Amata Welcomes Over $561,000 in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Grants

Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata welcomed two grants totaling $561,010 in supplemental funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, passed by Congress earlier this year and signed into law in March.

These grants, each an identical $280,505, are for the American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

SAMHSA notified Congresswoman Amata this week of one grant from the 2021 Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) program, and one from the 2021 Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program.

"Congratulations to Director Muavaefa'atasi John E. Suisala, and everyone taking part in this effort," said Congresswoman Amata. "Federal finds like these help our communities have necessary programs and services that would otherwise be unaffordable locally, especially in these important health areas of mental and substance abuse services."

The MHBG program enables states and territories to provide comprehensive community mental health services, and address needs and gaps in existing treatment services for serious mental illness.

The SABG program helps states and territories plan, implement and evaluate activities to prevent, treat and help more people recover from substance use disorder, including investments in existing prevention, treatment and recovery infrastructure, support for providers, or unique local needs to deliver services.

SAMHSA, led by Acting Assistant Secretary for Mental Health Tom Coderre, is within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Xavier Becarra.