Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program (PMHCA)

The Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program (PMHCA) is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. This federal initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of pediatric primary care providers to address the growing mental and behavioral health needs of children and youth. The program responds to widespread shortages in pediatric mental health specialists and aims to improve early identification, diagnosis, and treatment through integrated care models supported by teleconsultation and care coordination. The primary purpose of the PMHCA program is to improve access to pediatric mental health services by supporting the development or expansion of statewide or regional systems that connect primary care providers with behavioral health specialists. Funded programs are expected to deliver teleconsultation services, provider training, and care coordination support. These efforts are particularly focused on rural areas and communities experiencing shortages of health professionals. Recipients may establish new programs or enhance existing systems, provided they align with program goals of increasing screening, assessment, treatment, and referral for behavioral health conditions among children and youth. Funding under this opportunity is provided through cooperative agreements, with approximately $9,790,000 available for fiscal year 2026 and an anticipated 22 awards. Each award may provide up to $445,000 annually across five 12-month budget periods, resulting in a total performance period of five years. Award recipients are required to contribute a 20 percent non-federal match each year, which may include cash or in-kind contributions from a variety of sources such as partner organizations or community support. Certain U.S. territories may qualify for partial waivers of this requirement. Eligible applicants include a wide range of domestic public entities such as state, county, city, and tribal governments, as well as tribal organizations. Individuals are explicitly excluded. Applicants must demonstrate their eligibility through documentation and must not exceed funding ceilings or submit multiple applications. The application process requires registration in both SAM.gov and Grants.gov systems, submission of a complete application package through Grants.gov, and adherence to formatting and content requirements outlined in the funding notice. Applications are evaluated through a structured merit review process that considers need, response strategy, evaluation and performance measurement, impact, organizational capacity, and budget justification. Applicants must submit a detailed project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting attachments including work plans, staffing plans, and organizational charts. Evaluation criteria emphasize alignment with program goals, feasibility of implementation, strength of partnerships, and the ability to measure outcomes and sustain program activities beyond the funding period. Key dates for the opportunity include a notice of funding release on June 8, 2026, and a final application deadline of July 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Awards are expected to begin on September 30, 2026. The program operates on a five-year cycle, with ongoing reporting requirements including annual progress reports and performance data submission through federal systems. Applicants are encouraged to engage with program contacts for clarification and support throughout the application process.

Align proposal clearly with PMHCA goals; demonstrate strong statewide partnerships; emphasize measurable outcomes and evaluation; ensure budget aligns with activities and includes match documentation