National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative – Category III Community Treatment and Services (CTS) Centers | Apply Online

FAQs: National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI) Category III Community Treatment and Services (CTS) Centers (SM-16-005)

What is this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI) Category III Community Treatment and Services (CTS) Centers program. It is a federal funding program designed to support community-based centers that expand and strengthen trauma-focused behavioral health treatment and service systems for children and adolescents who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events, as well as for their families.

Which federal agency runs this program?

The program is run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).

What is the main purpose of funding CTS Centers?

The purpose is to improve the quality of trauma treatment and related supports and to increase access to effective trauma-focused care nationwide. The program emphasizes both providing services and building long-term community capacity to deliver high-quality, evidence-informed trauma care in settings where children and families already seek help.

Who is intended to benefit from services supported by this grant?

The intended beneficiaries are children and adolescents who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events and their families. The program also highlights military families as a priority population.

What kinds of trauma-related needs does the program address?

The program focuses on trauma-related behavioral health treatment and services for children and adolescents affected by traumatic events, including support for their families. It is intended to strengthen trauma-focused systems of care rather than fund isolated, stand-alone services.

Does the grant fund only direct clinical services?

No. A central idea of the program is not only to fund direct services, but also to help communities build capacity to deliver consistent, high-quality, evidence-informed trauma care. This includes strengthening local treatment and service systems and improving how services are delivered across community settings.

What does it mean that CTS Centers are part of a national effort?

Funded CTS Centers operate as part of a broader national strategy to improve how the United States responds to child traumatic stress across multiple settings and service systems, not just within a single organization or clinic.

What community systems and settings are expected to be involved?

The program is designed to work across settings that routinely serve children and families, including behavioral health, child welfare, schools, juvenile justice, pediatric/primary care, and other community-serving systems.

What is the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), and how is it related to this grant?

A defining feature of this program is that awardees become members of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). NCTSN is a national network of grantees that collaborates to develop, improve, and spread effective trauma treatments, services, and practical resources for children and families affected by many types of trauma.

What collaboration expectations come with becoming an NCTSN member?

NCTSN members are expected to work collaboratively with other network members and to partner locally with systems that serve traumatized children and families. This collaboration is intended to help align practices, share tools, and promote trauma-informed approaches across agencies and disciplines.

What does it mean that this award is a cooperative agreement?

This funding is a discretionary grant awarded as a cooperative agreement. That means SAMHSA anticipates an ongoing, collaborative role with recipients rather than a purely hands-off grant relationship.

Is the program focused on equity and reducing disparities?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes equity and reducing behavioral health disparities. SAMHSA encourages applicants to implement strategies that address differences in access, service utilization, and outcomes among racial and ethnic minority populations.

What kinds of disparity-reduction strategies does SAMHSA encourage?

Based on the announcement, the emphasis is on paying attention to who is and is not being reached and taking concrete steps to close gaps that commonly appear in referral pathways, engagement and retention, cultural and linguistic fit, and clinical outcomes. The announcement references additional guidance (Appendix F in the full announcement).

Why are military families highlighted in this opportunity?

Military families are identified as a priority population because evidence indicates children of deployed military personnel experience higher levels of emotional difficulties related to school, family functioning, and peer relationships compared with national samples. Applicants serving communities with high concentrations of military families, or who can effectively reach and serve this population, are expected to build that focus into their program design.

How quickly must funded centers begin providing services?

SAMHSA emphasizes speed to service delivery. Grantees are expected to begin delivering services as soon as possible after the award, and service delivery must start no later than the sixth month of the project.

What does the required start of service delivery imply for applicants?

It implies readiness. Applicants should be positioned to move quickly from award to implementation, with key elements such as partnerships, staffing plans, referral processes, and implementation strategies able to launch rapidly so the award translates into real access to care rather than extended planning.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is SM-16-005.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $400,000.

How many awards were expected under this announcement?

The announcement indicated an expectation of 56 awards.

When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?

The opportunity was posted on December 2, 2015, and the application closing date was February 4, 2016.

What is the CFDA number and what type of funding activity is this?

The program is categorized as a health funding activity and listed under CFDA 93.243.

What is the legal authority for this program?

The program is authorized under Section 582 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

How does this opportunity relate to broader public health goals?

The announcement states the program is aligned with Healthy People 2020 goals in the Mental Health and Mental Disorders topic area, reinforcing its public health orientation and focus on measurable improvements in mental health outcomes and service systems.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with clarification provided in the full FOA. Applicants would need to consult the eligibility section of the full announcement for the specific organizational types permitted.

What is the overall vision for what a funded CTS Center should accomplish?

A funded CTS Center is expected to deliver and expand effective trauma-focused services for children and adolescents, strengthen local service systems, collaborate through the NCTSN to share and advance best practices, and intentionally address disparities in access and outcomes, with particular interest in meeting the needs of military-connected families.