FY 2016 Report on Conference Spending by Substance 

Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 

Center for Mental Health Services

National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI) All Network Conference

Dates: 3/28/2016 - 4/1/2016

Venue, City State or Country: Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, National Harbor, MD 

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This conference supported SAMHSA’s 

strategic initiative on Trauma and Justice which provides a comprehensive public health approach to 

addressing trauma and establishing a trauma-informed approach in health, behavioral health, human 

services, and related systems, with the intent to reduce both the observable and less visible harmful 

effects of trauma and violence on children and youth, adults, families, and communities. Specifically, this 

conference is in line with objectives focused on coordinating and aligning SAMHSA’s trauma technical 

assistance and training activities. This event allowed collaborative efforts by participants to share and 

exchange lessons learned, best practices, and innovations, and to develop resources on issues related to 

child trauma. Technical assistance was also provided in the areas of treatment and services, prevention, 

and sustainability strategies.

Total Estimated Cost: $161,901

Total Attendees: 487

Total Feds on Travel: 22 (local)

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 23 

Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Combined Campus, State/Tribal Grantee Meeting

Dates: 5/2/2016 - 5/5/2016

Venue, City State or Country: Renaissance Hotel, Washington, DC 

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This meeting focused on promoting 

comprehensive implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP) in order to 

achieve demonstrable reductions in youth suicide and youth suicide attempts. Presentations were given 

on strategic planning, crisis response, continuity of care, improving surveillance data, measuring program 

outcomes, interpreting data, advancing clinical workforce development, integrating alcohol and other drug 

use prevention activities with suicide prevention and mental health promotion activities, SAMHSA’s 

Theory of Change (and how that relates to sustainability). This meeting directly supported Strategic 

Initiative #1, Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, Goal 1.3: to prevent and reduce 

attempted suicides and deaths by suicide among populations at high risk.
Total Estimated Cost: $160,316

Total Attendees: 642

Total Feds on Travel: 14 (local)

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 23

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

Dates: 5/5/16

Venue, City State or Country: GWU Morton Auditorium, Washington, DC 

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This event was designed to raise 

awareness with the media and with the general public about the importance of children's mental health 

from birth, as well as to showcase youth who have learned to thrive with mental health challenges. The 

ongoing goals for this event are to: 1) integrate mental health in every environment that impacts child 

development from birth; 2) encourage the nurturing of social and emotional well-being of children from 

birth; and 3) provide information to the public about critical milestones of a child's social and emotional 

development from birth. The event is used as a catalyst for announcements of new developments in 

research and federal policy. This event promotes SAMHSA's Strategic Initiatives on Prevention of 

Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, Health Care & Health Systems Integration, Trauma and Justice, 

Recovery Support, and Workforce Development.

Total Estimated Cost: $106,935

Total Attendees: 314

Total Feds on Travel: 14 (local)

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 15

State Justice Adult Reentry Policy Academy

Dates: 6/27/2016 – 6/28/2016

Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Regency, Bethesda, MD

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This event directly supported SAMHSA’s 

Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative by assisting selected states in addressing the behavioral health 

needs of adults, especially the disproportionality of adults of color, who are involved in the criminal justice 

system and struggle with transitioning and sustaining productive living in the community. It responded to 

specific action items of this strategic initiative by convening a reentry policy academy for states to develop 

policies that improve outcomes for these individuals. During this event, members of multi-jurisdictional 

teams worked together and with other states to identify and implement innovative approaches and 

strategies to support successful reentry of adults with co-occurring disorders from the criminal justice 

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system. The policy academy was preceded by consultation with participants on their overall goals and 

delivering written materials best suited to their interests and needs.

Total Estimated Cost: $174,317

Total Attendees: 77

Total Feds on Travel: 2 (local)

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 57

State Juvenile Justice Financing Diversion Policy Academy

Dates: 6/28/2016 – 6/29/2016

Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Regency, Bethesda, MD

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This event directly supported SAMHSA’s 

Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative by assisting selected states in addressing the behavioral health 

needs of youth, especially the disproportionality of youth of color and cross-over who are involved in the 

juvenile justice system. It responded to specific action items of this strategic initiative to divert individuals 

with mental and substance use issues from the system. It also enabled the rollout of tools and the 

development of strategic plans to utilize financing policies and strategies in states and jurisdictions for 

diversion in order to increase the number of youth receiving behavioral health services and to 

successfully remain in the community and out of the juvenile justice system.

Total Estimated Cost: $107,074

Total Attendees: 93

Total Feds on Travel: 2 (local)

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 54

Voice Awards

Dates: 8/10/16

Venue, City, State or Country: UCLA Royce Hall, Los Angeles, CA

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This event encouraged the reduction of 

negative attitudes about individuals with behavioral health problems which supports SAMHSA’s Strategic 

Initiatives on Prevention of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Trauma and Justice, Military Families, 

Recovery Support. Consumer/peer leaders across the country constantly demonstrate that recovery is 

real and that people with behavioral health problems are valuable, contributing members of their schools, 

workplaces, and communities. By recognizing their efforts and the accurate and respectful representation 

of people with behavioral health challenges in film and TV productions -- which have a profound impact 

on public perceptions of behavioral health – this awards ceremony aims to encourage and inspire the 

general public and the creative community to celebrate those with these challenges and increase their 

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comfort in accessing services and supports that lead to recovery. The awardees have played a vital role 

in raising awareness and understanding of these types of disorders and promoted the reduction of 

negative attitudes about people with behavioral health problems.

Total Estimated Cost: $184,988

Total Attendees: 520

Total Feds on Travel: 5

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 19

2016 SAMHSA Homeless Programs Grantee Meeting

Dates: 8/29/2016 – 8/30/2016

Venue, City, State or Country: Doubletree, Bethesda, MD

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This meeting supported SAMHSA’s 

Strategic Initiatives on Recovery Support, Trauma and Justice, Workforce Development, and Prevention 

of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness by addressing issues around homelessness, substance use, and 

mental health, and the provision of technical assistance and sharing of best practices.

Total Estimated Cost: $302,066

Total Attendees: 339

Total Feds on Travel: 22 (local)

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 40

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

National Synar Workshop

Dates: 5/3/2016 – 5/5/2016

Venue, City, State or Country: Doubletree Hilton, Silver Spring, MD

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This workshop provided attendees with 

the knowledge to: 1) identify the benefits of collaborating with diverse federal, state, and local partners to 

further reduce youth access to, and use of, tobacco products; 2) describe how Synar activities can be 

coordinated with the FDA's Tobacco Retail Compliance Inspection contract and identify specific examples 

of coordination at the state level; 3) identify innovative approaches to reduce the retailer violation rate, 

including best practices in enforcement and merchant education; and 4) identify solutions to common 

Synar program management challenges. The conference directly supported SAMHSA's mission by 

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increasing grantee capacity to implement the Synar program and identify solutions to common Synar 

program challenges.

Total Estimated Cost: $275,922

Total Attendees: 103

Total Feds on Travel: 18 (local)

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 85

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment

SAMHSA State Systems Block Grant 2016 National Conference

Dates: 3/21/2016 – 3/23/2016 

Venue, City State or Country: Hyatt, Crystal City, VA 

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This conference provided state and 

jurisdictional representative’s information on evidence-based practices, models, and strategies necessary 

to ensure that federal funds are spent in as effective a manner as possible. Participants heard from and 

interacted directly with federal, national, and state leaders/experts on effective strategies for working with 

stakeholders, programs, and communities. Topics addressed primary and behavioral health integration, 

electronic health records, clinical treatment services, information technology, prevention, financing and 

reimbursement strategies, recovery support models/systems, and military families. The agenda was 

aligned with SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiatives on Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, Health 

Care and Health Systems Integration, Trauma and Justice, Recovery Support, Health Information 

Technology, and Workforce Development. It was designed to respond to states’ identified assistance 

needs and to encourage partnerships, policies, and programs that build resilience and facilitate recovery 

for people with or at risk for mental or substance use disorders. Discussions were also held on how to 

align and expand behavioral health care systems.

Total Estimated Cost: $966,685

Total Attendees: 448

Total Feds on Travel: 85 (local)

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 363

Dr. Lonnie E. Mitchell Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) 

Behavioral Health Policy Academy 2016

Dates: 4/1/2016 – 4/2/2016

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Venue, City, State or Country: Embassy Suites, Charleston, SC

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Academy supported SAMHSA’s 

Strategic Initiatives on: Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, Workforce Development, 

Health Care and Health Systems Integration, and Recovery Support. The academy provided current 

information on prevention and intervention in behavioral health in order to increase and improve public 

awareness and support of behavioral health on HBCU campuses and communities, and to increase 

access to high-quality care to reduce behavioral health disparities.

Total Estimated Cost: $174,700

Total Attendees: 118

Total Feds on Travel: 5 

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 113

Pregnant and Postpartum Women’s (PPW) Family-Centered Policy Academy

Dates: 7/27/2016 – 7/29/2016

Venue, City, State or Country: SAMHSA, Rockville, MD

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This event supported efforts in states and 

communities to implement family-centered substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery support 

services for pregnant, postpartum women, minor children of the mothers, and their family members. It 

supported SAMHSA's fourth Strategic Initiative: Recovery Support which includes identifying and 

promoting the adoption of evidence-based practices that facilitate health, wellness, and resiliency. It also 

aligned program priorities to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness by improving 

access to quality services and supports that enable individuals and families to thrive, participate in, and 

contribute to healthy communities. During this event, a technical assistance document was developed to 

guide states and communities in the design and implementation of the family-centered approach. This 

included strengthening the capacity to provide services across the continuum of care, including residential 

treatment.

Total Estimated Cost: $244,608

Total Attendees: 124

Total Feds on Travel: 0 

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 104

Office of Program Policy and Innovation (OPPI) 

SAMHSA Tribal College and University (TCU) Behavioral Health Summit

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Dates: 2/11/2016 – 2/12/2016

Venue, City, State or Country: Holiday Inn, Washington, DC

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: SAMHSA has developed a tribal agenda, 

which clearly demonstrates SAMHSA's commitment to assist American Indians and Alaska Natives to 

access behavioral health systems that meet their needs. The tribal agenda also reflects a commitment to 

uphold the federal government's historical and unique legal relationship with tribes through consultation, 

outreach, education, and engagement. This event supported SAMHSA’s mission by promoting and 

implementing prevention and early intervention strategies to reduce the impact of mental and substance 

use disorders in America's communities. The TCU Summit allowed attendees to develop an increased 

knowledge in the areas of trauma and justice related to American Indian and Alaska Native youth. It 

focused on the reduction of barriers for Native students to succeed, to help protect students, and to assist 

surrounding tribal communities through behavioral health awareness, education, and training. 

Perspectives of youth were used to develop the skills, tools, and support needed to be the generation for 

change in their communities. Topics included suicide prevention, substance abuse, bullying/school 

violence, LGBT, teen pregnancy, treatment, and long term recovery. Training was also offered in 

leadership programs, including question, persuade, and refer (QPR), mental health first aid (MHFA), 

applied suicide intervention skills training (ASIST), and pipeline. 

Total Estimated Cost: $128,982

Total Attendees: 162

Total Feds on Travel: 14 (local)

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 24

National Network to Eliminate Disparities (NNED) Learn 2016

Dates: 3/6/2016 – 3/9/2016

Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Tamaya, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This event directly supported SAMHSA's 

mission to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on populations that experience 

behavioral health disparities by improving access to quality services and supports that enable individuals 

and families to thrive, participate in, and contribute to healthy communities. The purpose was to provide 

an opportunity for NNED members to participate in trainings that would otherwise be cost prohibitive for 

them to attend. NNED members are community-based provider organizations serving low-income, racial, 

and ethnic minority communities, and are frequently the sole source of culturally- and linguisticallyappropriate services in a locality.

Total Estimated Cost: $251,260

Total Attendees: 116

Total Feds on Travel: 5 

Total Non-Feds on Travel: 111 

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