The MHBG is allocated from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide community-based mental health services to adults with Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI), children with Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED), and individuals with Early Serious Mental Illness including First Episode of Psychosis (ESMI/FEP). The MHBG is also utilized to monitor progress in implementing a comprehensive, community based mental health system. Funds are allocated to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and 6 Pacific jurisdictions to supplement Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance services.
MHBG funds are used to provide services in accordance with AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual (AMPM) 300-2B and AMPM 320-T1 to ensure that qualifying individuals have access to a comprehensive system of care, including employment, housing, case management, rehabilitation, and health services in addition to mental health services and supports.
Adults designated with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) including individuals age 18 and older who have a diagnosable behavioral, mental, or emotional condition as defined by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders and the symptoms of this condition substantially interferes with, or limits, one or more major life activities, such as:
Children designated with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) Includes individuals from birth until the age of 18 who currently meet or at any time during the past year have had a diagnosable mental or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified within the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that resulted in functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits the child’s role or functioning in family, school, or community activities.
Early Serious Mental Illness including First Episode Psychosis (ESMI/FEP) SAMHSA mandates a 10% set aside of all MHBG funding to support Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI)/First Episode of Psychosis (FEP). Individuals experiencing a first onset of serious mental illness which can include a first episode of psychosis may manifest as symptoms that include problems in perception, thinking, mood and social functioning. An individual may be early in the course of a psychotic illness or treatment irrespective of being in the midst of a first ‘episode’ of illness.
Crisis Services The MHBG 5% set aside for crisis services is to support an evidence-based crisis system.
SAMHSA Requirements AHCCCS is the designated unit of the executive branch that is responsible for administering the MHBG. SAMHSA expects block grant recipients to satisfy the following performance requirements:
A mental health/behavioral health planning council ensures collaboration among key state agencies and facilitates member input into the state’s mental health services and activities. The majority (51% or more) of a state’s planning council should be comprised of members and family members.
The council is required to:
This planning council provides input on the mental health plan submitted to SAMHSA. The Behavioral Health Planning Council (BHPC) meetings are open to the public. Please find meeting information including meeting agendas and notes on the AHCCCS Behavioral Health Planning Council website.
For additional questions please contact the grantsmanagement@azahcccs.gov email address.
