Carson City December 22, 2021
The Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), Bureau of Behavioral Health Wellness and Prevention (BHWP) will be providing more than $30 million in grant funds to support behavioral health services ranging from prevention to direct treatment and recovery supports. The $30 million in available grant funding was received from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration as part of a federal appropriation of COVID-19 funding and the American Rescue Plan Act. In total, Nevada was awarded $53 million in federal supplemental funding for behavioral health services. The $30 million in grant funding allocated to community behavioral health services signifies the initial investment from the overall appropriation.
With recent public health challenges brought on by COVID-19, Nevada has seen an increased need for a more unified approach for preventing and managing behavioral health crises. Nationally, there has been an increase in individuals who have reported experiencing nervousness, depression, loneliness, and hopelessness. The economic impacts of COVID-19 have led to lost wages, lay-offs, housing insecurity, and more. These effects on the population continue to contribute to an increased vulnerability in risk factors for behavioral health issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, suicide, and overdose. The children’s behavioral health crisis continues to escalate, further straining Nevada’s existing behavioral health system with higher rates of children and families in crisis, suicide attempts, depression, and anxiety.
“The pandemic has had a devastating impact around the world, across the country, and here in Nevada. We must take action to ensure that every Nevadan has access to critical resources to support their behavioral health, wellness, and recovery.” said Dr. Stephanie Woodard, DHHS Senior Advisor on Behavioral Health. “The available funding prioritizes behavioral health as an essential component of overall health and encourages local solutions to be developed to meet the unique needs of each community. This is our chance to build stronger, healthier communities across the state and, ultimately, to save lives.”
BHWP is soliciting applications from organizations, providers, public or governmental agencies, private practices or associations, tribal organizations, limited liability partnerships, sole-providers, and non-profit providers.
Grant funded programs include mobile crisis, crisis stabilization, suicide prevention, support for students, teachers, and parents, workforce development, and community-based mental health and addiction services.
The deadline to apply for the funding has been extended to January 31, 2022. For information on the application process and the Notice of Funding Opportunity in Nevada visit the program website.