The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration has published two new funding opportunity announcements related to the Project AWARE and Mental Health First Aid initiative enacted by Congress in the 2014 budget. The National Council encourages our member organizations and local Mental Health First Aid instructors to collaborate with state and local education agencies to submit a grant application.
From the funding announcements:
Project AWARE – State Education Agency Grants
The purpose of this five year program is to build upon the successful strategies of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative that, for over a decade, have proven to be successful in creating safe and secure schools and promoting the mental health of students in communities across the country. It will build and expand the capacity of State Education Agencies to increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth; training for school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth to detect and respond to mental health issues in children and young adults (Mental Health First Aid or Youth Mental Health First Aid); and connect children, youth and families who may have behavioral health issues with appropriate services. The FOA will provide a total of $38.8 million to support approximately 20 grants at up to $1.9 million each year. Applications are due June 16, 2014.
Project AWARE – Local Education Agency Grants
The purpose of this two year program is to assist Local Education Agencies to support the training of school personnel and other adults who interact with youth in both school settings and local communities to detect and respond to mental illness in children and youth, including how to encourage adolescents and their families experiencing these problems to seek treatment. Individuals will be trained in Mental Health First Aid or Youth Mental Health First Aid. The FOA will provide a total of $9.4 million to support approximately 100 awards at up to $50,000 each year. Applications are due June 16, 2014.
