Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG)

The Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) is a federal block grant that Mercy Care gets from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

This grant is available to help provide mental health treatment services to Maricopa County residents who are uninsured or underinsured and are adults with serious mental illness (SMI), children with serious emotional disturbance (SED) and individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis (FEP).

Mercy Care get this funding as a pass-through grant to make sure eligible persons have access to covered behavioral health services. Treatment services can include counseling, case management, mental health assessment and skills training.

You can learn more about the MHBG's target populations, eligibility requirements and providers who offer services at no cost to each demographic by clicking on the dropdown menus below.

First episode psychosis (FEP)

First episode psychosis refers to a person experiencing psychosis for the first time. Psychosis can differ from person to person. Some common symptoms include:

Having thoughts or belief that are unusual or bizarre
Hearing or seeing things that others around you don’t
Feelings of someone watching you or being watched
A change in personality
Difficulty sleeping
Isolating yourself from others

If you or someone you know may be experiencing some or all of these symptoms, it's important to get help early.

Research indicates that early treatment can help to slow down or stop the symptoms of psychosis and improve recovery. Treatment services include counseling, employment and education support, medication treatment and family support.

You can call Mercy Care RBHA Member Services at 602-586-1841 or 1-800-564-5465 (TTY/TDD: 711) to get connected to care. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Providers and program-specific criteria

Valleywise First Episode Clinic
623-344-6860
480-341-7073 (after hours)

950 E. Van Buren St.
Avondale, AZ 85323

Program criteria: 15-25 years old, experienced first episode of psychosis in the past year

Resilient Health
602-595-5447

1415 N. 1st St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Program criteria: 15-30 years old, experienced first episode of psychosis in the past two years

Children with serious emotional disturbance (SED)

Mercy Care funds 30 community providers to serve children with serious emotional disturbance (SED) in outpatient or residential settings.

An SED is a designation for individuals from birth through 17 years who have a diagnosable behavioral, mental or emotional condition. This condition interferes with or limits a child’s role or functioning in family, school or community activities.

If you’re interested in these services, contact your nearest SED provider or Mercy Care member services for more information. Mercy Care RBHA Member Services is available at 602-586-1841 or 1-800-564-5465 (TTY/TDD 711). Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Behavioral Health Home providers

Speciality providers

Adults with serious mental illness (SMI)

Adults with an SMI determination include persons 18 years and older who have diagnosable behavioral, mental or emotional condition. Their condition interferes with or limits one or more major life activities listed below:

Basic daily living (eating, dressing, hygiene)
Instrumental living (taking prescribed medications or getting around in the community)
Participating in family, school or workplace

Providers – NT19 SMI

Terros Health
Southwest Behavioral and Health Services

Providers – NT19 SMI counseling

Terros Health
Southwest Behavioral and Health Services
La Frontera EMPACT
Lifewell
Copa Health
Resilient Health

Providers – ACT NT19 SMI counseling

Additional guidance

AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual (AMPM)

AMPM Policy 320-T1 (azahcccs.gov): Learn about AHCCCS policies governing Non-Title 19/21 behavioral health services funded by block and discretionary grants
AMPM Policy 320-T2 (azahcccs.gov): Learn about AHCCCS policies governing Non-Title 19/21 behavioral health services funded by Non-Title 19/21 non-federal funding through Mercy Care RBHA (excluding block and discretionary grants)
AMPM Policy 300, Exhibit 300-2B, AHCCCS Covered Non-Title 19/21 Behavioral Health Services (PDF) – Learn about AHCCCS policies on covered Non-Title 19/21 behavioral health services

Non-Title Enrollment Reference Guide: Learn how to establish Non-Title enrollment for members

Crisis/State Only Membership Reference Guide: Learn how to establish enrollment for crisis and/or state-only services for a titled member

Mercy Care RBHA Provider Manual: Get an overview of the public behavioral and integrated care health system requirements for any agency/organization that directly provides behavioral health or integrated care services