Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery Program-Priority to Veterans

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2009 for the Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery Program-Priority to Veterans grants. The purpose of this program is to support local implementation and State/Tribe-wide expansion of trauma-integrated jail diversion programs to address the needs of individuals with mental illness such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma related disorders involved in the justice system. In recognition of the dramatically higher prevalence of trauma related illnesses among veterans, this program will prioritize eligibility for veterans. As of April 2008, approximately 1.64 million men and women have been deployed to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in support of the Global War on Terror. Individuals returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are at increased risk for suffering post-traumatic stress and other related disorders. Experts estimate that up to one-third of returning veterans will need mental health and/or substance abuse treatment and related services. In addition, the family members of returning veterans have an increased need for related support services. The program will support States/Tribes to pilot projects locally, integrate them into an existing system of care and to replicate them State/Tribe-wide. This two-pronged approach is necessary because diversion occurs locally in cities and counties where jails are operated and mental health services are delivered. However, policies and funding at the State/Tribe level dramatically impact those local operations and services. The State/Tribe approach will bring together government officials who develop and define State/Tribe policies and funding with stakeholders who are impacted by the untreated trauma of veterans to develop knowledge dissemination and application strategies for the entire State/Tribe. Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery is one of SAMHSA’s services grant programs. SAMHSA’s services grants are designed to address gaps in mental health prevention and treatment services and/or to increase the ability of States, units of local government, American Indian/Alaska Native Tribes and tribal organizations, and community- and faith-based organizations to help specific populations or geographic areas with serious, emerging mental health problems. SAMHSA intends that its services grants result in the delivery of services as soon as possible after award. Service delivery should begin by the 12th month of the project at the latest. Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery grants are authorized under 520G of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2010 focus area 18 (Mental Health and Mental Disorders).