The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting grant applications, from eligible state and local health departments, for up to $40.25 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative-Targeted Capacity Expansion (MAI-TCE) grant program. These grants will facilitate the development and expansion of culturally competent and effective integrated behavioral health and primary care networks, which include HIV services and medical treatment, within racial and ethnic minority communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS. This grant program supports the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and the Health and Human Services (HHS) 12 Cities Project. The HHS-wide project supports and accelerates comprehensive HIV/AIDS planning and cross-agency response in 12 U.S. jurisdictions that bear the highest AIDS burden in the country. Also, this grant program is a part of SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiative on Health Reform — one of eight strategic initiatives (http://www.samhsa.gov). The expected outcomes for the program include reducing the impact of behavioral health problems, HIV risk and incidence, and HIV-related health disparities in these areas. Twelve designated public health departments working with community partners may receive up to $1.5 million per year for up to 3 years for a total of $13.416 million per year. Actual amounts may vary, depending on the availability of funds and the performance of the grantees. WHO CAN APPLY: Eligible applicants are the following State and local health departments in the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) and Metropolitan Divisions (MD) that received grants in Phase I of CDC’s project, “Enhanced Comprehensive HIV Prevention Planning (ECHPP) and Implementation for Metropolitan Statistical Areas Most Affected by HIV/AIDS” : New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Los Angeles County Public Health Department, District of Columbia Department of Health, Chicago Department of Public Health, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Florida State Department of Health, City of Philadelphia Public Health Department, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, San Francisco Department of Public Health, Maryland State Department of Health, Texas State Department of Health Services, and Puerto Rico Department of Health. HOW TO APPLY: Applications for MAI-TCE grants are available by calling SAMHSA at 1-877-SAMHSA7 [TDD: 1-800-487-4889] or by downloading the application from the SAMHSA Web site at http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2011/SM_11_006.aspx. APPLICATION DUE DATE: June 13, 2011. Applications must be received by the due date to be considered for review. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For questions about program issues contact Ilze L. Ruditis, MSW, ACSW at [email protected], (240) 276-1777 or David C. Thompson, [email protected], (240) 276-1623. For information on grants management and budget issues contact Gwendolyn Simpson at [email protected], (240) 276-1408 or Love Foster-Horton at [email protected], (240)-276-1653. SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

RELATED NEWS:    http://www.samhsa.gov/samhsanewsletter/Volume_18_Number_5/ConferenceFocusHIVAIDS.aspx

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