Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Grants (Short Title: SBIRT) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): SBIRT Grant Opportunity (TI 16 007)

1) What is the SBIRT grant opportunity (TI 16 007)?

The Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: TI 16 007) is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), specifically the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). It supports projects that put SBIRT services into routine practice for adults in primary care and community health settings.

2) Which federal agency and SAMHSA center sponsor this funding?

This funding is offered by HHS through SAMHSA, within the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT).

3) When was the funding opportunity released, and what was the application deadline?

The announcement was released on December 18, 2015. The application deadline was February 17, 2016.

4) What fiscal year does this announcement cover?

This is an FY 2016 funding announcement.

5) What does SBIRT stand for, and what services does it include?

SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment. The program supports systems that can (1) screen adult patients for risky alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, (2) provide brief interventions when misuse is identified, and (3) ensure effective referral pathways to treatment when a higher level of care is needed.

6) What is the main purpose of this SBIRT grant?

The core purpose is to build or improve systems so SBIRT services are consistently delivered as part of everyday clinical workflows in adult primary care and community health settings. The intent is to move beyond one-time screening efforts and embed SBIRT into routine practice to identify substance-related risk earlier, intervene sooner, and connect people to appropriate treatment when needed.

7) Who is the focus population for services under this opportunity?

The opportunity is focused on adults receiving care in primary care and community health settings.

8) What types of settings are highlighted for implementing SBIRT?

The announcement highlights primary care clinics and community health sites, emphasizing places where people already receive medical care and where SBIRT can be integrated into routine workflows.

9) What does the program mean by putting SBIRT into "routine practice"?

It means embedding screening, brief intervention, and referral processes into standard operational workflows so they happen consistently as part of regular care, rather than being isolated or occasional activities.

10) What public health and clinical outcomes does SAMHSA emphasize?

Projects are expected to contribute to reductions in alcohol and other drug consumption and to lessen negative health consequences associated with that use. The announcement also frames SBIRT as a tool for increasing abstinence when clinically appropriate.

11) How is health care utilization connected to SBIRT in this grant?

The announcement links SBIRT to reducing costly health care utilization, reflecting that untreated or unrecognized substance misuse can contribute to preventable emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and complications from chronic conditions.

12) What does the grant say about sustainability after the grant period?

Sustainability is a stated goal. Applicants are expected to think about how SBIRT services will continue beyond the grant period through strategies such as reimbursement approaches, partnerships, workforce integration, and operational changes.

13) What role does behavioral health and primary care integration play in this opportunity?

A major component is integrating behavioral health and primary care. The grant encourages approaches that improve coordination and continuity of care between generalist medical settings and specialist treatment providers.

14) How does the opportunity encourage the use of health information technology (HIT)?

The program encourages applicants to use HIT to strengthen coordination and continuity of care. Examples described include documenting screening results in electronic systems, supporting clinical decision-making, tracking referrals and follow-up, and improving communication between medical settings and specialist treatment providers.

15) Does the announcement support technology-enabled approaches to expand access?

Yes. The description highlights an interest in expanding access through technological means and points to approaches that can increase reach and engagement, such as electronic screening tools, digital referral processes, telehealth-supported connections, or other technology-enabled methods for connecting people to services.

16) What system-level or policy-level changes are expected from applicants?

The opportunity explicitly seeks system-level and policy-level progress. Applicants are expected to identify and sustain systems and policy changes that make treatment access easier in both generalist and specialist settings, including improving referral relationships and reducing barriers between primary care and specialty substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.

17) What does the grant emphasize about referrals and preventing people from being lost to follow-up?

It emphasizes creating practical pathways so that people who screen positive do not "fall through the cracks." This includes strengthening referral relationships and improving processes for referral and follow-up.

18) What is the relationship between SBIRT and substance use disorders (SUD) in this opportunity?

The program is designed to strengthen how states and tribal communities identify and respond to substance misuse and substance use disorders. SBIRT supports early identification of risky use and creates referral pathways to treatment when a higher level of care is needed.

19) How many awards were anticipated under this funding opportunity?

The announcement anticipated eight awards.

20) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed in the announcement is $1,658,375.

21) What is the CFDA number for this program?

The program is listed under CFDA 93.243.

22) What type of grant program is this?

This is described as a discretionary grant program.

23) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement.

24) What larger goal does SAMHSA describe for states and tribal communities?

The broader goal is strengthening how states and tribal communities identify and respond to substance misuse and SUD by embedding SBIRT into routine medical and community health settings and improving systems for intervention and referral.

25) What is the overall aim of the SBIRT grant according to the announcement summary?

Overall, the opportunity aims to help jurisdictions and eligible entities expand evidence-informed screening and early intervention capacity for adults, tighten the connection between medical settings and SUD treatment, and use technology and policy improvements to make these changes scalable and durable.