Sponsors (9)
The bill provides modest, targeted federal funding, technical assistance, and data- and equity-focused requirements to expand community-based mental wellness programs (with a rural set-aside), but the limited overall funding and grant caps may constrain reach and cannot replace needed clinical mental health services.
Community resilience networks and local organizations can receive program grants (up to $500,000 per year for up to four years) to establish or expand community-based mental wellness programs.
Community organizations can obtain planning grants (up to $250,000) to organize networks, assess needs, and prepare stronger applications for program funding.
At least 20% of annual funds are reserved for rural areas, meaning rural communities have increased access to planning and program funds.
Communities seeking funding face a relatively small overall pool—total authorization is only $36 million over five years—likely limiting the number and scale of grants relative to need.
Grant caps ($500,000/year for programs; $250,000 planning) may be insufficient for large or multi-jurisdictional efforts, forcing scope limits or reliance on other funding sources.
The program emphasizes community-based, nonclinical activities, which may not substitute for needed clinical mental health treatment for individuals with serious mental illness or chronic conditions.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes HHS grants for planning and multi-year community mental wellness and resilience programs, with a 20% rural set-aside.
Official title: To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promote mental wellness and resilience and prevent and heal mental health, behavioral health, and psychosocial conditions through developmentally and culturally appropriate community programs, and award grants for the purpose of establishing, operating, or expanding community-based mental wellness and resilience programs, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 23, 2025 by Paul Tonko · Last progress July 23, 2025
Creates a new competitive grant program at HHS to fund community mental wellness and resilience efforts. The law authorizes planning grants (up to $250,000) to nonprofits and community groups and program grants (up to $500,000/year for up to four years) to coordinating networks that organize, implement, and evaluate local, culturally appropriate mental health promotion, prevention, and recovery activities. At least 20% of annual funds must go to rural-area grants.