How States Leverage Federal Dollars to Expand Crisis Services-Part 2: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services...

States and provider agencies have leveraged Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) dollars in several ways to improve crisis services: SAMHSA's Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and 5% set-aside for crisis services, Cooperative Agreements for Innovative Community Crisis Response Partnerships (in fiscal years 2022-2024), and planning and expansion grants for certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs). The authors recommend that Congress increase SAMHSA's funding to further support states (e.g., increasing the 5% set-aside to a minimum of 10%), that SAMHSA provide additional funding opportunities that prioritize sustainability of crisis services, and that state mental health agencies ensure optimal distribution or coverage of CCBHCs.