- Provide program outreach and accessibility to services for under resourced populations to ensure that individuals and families can access supported employment services when and where they need them, and in a way that is responsive to their needs and preferences.
- Provide training on behavioral health implementation for the national Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards to all program staff.
- Develop and implement a strategy to respond to the unique needs of individuals who are unsuccessful in finding employment (i.e., reassess, reengage, and adjust services to all individuals who do not find employment after 120 days). This strategy must be completed within 6 months of the project period and be updated as needed.
- Develop and implement a strategy for long-term employment stability (e.g., strengthening natural supports for individuals who have worked for more than 90 days). This strategy must be completed within 6 months of the project period and be updated as needed.
- Develop a sustainability plan that identifies mechanisms for sustaining activities funded by this grant and delineates steps necessary for exercising those mechanisms. This can be done in partnership with entities including the state Medicaid Authority, Department of Disability Services, etc.
- Assess for housing status and collaborate with homeless and housing service providers to link to the local HUD Coordinated Entry housing system. This is to assure that persons who are homeless and of risk of homelessness receive optimal SE services and housing supports.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants are States and Territories, including the District of Columbia, political subdivisions of States, Indian tribes, or tribal organizations, health facilities, or programs operated by or in accordance with a contract or award with the Indian Health Service, or other public or private non-profit entities.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.