The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) grant program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA serves as the leading federal agency dedicated to reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness across communities nationwide. This grant reflects SAMHSA’s ongoing commitment to innovative, community-based treatment models that address serious mental health needs through structured interventions.
The primary purpose of the AOT program is to support the implementation of Assisted Outpatient Treatment within eligible communities. AOT is a court-ordered treatment for individuals with serious mental illness who meet state-specific criteria and have a history of nonadherence to treatment. The intent is to improve individual outcomes and reduce the incidence of psychiatric hospitalizations, homelessness, incarceration, and interactions with the justice system by providing ongoing, community-based treatment under judicial oversight.
This program seeks to support jurisdictions such as states, counties, cities, mental health systems, and courts that have the legal authority to oversee AOT programs. While the total estimated funding available through this opportunity is $10,000,000, individual award ceilings and floors have not yet been defined. Up to 16 awards are anticipated. No cost sharing or matching funds are required for applicants to be eligible for funding.
Funding can be used to initiate or expand AOT programs that align with evidence-based practices. Allowable costs may include staff salaries, training, outreach, coordination with judicial systems, data collection, and program evaluation. The award period and performance timelines have not yet been published, and there is no confirmed application deadline at this time. The estimated posting date for the funding opportunity is January 30, 2026.
Applications will be evaluated based on criteria published at the time of the full announcement. The official point of contact for this opportunity is David Barry, who can be reached at AOT@samhsa.hhs.gov or (240) 276-0116. As of the latest forecast update on December 10, 2025, the grant remains in forecast status and further details, including submission components and evaluation rubrics, are expected upon release of the full NOFO.
