Public Law 102-321 establishes the Federal Block Grant for Mental Health Services. This federal funding program is administered by the Center for Mental Health Services, a division of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Each year, the Michigan Department of Community Health applies for an award under this program and currently receives an annual grant of approximately $13 million. Of this amount, approximately $4 million is allocated for mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbance and their families.

The federal statute establishing this program requires the funds to be expended through the state's public mental health system. Through individual block grant contracts with community mental health services programs, these resources are focused on development and maintenance of community based services. For children, the block grant is used primarily to support wraparound, juvenile justice screening, assessment and diversion services and other services that help to build the system of care for children with SED and their families.

Contact: Sheri Falvay (517) 241-5762, falvay@michigan.gov or Jennifer Stentoumis (517) 335-6258 or stentoumisj@michigan.gov