health · HHS-SAMHS-SAMHSA

National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative - Community Treatment and Service Centers (CTS)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis · SM-26-004

Closed

Award Range

$0 – $600K

Total Program Funding

$40.7M

Expected Awards

Deadline

July 27, 2026

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

SAMHSA is expanding the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative with 68 new Community Treatment and Service Centers (CTS). Each center gets up to $600K/year to deliver evidence-based trauma treatment to children and youth in their communities. This is a LARGE program ($40.7M total) specifically for organizations already providing childhood trauma services who want federal funding to expand access. You must implement evidence-based practices (not create new ones) and participate in the NCTSN learning collaborative.

Who Should Apply

Public or private nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and community-based providers currently delivering childhood trauma services. Must be willing to implement specific evidence-based trauma treatments and join the national network.

Who Should NOT Apply

For-profit companies, foreign entities, organizations that only do research (not direct service), or providers without existing childhood trauma treatment capacity.

Key Requirements (Plain English)

•Must be a domestic public or private nonprofit, or tribal organization
•Must deliver direct trauma treatment services to children and families
•Must implement evidence-based trauma treatments (EBPs)
•Must participate in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
•Must collect and report outcome data
•No cost-sharing required

💡 GrantQuick Tip

68 awards is a LOT — this is one of the most accessible SAMHSA grants for community mental health providers. The key differentiator isn't whether you do trauma work (that's the minimum), but whether you can show you'll reach underserved children who currently lack access. Focus your application on a specific underserved population (rural kids, immigrant families, tribal communities, LGBTQ+ youth) and name the exact evidence-based treatment you'll use (TF-CBT, PCIT, CPP, etc.). Don't be vague about your treatment model.

Competitiveness: Moderate — 68 awards makes this accessible, but it's a well-known program with many experienced applicants. First-time applicants with strong community ties can absolutely win.

What This Grant Funds

The purpose of the NCTSI-III program is to create and operate Community Treatment and Service Centers to increase and deliver access to effective childhood trauma treatment services for children, youth, and their families, who experience traumatic events.

Who Can Apply

Eligibility is statutorily limited to domestic public and private non-profit entities public and nonprofit private entities, as well as to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.

Eligible Applicant Types

Other (see NOFO for details)

Funding Details

Maximum Award: $600K
Total Program Funding: $40.7M
Expected Number of Awards: 68
Cost Sharing Required?: No
Funding Instrument: grant

Key Dates

Posted: July 1, 2026

Application Deadline: July 27, 2026 (0 days remaining)

Agency Contact

Office of Financial Resources Division of Grants Management 240-276-1940

NOFOBudget.CMHS@samhsa.hhs.gov

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov

View on Grants.gov