Iowa’s Community Mental Health Services Block Grant

The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant is a federal program dedicated to improving mental health service systems across the county through formula grants awarded to states to provide mental health services to people with mental disorders.  Formula grants are noncompetitive state administered grants with award amounts calculated by a pre-determined “formula” based on population or other characteristics related to the purpose of the grant.  The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is the federal partner that provides funding to support existing public services in the state and encourages the development of creative and cost-effective systems of community-based care for people with serious mental disorders.

The federal funding to states is authorized by Part B of Title XIX of the Public Health Service Act (See 42 U.S.C. Section 300x-1).  Iowa receives about $3.7 million in federal mental health block grant funding each year.  In Iowa the use of the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant is determined by the Division of MHDS in accordance with CMHS regulations, state law and rules, and recommendations made by the Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council.
The Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council is a state policy-making body.  Its duties are:

• To review mental health plans developed by the state and make recommendations for modifications.
• To serve as an advocate for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disorder.
• To monitor, review, and evaluate at least once each year how mental health services in the state are allocated and whether they are adequate to meet the need.

In Iowa, the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant is used in three main areas that benefit adults, children, and youth:

• 70% of the funds go to Community Mental Health Centers and are used to support Evidenced Based Practices.
• 25% of the funds are made available for projects through a competitive bidding process. 
• 5% of the funds are used by the Division of MHDS to support administrative activities involved in the management and implementation of the block grant, including the salary of the staff person dedicated to management of the Block Grant, travel, and other activities.

For more information contact:

Mary Mohrhauser
Child & Youth Specialist
Iowa Department of Human Services
Hoover State Office Bldg. 5th Floor
Mental Health and Disabilities Services Division
Des Moines, IA  50319
Phone: 515-242-6845
e-mail: mmohrha@dhs.state.ia.us

Community Mental Health Services Block Grant

Contractors for Adults

Contractors for Children