Nearly 650,000 people are released from state and federal prison yearly and arrive on the doorsteps of communities nationwide. A far greater number reenter communities from local jails.
More than half of all people in state and Federal prisons and local jails meet criteria for having mental health problems, 6 in 10 meet criteria for a substance use problem, and more than a third meet criteria for having both a substance abuse and mental health problem.
To assist juvenile and adult offenders returning to the community, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is awarding $21.6 million in grants over the next three years to expand substance abuse treatment and related recovery and reentry services in offender reentry programs.
Reentry programs assist offenders in acquiring the life skills needed to succeed in the community and become law-abiding citizens.
Eighteen three year grants are being awarded for up to $400,000 per year, for a total of $7.2 million per year. The actual award amounts may vary, depending on the availability of funds and the progress achieved by the grantees.
Mental health disorders overwhelmingly common in people experiencing homelessness