As established in Act 2024-358, the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee is charged by the Governor and Legislature to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses the unique behavioral health needs of Alabama veterans. To inform the plan, leverage resources, and identify gaps in care, the Committee must conduct a review of current veterans’ mental health, substance use, recovery, and other support services in Alabama.
On behalf of the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee, thank you for the services you provide every day to Alabama veterans.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) is open from February 7 to March 24, 2025.
RFP: Pilot Programs - Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee
Please review the Questions and Answers related to the RFP.
Act 2024-358 allows for ADMH to establish pilot projects with newly appropriated dollars.
- Pilot projects must deliver evidence-based services.
- Organizations must be certified by ADMH or agree to become certified by ADMH.
- Pilot projects must be awarded funding through a fair and transparent RFP process.
- Pilot projects may begin upon the appropriation of new funds and certification of projects.
The purpose of the RFP is to fund innovative, high-quality pilot projects that align with the goals of the Committee's Comprehensive Plan and Evidence-Based Best Practices.
Related Documents to RFP:
Alabama Veteran Behavioral Health Landscape
Best Practices: Services Implementation Overview
About the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee
The Alabama Department of Mental Health is pleased to chair the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee, created by Act 2024-358. The purpose of the committee is to maximize new and existing opportunities for veterans’ access to behavioral health care – as defined as the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and behavioral health crises – no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they are enrolled in VA care.
Per Act 2024-358, the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee is tasked with the following:
- June 1, 2024: The Act goes into effect.
- September 1, 2024: The Committee shall have its first meeting by this date.
- January 1, 2025: The Committee shall complete a full review of the following:
- The current state of Alabama veterans’ mental health and rates of substance use;
- Current mental health, substance use, recovery, and other support services in Alabama;
- Needs assessments previously conducted for the purpose of identifying gaps in services and supports. The review of needs assessments shall include quantitative and qualitative feedback of post-9/11 veterans in Alabama;
- The need for additional services and coordination of existing services.
- April 1, 2025: The Committee shall develop a Comprehensive Plan and submit it to the House and Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committees by this date.
- June 30, 2025: ADMH shall submit the Comprehensive Plan to the Governor by this date.
- August 31, 2025: The Governor shall act on the Comprehensive Plan no later than this date. Upon the Governor’s approval, ADMH will implement the Comprehensive Plan.
Act 2024-358 also creates the opportunity for ADMH to establish pilot programs with newly appropriated dollars. The pilot programs must be based on the findings of the Committee’s Comprehensive Plan. Thus, the Committee is publishing a Request for Information (RFI) and encourages organizations delivering veteran-specific programs to submit responses. More information will be posted on November 8, 2024.