Opportunity Information: Apply for SM 18 009
The Mental Health Awareness Training Grants (MHAT) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SM-18-009) was a discretionary grant program offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), specifically the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), for fiscal year 2018. It focused on expanding practical, frontline mental health awareness skills in everyday community settings and public safety environments, with an emphasis on recognizing and responding to serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED). The overall intent was to make earlier identification and safer, more appropriate responses more common wherever people in crisis are likely to encounter helpers first, such as schools, emergency response systems, and law enforcement.
At its core, the program aimed to fund training efforts that help a wide range of community members and professionals recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders. The opportunity highlighted groups such as school personnel, emergency first responders, and law enforcement, as well as veterans, armed services members, and their families. The training focus was not limited to general awareness; it specifically sought to build the ability to notice warning signs, understand when a situation may involve SMI or SED, and respond in ways that reduce harm and increase the likelihood that the person gets connected to appropriate care rather than falling through the cracks.
A major required component was building or strengthening linkages between trainees (for example, staff in schools or public safety agencies) and school-based and/or community-based mental health agencies. The idea was that training should not end with recognition alone. Grant-supported projects were expected to put real referral pathways in place so that when someone shows signs or symptoms of a mental health condition, there is a clear and workable process to connect them to assessment, treatment, or supportive services. In practical terms, this typically means partnerships, formal agreements or protocols, and clear guidance so trainees know who to call, where to refer, and how to follow up.
Another key emphasis was on preparing emergency services personnel and other frontline responders to identify individuals who may have a mental disorder and to use crisis de-escalation techniques. This reflects a public safety and public health goal: improving on-the-scene interactions so that encounters involving mental health crises are handled more safely and effectively for everyone involved. The opportunity explicitly referenced groups such as law enforcement and fire department personnel, along with veterans and emergency services staff, underscoring that the grant was meant to reach beyond clinical settings and into the places where crises often first become visible.
The program also prioritized educating trainees and communities about available local resources for individuals with mental disorders. This includes increasing awareness of what services exist, how to access them, and what to do in urgent situations. By combining recognition, de-escalation, and resource navigation, the program was designed to create a more informed and prepared network of helpers who can respond appropriately and safely, particularly when someone is experiencing symptoms consistent with SMI or SED.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was listed under CFDA number 93.243 (a federal assistance listing tied to mental health services and related initiatives). The grant mechanism was a standard grant funding instrument within the health funding activity category. SAMHSA anticipated making about 126 awards, with an award ceiling of $125,000 per award. The opportunity was created on April 9, 2018, with an original application closing date of June 8, 2018. Eligibility was broadly described as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, indicating the program likely allowed a range of entity types to apply depending on the specific eligibility rules laid out in the notice.
In plain terms, MHAT was a training-and-systems-connection grant: it supported projects that teach people how to spot mental health warning signs, respond in a safer and calmer way during crises, and connect individuals to real services through established partnerships. The expected outcome was better-prepared schools, first responders, and community members, leading to earlier identification of mental health needs and more effective, safer responses for individuals living with serious mental health conditions.Apply for SM 18 009
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mental Health Awareness Training Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.243.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 09, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 08, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $125,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 126 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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| PPHF2018-National Organization for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion-financed in part by 2018 Prevention and Public Health Funds Apply for CDC RFA DP18 1814 Funding Number: CDC RFA DP18 1814 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - NCCDPHP Category: Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Limited Competition: Interaction of HIV Infection and Alcohol Abuse on Central Nervous System Morbidity (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AA 18 011 Funding Number: RFA AA 18 011 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| FY18 Announcement of Availability of Funds for Phase I Replicating Programs (Tier 1) Effective in the Promotion of Healthy Adolescence and the Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy and Associated Risk Behaviors Apply for AH TP1 18 001 Funding Number: AH TP1 18 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY18 Announcement of the Availability of Funds for Phase I New and Innovative Strategies (Tier 2) to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy and Promote Healthy Adolescence Apply for AH TP2 18 001 Funding Number: AH TP2 18 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $375,000 |
| NIH Director's Pioneer Award (DP1 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA RM 18 007 Funding Number: RFA RM 18 007 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Tribal Behavioral Health Grant Program (Short Title: Native Connections) Apply for SM 18 017 Funding Number: SM 18 017 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Going the Last Mile for HIV Contrl Apply for 72061318RFA00002 Funding Number: 72061318RFA00002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Zimbabwe USAID-Harare Category: Health Funding Amount: $95,000,000 |
| Newborn Screening New Condition Implementation: Capacity Building and Quality Improvement through Data Harmonization Apply for CDC RFA EH18 1804 Funding Number: CDC RFA EH18 1804 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - NCEH Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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