New SAMHSA grant: Resiliency in Communities after Stress and Trauma (ReCAST)

Here's information from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) about pre-application technical assistance for SAMHSA FOA No. SM-16-012.

Below is information about a series of webinars and conference calls for prospective applicants interested in applying for the Resiliency in Communities after Stress and Trauma grant program (ReCAST). Conference calls and webinars will be held on the dates and times listed below. Interested parties may participate by using the respective dial-in numbers, passcodes, and links.

The FOA is available on the SAMHSA website at http://www.samhsa.gov/grants. Additional materials you will need to complete your application can be found at http://www.grants.gov or http://www.samhsa.gov/grants/applying.

WEBINARS

CONFERENCE CALLS

SUMMARY: SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), is accepting applications for the FY 2016 Resiliency in Communities after Stress and Trauma (ReCAST) grant program. The purpose of this program is to assist high-risk youth and families and promote resilience and equity in communities that have recently faced civil unrest through implementation of evidence-based, violence prevention, and community youth engagement programs, as well as linkages to trauma-informed behavioral health services. The goal is for local community entities to work together in ways that lead to improved behavioral health, empowered community residents, and reductions in trauma, and sustained community change. For the purposes of this FOA, civil unrest is defined as demonstrations of mass protest and mobilization, community harm, and disruption through violence often connected with law enforcement issues. Communities that have experienced civil unrest share similar characteristics:

• Barriers to access and lack of social services, health care, legal and political representation, housing, employment, and education.
• Current and historic strains in community and public sector relationships, e.g., law enforcement, school, health, and/or housing and community relationships.
• Racial/ethnic minority and marginalized populations with experiences of poverty and inequality.

Program goals include the following:

• Building a foundation to promote well-being, resiliency, and community healing through community-based, participatory approaches;
• Creating more equitable access to trauma-informed community behavioral health resources;
• Strengthening the integration of behavioral health services and other community systems to address the social determinants of health, recognizing that factors, such as law enforcement practices, transportation, employment, and housing policies, can contribute to health outcomes;
• Creating community change through community-based, participatory approaches that promote community and youth engagement, leadership development, improved governance, and capacity building; and
• Ensuring that program services are culturally specific and developmentally appropriate.

SAMHSA will prioritize funding grants from communities that have formed partnerships between key stakeholders including state and local governments (including multiple cities and counties if impacted); public or private universities and colleges; and non-profit community and faith-based organizations. Applications that include a signed Statement of Assurance which confirms established partnerships with key partners will be given an additional 5 points.

Further, SAMHSA is and will continue to coordinate extensively with the Department of Education in the administration of the ReCAST program. Applications that include a signed Statement of Assurance from the applicant that they have consulted with the local education agency (LEA) and confirmed its intent to apply for the Department of Education’s “Promoting Student Resilience” grant program will be given an additional 5 points.

FUNDING: Approximately $10 million is available to fund up to 11 grants for up to $1 million per year for up to 5 years.

WHO CAN APPLY: Local municipalities (e.g., counties, cities, and local governments) in partnership with community-based organizations that have faced civil unrest within the past 24 months.

APPLICATION DUE DATE: June 7, 2016

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Applicants with questions on program issues should contact ReCAST staff via e-mail at RECAST@SAMHSA.HHS.GOV