Child Mental Health Initiative (CMHI)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2009 for Cooperative Agreements for Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families (CMHI). The purpose of this program is to support States, political subdivisions within States, the District of Columbia, Territories, Native American Tribes and tribal organizations, in developing integrated home and community-based services and supports for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families by encouraging the development and expansion of effective and enduring systems of care. A “system of care” is an organizational philosophy and framework that involves collaboration across agencies, families, and youth for the purpose of improving access and expanding the array of coordinated community-based, culturally and linguistically competent services and supports for children and youth with a serious emotional disturbance and their families. Research has demonstrated that systems of care have a positive effect on the structure, organization, and availability of services for children and youth with serious mental health needs. An estimated 4.5 to 6.3 million children and youth in the United States suffer from a serious emotional disturbance and approximately 65% to 80% of these children and youth do not receive the specialty mental health services and supports they need. Grantees will be expected to develop, implement, expand and disseminate broad, innovative system changes which improve outcomes for children, youth and families and create long-term positive transformation of services and supports. Child Mental Health Initiative cooperative agreements are authorized under Section 561 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2010 focus area 18 (Mental Health and Mental Disorders).