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SAMHSA Grant Writing Workshop

Learn how to write successful grant proposals for SAMHSA's funding programs focused on mental health and substance abuse services. Discover SAMHSA's funding priorities and strategic initiatives. Get tips on application preparation and planning.

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SAMHSA Grant Writing Workshop

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  1. Grant WritingWorkshop David Shillcutt, J.D. 240-276-1020 David.Shillcutt@samhsa.hhs.gov

  2. SAMHSA’s Funding Priorities • SAMHSA’s grant programs are focused on improving the quality and availability of mental health services and substance abuse prevention and treatment services nationwide • For an overview of SAMHSA’s eight Strategic Initiatives, please see our strategic plan, “Leading Change,” available at www.samhsa.gov/about

  3. Center for Mental Health Services • Expand the availability and accessibility of high-quality, community-based services for adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances • Mental Health Services Block Grant • Discretionary grant programs

  4. Center for Mental Health Services • System of Care Expansion Implementation Cooperative Agreements • National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative - Category II: Treatment and Service Adaptation Centers

  5. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention • Improve the quality of substance abuse prevention practices in communities nationwide • Discretionary grant programs provide States, communities, organizations, and families with tools to promote protective factors and to reduce risk factors for substance abuse

  6. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention • Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success II • Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act Grants (STOP Act) • Drug Free Communities

  7. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment • Promote the quality and availability of community-based substance abuse treatment services for individuals and families • Substance Abuse Treatment (SABG) Block Grant Program • Discretionary grant programs • http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/ or 1-800-662-HELP

  8. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment • FY 2012 Supplements for Rapid HIV Testing • Grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity In Adult and Family Drug Courts • Addiction Technology Transfer Centers

  9. Availability and Timing • Some grants are available each year for several years • Other Requests for Applications (RFAs) are posted only in fiscal years when Congress appropriates funds for the program • Follow the development of the federal budget, and watch for increases or cuts to line items that are relevant to your work

  10. Availability and Timing • Some grants are awarded for a multiple year period • Funds for subsequent years are distributed on an annual basis as non-competing Continuation Awards

  11. Availability and Timing • RFAs are posted throughout the fiscal year • Deadlines vary, but are usually 30-60 days from posting. Application receipt dates are included in every RFA.

  12. Availability and Timing • The best way to find out what grants are available at any given time is to check our website, http://www.samhsa.gov/grants/ • Sign up on www.grants.gov to be notified whenever a new SAMHSA grant is posted.

  13. Review Process • Applications are assigned to committees of three or more reviewers • Applications are screened for compliance with specific application requirements • Each application is considered and scored only in accordance with the Request for Applications (RFA) and its published review criteria

  14. Review Process • Only what is actually written in the application can be considered • Reviewers assess the quality of your response to the evaluation criteria found in the project narrative of the funding announcement • Reviewers assign points for each section of the project narrative

  15. Review Process • All expenditures must be adequately justified, but the budget is not a merit issue and does not have a part in determining the score of an application • If the award meets a defined threshold of $150,000 or more, the Center’s National Advisory Council will perform a second level of review

  16. Review Process • A summary statement is sent to every applicant to summarize the reviewers’ assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the application • May also include comments on budget and participant protection issues

  17. Review Process • Reviewers are chosen for their experience and expertise in the relevant field • Review groups represent geographic, gender, and ethnic diversity, especially with regard to the specific population targeted by the grant • Standards to avoid conflict of interest are strictly followed

  18. Preparation and Planning • Given the short turn-around of many RFA postings, it is essential to begin your planning process early • Set up an alert on www.grants.gov to notify you of newly-announced grants in your field • Sign up for SAMHSA’s newsletter • Visit www.samhsa.gov/grants/ regularly

  19. Preparation and Planning • Anticipate and pre-plan—don’t wait until the announcement is published • Find out what requirements are likely to apply to your application by reading previous RFAs for your grant program or similar ones

  20. Preparation and Planning • Read the grant application manuals (available on our website) and required Federal forms • Begin gathering relevant data • Obtain licenses, certifications, assurances, and letters of support you will need

  21. Preparation and Planning • Develop partnerships to strengthen your application • Some grants require certain types of partnerships as a condition of eligibility • Other grant applications ask you to discuss partnerships to show community understanding and involvement

  22. Pitfalls to Avoid • Read the instructions in the RFA very carefully and follow them to the letter • Familiarize yourself with all screenout requirements • Read SAMHSA’s materials on cultural competence carefully and ensure that they are fully incorporated into your proposal • Build time into your schedule for an independent review of your application

  23. Additional Resources • www.samhsa.gov/grants/ • Technical Assistance Manual • Formatting requirements • SAMHSA grant application forms • Single State Agencies directory • Guidelines for assessing cultural competence • Guidelines for consumer and family participation

  24. Additional Resources • National Registry of Effective Programs and Practices (NREPP) • Data sources to guide your grant application (DAWN, NSDUH, etc.) • Webinars with specific guidance for currently-available grants • 1-877-SAMHSA7 • store.samhsa.gov

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