	Background

In recent years, Members of both chambers have introduced legislation that would reauthorize, amend, add, or eliminate programs and activities undertaken by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This report briefly summarizes SAMHSA's major programs and activities and describes the agency's organizational structure. Block Grants

SAMHSA's two biggest programs are block grants—one supports mental health services and the other supports substance abuse prevention and treatment services. SAMHSA distributes SABG funds to states (including the District of Columbia and specified territories) and one tribal entity according to a formula. Programs of Regional and National Significance (PRNS)

SAMHSA's Programs of Regional and National Significance (PRNS) encompass numerous grants and activities within each of three areas: (1) mental health, (2) substance abuse treatment, and (3) substance abuse prevention. Three of the programs (GLS—Youth Suicide Prevention—States, GLS—Youth Suicide Prevention—Campus, and GLS—Suicide Prevention Resource Center) are separately authorized under PHSA sections amended or added by the Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Act ( P.L. 108-355 ). Example: Pregnant and Postpartum Women

The Pregnant and Postpartum Women program supports residential substance use disorder treatment services for pregnant and postpartum women. Example: Drug-Free Workplace and National Laboratory Certification

As an example of substance abuse prevention PRNS, SAMHSA provides oversight of the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program and the related National Laboratory Certification Program. Other Grant Programs

In addition to its block grants and numerous discretionary grants under the PRNS authorities, SAMHSA has three other grant programs: Children's Mental Health Services, Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH), and Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI). The states, in turn, make grants to local governments and private non-profit organizations to support mental health and substance abuse treatment, case management, and other services. SAMHSA's Organizational Structure

SAMHSA is organized in four centers supported by headquarters offices, regional administrators, and advisory councils and committees. SAMHSA estimates that it will support 665 full-time employee equivalents in FY2016 and FY2017. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ)

The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) has primary responsibility for collecting and analyzing behavioral health statistics.
In recent years, Members of both chambers have introduced legislation that would reauthorize, amend, add, or eliminate programs and activities undertaken by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This report briefly summarizes SAMHSA's major programs and activities and describes the agency's organizational structure. The Appendix provides an overview of SAMHSA's budget.
SAMHSA's two biggest programs are the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG, $533 million in FY2016) and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG, $1.9 billion in FY2016). Both block grant programs distribute funds to states (including the District of Columbia and territories) according to a formula. The states, in turn, may distribute funds to local government entities and non-profit organizations. The SABG also distributes funds to one tribal entity.
SAMHSA's Programs of Regional and National Significance (PRNS) encompass numerous grants and activities within each of three areas:
Mental health ($407 million in FY2016): for example, suicide prevention activities, some of which are separately authorized under the Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Act (P.L. 108-355). Substance abuse treatment ($334 million in FY2016): for example, the Pregnant and Postpartum Women program, which supports residential substance use disorder treatment services for pregnant and postpartum women. Substance abuse prevention ($211 million in FY2016): for example, SAMHSA's oversight of the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program and the related National Laboratory Certification Program.
SAMHSA has three other grant programs: Children's Mental Health Services ($119 million in FY2016), Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH, $65 million in FY2016), and Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI, $36 million in FY2016).
In addition, SAMHSA conducts surveillance and data collection, statistical and analytic support, performance and quality information systems activities, and agency-wide initiatives.
SAMHSA is organized in four centers: (1) the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS, $1.2 billion in FY2016); (2) the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT, $2.2 billion in FY2016); (3) the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP, $211 million in FY2016); and (4) the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ, $120 million in FY2016). The work of the four centers is supported by headquarters offices, regional administrators, and advisory councils and committees. SAMHSA estimates that it will support 665 full-time employee equivalents in FY2016 and FY2017.