Trauma-Informed Services in Schools

The Trauma-Informed Services in Schools program is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This federal initiative is authorized under Section 7134 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act and is designed to strengthen mental health infrastructure in educational settings. The program reflects SAMHSA’s broader strategic priorities to improve access to evidence-based mental health care, particularly for children and youth, and responds to increasing rates of mental health challenges among students nationwide. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to increase student access to evidence-based trauma support services and mental health care by fostering partnerships between school systems and local mental health service providers. Schools are positioned as critical access points for early identification, referral, and intervention. Applicants are expected to implement comprehensive, school-based trauma-informed systems that include screening, referral pathways, treatment services, and crisis response coordination, including integration with community resources such as the 988 crisis system. Funding supports the development and execution of several required activities. These include establishing partnerships with credentialed mental health providers, formalizing interagency agreements, implementing trauma-informed services within six months of award, delivering training to school staff, engaging families and communities, and developing a sustainability plan. Allowable activities may also include community-based service delivery, evaluation, technical assistance, and partnerships with early childhood or community organizations. Funds are primarily intended for direct service delivery, and services must begin within six months of award receipt. The program provides up to $970,000 per year per award for a project period of up to four years, with an estimated total program funding of approximately $5.99 million and about six awards anticipated. Annual continuation funding is contingent on performance, compliance, and availability of funds. Cost sharing is not required. However, funding is subject to strict federal restrictions, including prohibitions on certain activities such as racial preference-based programming, harm reduction initiatives, or policies inconsistent with federal law and executive orders. Eligibility is limited to specific educational and governmental entities, including State Education Agencies, Local Educational Agencies, Indian Tribes and Tribal Educational Agencies, Bureau of Indian Education schools, Regional Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Educational Organizations. Applicants must demonstrate experience and capacity to deliver behavioral health services and must include formal Letters of Commitment from partnering mental health providers. Prior recipients under specific earlier program cycles are ineligible to apply. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and eRA Commons and includes a project narrative, budget narrative, and multiple required attachments such as Letters of Commitment, project timeline, and data collection plans. Applications are evaluated through a merit review process based on criteria including need, implementation approach, evidence-based practices, organizational capacity, and data collection methods. The application deadline is July 16, 2026, with anticipated awards issued by September 1, 2026, and project start dates beginning September 30, 2026. Applicants must also comply with reporting requirements, including annual progress reports and performance data submission throughout the project period.

Ensure strong partnerships with credentialed mental health providers; clearly demonstrate evidence-based practices; align proposal with SAMHSA strategic priorities; provide measurable outcomes and detailed implementation timeline