SAMHSA Grants: Cooperative Agreements for Tribal Behavioral Health (Short Title: Native Connections)

Tribal organization means the recognized body of any AI/AN tribe; any legally established organization of AI/ANs which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of AI/ANs in all phases of its activities. Consortia of tribes or tribal organizations are eligible to apply, but each participating entity must indicate its approval. A single tribe in the consortium must be the legal applicant, the recipient of the award, and the entity legally responsible for satisfying the grant requirements.

Urban Indian Organization (UIO) (as identified by the Office of Indian Health Service Urban Indian Health Programs through active Title V grants/contracts) means a non-profit corporate body situated in an urban center governed by an urban Indian-controlled board of directors, and providing for the maximum participation of all interested individuals and groups, which body is capable of legally cooperating with other public and private entities for the purpose of performing the activities described in 25 U.S.C.1653(a). UIOs are not tribes or tribal governments and do not have the same consultation rights or trust relationship with the federal government.

The purpose of this program is to address trauma, prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance use among AI/AN young people; therefore, SAMHSA is limiting eligibility to AI/AN tribes, tribal organizations, consortia of tribes or tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations.

Grantees that received an award under the Cooperative Agreements for Tribal Behavioral Health (Native Connections) FOA # SM-16-010 and SM-14-013 are not eligible to apply in order to broaden the reach in AI/AN tribes, tribal organizations, consortia of tribes or tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. Only one application per applicant will be accepted and reviewed.

The goals of this program fall within two of SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiatives: Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, and Trauma and Justice. This program will help grantees reduce the impact of mental and substance use disorders and will foster culturally responsive models to reduce and respond to the impact of trauma on AI/AN communities through a public health approach. In addition, this grant will allow AI/AN communities to support youth and young adults as they transition into adulthood by facilitating collaboration among agencies.
Native Connections grants are authorized under 520A and 516 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Mental Health and Mental Disorders Topic Area HP 2020-MHMD and/or Substance Abuse Topic Area HP 2020-SA.