Announcement for 10/27/11
Policy Research Associates Awarded Federal Contract to Operate SAMHSA's GAINS Center for Behavioral Health & Justice Transformation
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded Policy Research Associates a five-year contract to operate “SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation.” Formerly known as the National GAINS Center, SAMHSA's GAINS Center will provide technical assistance to the field and to SAMHSA grant programs. The center will provide the field guidance on integrating best practices in mental health and substance use treatment for justice-involved persons, with a specific eye on the impact of the Affordable Care Act.
The new GAINS Center funding will support the promotion of trauma-informed practices among criminal justice professionals in up to eight communities per year. This training, “How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses,” targets community-based criminal justice system professionals (law enforcement, probation/parole, and community corrections) and focuses on awareness, skills building and action planning.
A cornerstone activity of the first year of SAMHSA’s GAINS Center will be a national policy academy focused on Juvenile Justice Mental Health. The Center will convene 10 state teams to create strategic plans for innovative responses to these pressing needs.
SAMHSA’s GAINS Center will continue to offer a full line of resources, including fact sheets, program briefs and summary papers, all of which are available electronically and free of charge through the Center’s website (www.gainscenter.samhsa.gov. The GAINS Center’s toll-free number remains unchanged (1-800-311-GAINS). Staff may also be contacted via email at GAINS@prainc.com.