Since 2015, when Senator McConnell became Majority Leader, nearly $540 million has been appropriated to address the prescription opioid abuse and heroin epidemic, more than double the funding in recent years for opioid-related issues. Most recently, the 21st Century Cures legislation provided $1 billion to states to combat the opioid epidemic through fiscal year 2018. As community health centers, local law enforcement offices, and other organizations in your community develop projects to address substance abuse, you may like to explore some of the grant opportunities offered through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONCDP), and Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP). If you wish to broaden your search you may investigate competitive federal grant opportunities by visiting www.grants.gov or www.cfda.gov.
Grant Programs Authorized by CARA, Subject to Appropriations
Funding and Grant Information
Authorization bills, such as CARA, put in place federal policy. Appropriations bills then typically provide funds for those policies. CARA authorized the following grants, which are dependent on appropriations:
Grant Program |
Agency |
| Community-based coalition enhancement grants to address local drug crisis | ONDCP |
| Improving access to overdose treatment | SAMHSA |
| National All Schedules Electronic Reporting reauthorization | HHS |
| Opioid Overdose reversal mediation access and education grant programs | HHS |
| Building communities of recovery | SAMHSA HHS |
| State demonstration grants for comprehensive opioid abuse response | HHS |
| First responder training | SAMHSA |
| Improving treatment for pregnant and postpartum women | SAMHSA |
| Evidence-based prescription opioid and heroin treatment and interventions demonstration | SAMHSA |
| Comprehensive opioid abuse grant program | DOJ |
| Veterans Treatment Courts | DOJ |
