April 21, 2021

This morning I sent all members a reminder about the SAMHSA CMHC Grant we first shared with everyone on April 7.  I added some information to my note regarding what SAMHSA had previously told me about the documentation the applicant provider needs to send to SAMHSA (along with the application).  Specifically, when I spoke to SAMHSA about 10 days ago, Asha Stanley told me it would be sufficient for the applicant to send along a copy of the license/s or operating certificate/s for each of the required programs/services, to prove eligibility based on the criteria in 1915 (c).

But this afternoon a NYS Council member agency wrote to me stating that when they wrote to SAMHSA about this issue earlier today, the response from SAMHSA was different than what I had previously received.  The SAMHSA representative they spoke with told them that the agency will need a letter from the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) verifying that the applicant/agency meets the criteria.  

I have reached out to Moira Tashjian (Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner at OMH) and requested that she let me know how the Office plans to proceed.  I will push hard for a response from SOMH that is quick and favorable.  I do understand that ANY/ALL SAMHSA grant applications are enormous undertakings.  As such, my goal is to get an answer from SOMH as soon as possible so everyone has maximum time to prep their application. Stand by.

*If you want to get in touch with the contact at SAMHSA, here’s her information (below). I strongly suggest that you communicate with her via email and save all correspondence. 

Asha Stanly
Public Health Advisor
Division of State and Community Systems Development (DSCSD)
Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
5600 Fishers Lane, 14E21B,  Rockville, MD 20852
(: (240) 276-1845  *:  asha.stanly@samhsa.hhs.gov