Listening Session #2 Executive Summary 

Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Resources for Native Americans Program 

Introduction: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) held the 

second Tribal Listening Session on the Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Resources for 

Native Americans Program on November 9th, 2023. This is a new program, authorized but not 

appropriated, under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. The listening session provided an 

opportunity for SAMHSA to share information about the statutory authority for the program and hear 

from Tribal Leaders.

Background: On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 was signed into law. 

The law amended Section 506A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa– 5a) to create a 

Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Resources for Native Americans (BHSUDRNA) Program. 

The purpose of the program is to provide services for the prevention of, treatment of, and recovery from 

mental health and substance use disorders among American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native 

Hawaiians. Eligible entities include any health program administered directly by the Indian Health 

Service (IHS), a Tribal health program, an Indian Tribe, a Tribal organization, an Urban Indian 

organization, and a Native Hawaiian health organization (Papa Ola Lokahi’). The program is authorized 

such that the Secretary acts through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use for 

SAMHSA, in consultation with the Director of the IHS. This new amendment to the statute states that the 

Secretary, in consultation with the Director of IHS and the eligible entities, shall develop a formula 

to determine the amount of an award for BHSUDRNA. SAMHSA, in coordination with IHS, has held 

virtual listening sessions on August 29th and November 9th regarding development and implementation of 

the program. This document summarizes key messages and potential next steps that were shared during 

the virtual listening session. 

Key Messages/Themes that emerged from participants in the listening session: 

• Grants should help improve capacity of Tribes. 

• There have been lasting effects from Indian Boarding School trauma. 

• Consider having base funding, at a meaningful amount, as the formula does not work for smaller 

Tribes.

• Ensure Tribes do not have to compete against each other for funding.

• Consider using IHS user population in formula development. 

• Consider using IHS contracting and compacting mechanism for funding. 

• Create broad eligibility under BHSUDRNA to include as many Tribes as possible. 

• Maintain grant requirements that are flexible to allow Tribes to use the funds to address their 

unique priorities. 

• Ensure minimal reporting requirements and these measures should be developed by Tribes. 

• Create a plan for sustainability of funding, to ensure continued success of programs. 

• Eliminate ERA Commons and Government Performance and Results Act reporting requirements. 

Next Steps: 

• SAMHSA will work with Tribes to schedule a Tribal Consultation prior to implementation of a 

potential program.