Programs

Let's Have the Conversation: One Mission: One Voice Faith-Based Initiative

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has actively engaged, and supported faith-based and community organizations involved in substance use and mental health services since 1992 through:

  • Community Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership Program includes more than 800 faith-based community partners among its grantees
  • Block and formula grant program funds are available through the states to countless faith-based organizations that engage people with or at risk for mental health and substance use disorders
  • SAMHSA-supported training programs and curricula not only support substance use prevention addiction treatment, and mental health services education for multi-denominational leaders of the faith community, but also help create integrated, sustainable collaborations at the local level and nationwide

The Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center (SATTC) of Morehouse School of Medicine has embarked upon this initiative since 2002 to bring the community and Faith Leaders together to heal the wounds of addiction. These efforts have been through the hosting of the Integrating the Sacred and Secular Treatment of Addiction Faith Conference and the Faith Leadership Academy: "Leading in the Time of Change, Integrating the Sacred and Secular Treatment of Addiction.

This Leadership Academy was a six (6) month academy to develop individual leadership skills, learn more about personal leadership styles, meet and network with other new and emerging leaders, gain practical experience in engaging with individuals dealing with substance use disorders, and prepare congregations for organizational change and readiness. The dynamic teams had the opportunity to present their results-based projects, and how they will continue the charge of working in their communities to enhance and educate Substance Use, Prevention and Treatment Division services.

The purpose of the faith-based initiative is to dialogue and strengthen the knowledge base of people working in faith settings on how they can be catalyst for change in their communities and congregations and how they reduce the stigma associated with the disorder within their faith settings to create a powerful and sustaining recovery ministry.