National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative - Community Treatment and Service Centers (CTS)

The National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative - Community Treatment and Service Centers program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This federal initiative is part of a broader national effort to address the behavioral health needs of children and youth who have experienced traumatic events. The program operates under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance and is designed to strengthen systems of care and expand access to trauma-informed services nationwide. The primary purpose of this program is to create and operate Community Treatment and Service Centers that improve access to effective, evidence-based trauma treatment for children and adolescents. These centers are expected to serve youth who have been impacted by a wide range of traumatic experiences, including abuse, neglect, violence, disasters, and other adverse events. The initiative emphasizes both direct clinical services and the development of community-based systems that can sustainably support trauma-informed care delivery. Funding provided through this opportunity supports the establishment, expansion, and operation of treatment centers that deliver trauma-focused interventions. Allowable uses of funds include staffing, clinical services, training, outreach, and coordination with community partners. The program is intended to build local capacity while contributing to a national network of providers focused on child traumatic stress. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement specified, which lowers financial barriers for eligible applicants. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities. This includes a broad range of organizations such as nonprofit service providers, healthcare organizations, and community-based agencies that have the capacity to deliver behavioral health services to children and youth. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to implement trauma-informed approaches and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in their service areas. The application process is expected to follow standard federal grant submission procedures through Grants.gov once the opportunity is officially posted. While specific application components are not yet detailed in the forecast, applicants can anticipate requirements such as program narratives, budgets, and organizational capacity documentation. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on the applicant’s ability to deliver effective trauma treatment services, reach underserved populations, and contribute to system-level improvements. As of the current forecast, the opportunity has an estimated post date of late May 2026, with application deadlines and award timelines not yet specified. The program anticipates issuing approximately 67 awards with a total estimated funding pool exceeding 40 million dollars. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor the official posting for full details, including submission deadlines, review criteria, and project start dates. For additional information, applicants may contact the program representative via phone or email as provided in the opportunity listing.