Application Due Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021
SAMHSA is accepting applications for Rural Emergency Medical Services Training grants (EMS Training). The purpose of this program is to recruit and train emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in rural areas.
SAMHSA plans to issue approximately 27 awards of up to $200,000 for up to 1 year.
Application Due Date: Monday, April 19, 2021
SAMHSA is accepting applications for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) grants. The purpose of this program is to implement screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment services for children, adolescents, and/or adults in primary care and community health settings (e.g., health centers, hospital systems, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred-provider organizations (PPOs), Federally Qualified Health Care (FQHC) systems, behavioral health centers, pediatric health care providers, Children’s Hospitals, etc.) with a focus on screening for underage drinking, opioid use, and other substance use. These grants support clinically appropriate services for persons at risk (asymptomatic) for substance use disorder (SUD), as well as those diagnosed with SUD.
SAMHSA plans to issue approximately 10 awards of up to $995,000 per year for up to 5 years.
Application Due Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2021
SAMHSA is accepting applications for Provider’s Clinical Support System—Universities (PCSS-Universities) grants. The purpose of this program is to expand/enhance access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services for persons with an opioid use disorder (OUD) seeking or receiving MAT through ensuring the education and training of students in the medical, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner fields. This program’s focus is to ensure students fulfill the training requirements needed to obtain a DATA waiver to prescribe MAT in office-based settings.
SAMHSA plans to issue approximately 36 awards of up to $150,000 per year for up to 3 years.
SAMHSA is allowing flexibility for grant recipients affected by the loss of operational capacity and increased costs due to the COVID-19 crisis. These flexibilities are available during this emergency time period. Flexibility may be reassessed upon issuance of new guidance by the Office of Management and Budget post the emergency time period. Continue to check for updated information and resources to assist grant recipients during the COVID-19 emergency.
These FAQs address general questions associated with award and management of SAMHSA discretionary grants that may arise in relation to COVID-19. This information does not apply to SABG, MHBG, PATH, or PAIMI grants. Applicants and grant recipients are strongly encouraged to continue to check for updated information and resources.
Training and events are available for practitioners through SAMHSA’s Training and Technical Assistance Centers. Some of these are highlighted below. Visit
SAMHSA’s Practitioner Training webpage for a more complete listing.
SAMHSA Headlines offers you a biweekly update of selected upcoming trainings and webinars. However, for a broader range of activities, visit
this website, as well as the training sections of individual technical assistance center websites.
Selected events are highlighted below. Note that some of them require advance registration.
Note: If you are unable to access an event or webinar or have questions, please contact the source given at the individual event URL.
Friday, February 26, 2021 9:00 AM ET
The goal of this project is to provide a standardized set of trainings and supervisory supports to service providing organizations that will: 1) improve outcomes for patients who have co-occurring disorders; and 2) improve organizational outcomes, staff morale, and organizational efficiencies.
Friday, February 26, 2021 1:00 p.m. ET
This session will cover the challenges of meeting linguistic needs in mental health services with an emphasis on integrated systems of care. It will first discuss the scope of the problem of linguistic barriers to care. It will cover the importance of improving access to linguistically and culturally appropriate services and how that may function differently in various interpretation models. It will also provide concrete recommendations for working with interpreters.
Friday, February 26, 2021 12:00 p.m. ET
The Early First Episode Program at the University of New Mexico's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences provides multidisciplinary and recovery-oriented Coordinated Specialty Care to young adults experiencing a first episode of psychosis. Members of the Early team will present on best practices for (i) initial engagement, assessment, and family involvement, (ii) psychosocial interventions, and (iii) pharmacological treatment when working with Latinx youth experiencing psychosis for the first time. The presentation will be targeted for clinicians from across disciplines who may encounter this population in their daily work (Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatric PAs, PCPs, social workers, psychologists, school counselors, etc.).
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 11:30 a.m. ET
In this second presentation of the series, Dr. Anne Gregory will discuss "Strengthening relationships and repairing harm: A paradigm shift in school discipline practice and research.” Other presentations in this series include—
- April 7, 2021— Using a Racial Equity Theory of Change (RETOC) to Facilitate Collaboration Between University Researchers and a Community Based Organization;
- May 5, 2021— Indigenous Systems of Relationality: Designing for Transformative Agency in Indigenous Community Psychology;
- June 2, 2021—Culturally Responsive School Mental Health Interventions
Thursday, March 4, 2021 2:30 p.m. ET
This two-part, virtual learning series will provide practitioners with an approach for sustainability that includes focusing on maintaining positive outcomes, effective processes and interventions that work. Research on sustainability has identified securing resources, implementing effective processes, and building organizational and community capacity as necessary conditions for affecting positive and lasting community change. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss challenges to advancing sustainability efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic, and explore the role of partnerships in sustaining prevention efforts along with best practices for partner engagement. Session 2, Strategies for Prevention: Leveraging Partnerships for Sustainability (Peer-sharing), will take place on Thursday, March 11, 2021 2:30 p.m. ET.
Thursday, March 4, 2021 11:00 a.m. ET
It is important that clinical providers and community leaders be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of eating disorders to get more individuals the support they need and help reduce the stigma around eating disorders. Experts from Rock Recovery, a DC Metro area-based nonprofit that supports the journey to freedom from disordered eating through affordable clinical recovery and community empowerment programs, will lead this webinar series. This is the second webinar in this series for behavioral health care professionals, medical professionals, faith leaders and clergy, and community advocates. The third series webinar, Breaking through Shame—How Faith Communities Can Remove Mental Health Stigma and Support those with Eating Disorders, will take place on March 11, 2021.
Thursday, March 4, 2021 12:00 p.m. ET
This Clinical Roundtable for physicians and all interprofessional healthcare providers is designed to promote interactivity through an informal conversation. Attendees will be given the opportunity to speak directly with the presenter to ask questions and discuss issues.
Friday, March 5, 2021 12:00 p.m. ET
While the introduction of benzodiazepines was rightly welcomed given their enhanced safety profile relative to barbiturates, their use has come under increased scrutiny as evidence of potential risks has accumulated. In this activity, we will first review the epidemiology of benzodiazepine prescribing—to whom are they prescribed and why? Next, we will review the available evidence about both the risks associated with and evidence base supporting their use, including available evidence focused specifically on those with serious mental illness. Finally, we will consider the approach to de-prescribing a benzodiazepine when clinicians and patients have decided this is the appropriate course.
Monday, March 8, 2021 7:30 p.m. ET
This Virtual Native Talking Circle will be facilitated by a Native guest and will focus on concerns about yourself, your family, your work, and/or your tribal community that you may be experiencing during these uncertain times. There is no fee or expectation to participate in this event. This is a respectful meeting space. Come share your concerns, offer support, and respect the group’s privacy. Additional meetings take place on April 12 and May 10.
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 9:00 p.m. ET
This series of sessions features traditional Native American storytelling, along with time for discussion on what can be learned from the stories, as well as the ways these stories can be incorporated by Native American providers into their work with patients. Native storytelling is a long honored way of teaching lessons of life. Traditionally, the storyteller needed to be an excellent psychologist and able to understand peoples’ perspectives. A story might be used in treatment to help a patient come to a realization in a culturally informed way. Please note that while we encourage non-Native providers to attend these sessions to increase your cultural understanding and sensitivity, we ask that out of respect for cultural traditions, you do not use these stories as your own if they are not a part of your culture. Other sessions will take place April 13 and May 11.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 2:30 p.m. ET
Understanding trauma and its impact is crucial for providing effective care and services for people living with mental health challenges who are also likely to have histories of trauma exposure. This session will provide an overview of definitions, sources, types and the prevalence of trauma and explore its bio-psycho-social-spiritual-communal impact. We will also identify practical ways to make our services more trauma-informed.
Thursday, March 11, 2021 12:30 p.m. ET
This webinar will provide an overview of the school experiences of LGBTQ+ secondary school students. Presentations will include basic terminology on LGBTQ+ youth, such as the differences between gender identity and sexual orientation, and an overview of research on LGBTQ+ students’ school experiences nationally and in the Southeast, including hostile school climate indicators and LGBTQ+ related supportive school resources. LGBTQ+ youth will speak about their school experiences and the challenges they face. Part 2 of this webinar, Improving the School Experiences of LGBTQ+ students, will take place on March 18.
Saturday, March 13, 2021 10:00 a.m. ET
This 3.5 hour advanced medical interpreting course, designed for all language groups, will provide an overview of terminology and skills in delivering mental health interpretation services. This course will focus on common mental health disorders, treatment, medication management and practical skills in interpreting for either ambulatory or inpatient mental health patients. It will also offer the interpreter the opportunity to practice understanding terminology through the use of case scenarios.
Saturday, March 13, 2021 1:00 p.m. ET
As clinical practices incorporate telehealth services, many wonder how the business of telehealth works. Can you make a living working full-time online as a solo provider or a large practice? How is marketing for Telemental Health, practice management, and billing different than in-person services? What kinds of telehealth services are legal and ethical during COVID and after? Learn best practices, legal and ethical requirements for the practice of Telehealth.
A brochure for parents and caregivers about the risks associated with marijuana for teens and the importance of having conversations with their children to help them avoid substance use.
A brochure for parents and caregivers about the risks associated with vaping for teens and the importance of having conversations with their children to help them avoid substance use.
A brochure for parents and caregivers about the risks associated with misusing prescription pain medications for teens and the importance of having conversations with their children to help them avoid taking medication that is not theirs.
A mini brochure for parents and caregivers on the five goals to keep in mind when having conversations about alcohol and substance use with their teens.
This video shows how HBCUs, as well as other institutions that primarily serve students from a distinct background, region, or culture, can create prevention strategies to meet the unique needs of those students.
This discussion guide is a companion to the video of the same name that shows how HBCUs, as well as other institutions that primarily serve students from a distinct background, region, or culture, can create prevention strategies to meet the unique needs of those students.
This discussion guide is a companion to a video by the same name that highlights steps taken by the Frostburg State University community to reduce underage and high-risk drinking among the student population and discusses how these strategies were implemented.
We appreciate your feedback! Please send your questions, comments, and suggestions to the SAMHSA Headlines Team. You can call us at 1-877-SAMHSA-7, or email us at SAMHSAHeadlines@samhsa.hhs.gov. We look forward to hearing from you.
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