Behavioral Health Partnerships for Early Diversion of Adults and Youth
🏛 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis (HHS-SAMHS-SAMHSA)
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations seeking to establish or expand partnerships that divert individuals from the criminal justice system through behavioral health interventions. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local and state government agencies, tribal organizations, and community-based organizations with demonstrated capacity to serve both adults and youth with mental health or substance use disorders. The program supports geographically dispersed projects across the United States, prioritizing underserved rural and urban communities. Funded activities include developing or expanding early diversion programs, creating cross-system partnerships between law enforcement and behavioral health providers, providing training and technical assistance, and implementing evidence-based screening and intervention protocols. Geographic scope is nationwide, with consideration for regional capacity gaps.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Program description
The purpose of this program is to develop and implement infrastructure that supports programs that divert adults and/or youth with a mental illness or a co-occurring substance use disorder from the criminal and/or juvenile justice systems prior to arrest and booking.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- State Government
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and SF-424 Supplement
- Project Narrative (typically 15–20 pages) describing needs assessment, goals, objectives, and implementation plan
- Detailed project budget and budget narrative (SF-424 or alternate form as specified in NOFO)
- Letters of commitment or support from law enforcement, courts, prosecutor offices, and behavioral health service providers
- Organization's IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or proof of government entity status
- Audited financial statements (most recent fiscal year) or 990 Form
- Documentation of organizational capacity (staff qualifications, prior federal grant management experience)
- Evaluation plan with specific outcome metrics and data collection methods
- Organizational policies on civil rights, nondiscrimination, and HIPAA compliance
Program contact
- 👤 Gregory Crawford
- 📧 earlydiversionmailbox@samhsa.hhs.gov
- 📞 240-276-2754
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 93.532 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.532). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2026 est. | $945,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include state and local government agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, community health centers, tribal organizations, and other public entities with demonstrated experience managing federal funds and serving individuals involved in or at risk of criminal justice involvement.
What types of activities does this grant support?
The grant supports development and expansion of early diversion programs, cross-sector partnerships between criminal justice and behavioral health systems, staff training, implementation of screening tools, intervention protocols, and data collection systems to track diversion outcomes.
Is there a deadline mentioned for this grant cycle?
The application opens on March 20, 2026. A specific deadline date was not provided, but SAMHSA grants typically have deadline dates announced on Grants.gov and in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
How competitive is this funding?
This is a moderately competitive federal grant. Success typically requires strong evidence of organizational capacity, partnerships with both behavioral health and criminal justice stakeholders, preliminary outcome data, and clear implementation plans.
What is the typical funding range?
SAMHSA grants in this category typically range from $250,000 to $500,000 annually, though actual amounts vary by program year and number of awards. Review the detailed NOFO for current funding levels.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build your partnerships early: Begin convening law enforcement agencies, prosecutor offices, courts, and behavioral health providers before submitting your application. Letters of commitment from key stakeholders significantly strengthen competitiveness.
- Demonstrate clear diversion pathways: Clearly articulate how individuals identified by law enforcement will be screened, assessed, and connected to appropriate behavioral health services rather than proceeding through criminal prosecution.
- Use data to tell your story: Include local data on arrest patterns, emergency department visits, and incarceration rates for people with behavioral health conditions. Show how your intervention will address specific gaps.
- Address equity and access: Explicitly explain how your program will serve diverse populations, including people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and those with co-occurring disorders. Include culturally competent service strategies.
- Focus on sustainability: Describe your plan for maintaining partnerships and programs beyond the grant period, including leveraging Medicaid, state mental health funding, or other revenue streams.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack genuine buy-in from law enforcement or criminal justice partners—letters of support alone are insufficient; partnerships must show concrete operational commitments. Another common issue is vague or poorly defined diversion protocols without clear decision points, screening criteria, or behavioral health service pathways. Additionally, organizations underestimate the importance of realistic staffing and budget justification; overly lean budgets or unrealistic timelines for partnership development raise red flags for reviewers.
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