White House Administration Commits $27.5 Million to Women’s Behavioral Health

The American Counseling Association applauds the Biden Administration for creating new funding opportunities to enhance Women’s Behavioral Health. On Monday, July 8, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced notices of funding opportunities through HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The $27.5 million is aimed at improving women’s behavioral health throughout the United States.. This funding was made possible through the White House Administration's American Rescue Plan and will help address the unique mental health and substance use disorder issues experienced by women.

Use the links below to learn more about the funding opportunities:

• Community-Based Maternal Behavioral Health Services Program – $15.0 million – This program improves access to timely, culturally relevant, evidence-based maternal mental health and substance use treatment. Specifically, the program strengthens community referral pathways and provides seamless transitions in care for pregnant women who are at risk for or currently have a behavioral health condition in the perinatal and postpartum periods.
• Women’s Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Center – $12.5 million – This program will enhance the capacity of women’s behavioral health providers, general health care providers and others involved in the holistic care of women to address the diverse needs of women with or at risk for mental health and substance use conditions. The program is expected to identify and improve the implementation of evidence-based practices in women’s behavioral health across the lifespan through the provision of training and technical assistance for providers that includes individual consultation, targeted technical assistance, coaching, learning communities and online educational materials. With this program, SAMHSA aims to fill vital gaps in the field related to provider knowledge and ability to treat the mental health and substance use conditions of women across the nation.

This announcement is historic. ACA will continue to watch the development of these grants and other programs committed to behavioral health, and encourage ACA members to research the grants and apply.