Behavioral Health Partnerships for Early Diversion of Adults and Youth

The Behavioral Health Partnerships for Early Diversion of Adults and Youth grant, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aims to support communities in developing and implementing diversion programs. These programs are designed to redirect adults and youth with mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorders away from the criminal or juvenile justice system and into appropriate behavioral health services prior to arrest and booking. This initiative reflects a broader federal commitment to addressing the intersection of behavioral health and the justice system through early intervention strategies. The grant falls under Assistance Listing 93.532, which includes Projects of Regional and National Significance supported by the Center for Mental Health Services. The goal is to build infrastructure at the state, local, and tribal levels to facilitate these diversions. Emphasis is placed on reducing reliance on incarceration and promoting recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approaches that address the complex needs of individuals at risk of justice involvement due to behavioral health issues. Applicants eligible for this funding include states and U.S. territories, political subdivisions of states, federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and health facilities or programs operating under contracts or awards with the Indian Health Service. The eligibility structure is inclusive of a wide range of public entities, acknowledging the multi-jurisdictional nature of behavioral health and justice collaboration efforts. While the grant forecast does not detail specific submission mechanics or application components, it does state a projected post date of May 15, 2026. Key contact for the program is Gregory Crawford, who can be reached at 240-276-2754 or via email at [email protected]. As of the forecast date, no estimated application due date or project start date is available, nor are award floor or ceiling amounts specified. The total estimated program funding for the 2026 fiscal year is $5,797,316, with approximately 17 awards expected. A matching or cost-sharing requirement is confirmed, though the specific amount or ratio has not been disclosed. Interested applicants should monitor the Grants.gov listing for updates, particularly the official NOFO expected around mid-May, which will clarify the full application procedures, deadlines, and evaluation criteria. This grant is likely to recur on an annual basis given the program's infrastructure and policy objectives, though no explicit recurrence schedule is stated. Stakeholders are advised to prepare for upcoming cycles by establishing cross-sector partnerships, assessing existing diversion programs, and building capacity to submit competitive proposals aligned with SAMHSA’s strategic priorities.