Federal Agency Resources for Counselors

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

• NIMH Study 
  A new study, funded in part by NIMH, showed that a new medication derived from ketamine is safe and acceptable for use in humans. The medication may capitalize on the therapeutic effects of ketamine (such as rapid relief for severe depression) while avoiding its negative effects (such as a high risk of misuse). 

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

• HRSA’s New Office of Tribal Affairs (OTA). Created by the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (formerly known as the Office of Regional Operations), the OTA works to bring resources and information to Tribal governments and organizations. To learn more, sign up for the Tribal Affairs monthly newsletter and read about the most recent Tribal Advisory Council convened by the OTA.
• AHRQ Examines Diagnostic Errors in Rural Healthcare Settings. A new issue brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) emphasizes disparities in access to high-quality diagnostic care and underscores the importance of community engagement, bolstering care coordination, and screening patients for social determinants of health. 
• HRSA National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs and Scholarships. 
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Information and Resources. 

Funding and Opportunities

• Communities Unlimited, Inc: Water and Wastewater Loans for Rural Systems – Ongoing. Communities Unlimited, a U.S. Treasury–certified Community Financial Development Institution, offers loans with terms up to 15 years, for small, rural community water and wastewater projects. Loans are made nationwide with an emphasis on Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

Federal Resources for Rural Health and Telehealth

• RHIhub Topic Guide: Finding Statistics and Data Related to Rural Health. In a recent update, the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) shares how to navigate to rural-specific statistics on https://data.census.gov and other data sources, and considerations and challenges that come with analyzing rural health data, such as the many different definitions of rural.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2023 report on youth risk behavior and mental health.

Programs to Know

In this ever-evolving landscape, it’s crucial for counselors and their clients to stay informed about available resources and support. The following links provide ongoing support items from the federal government that may be of particular interest. These resources are designed to enhance the well-being of individuals and communities, offering valuable information and assistance for counselors to share with those they serve.

• Enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act have increased adding more individuals to the Medicaid and Medicare System. 

Ongoing Opportunities

HRSA Needs Rural Reviewers for Grant Applications

Medicaid and CHIP Renewal and Transition Resources for Partners

National Indian Health Board Vaccination Event Funding – ongoing while funds last

USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants

EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)

EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program

FEMA/SAMHSA Post-Disaster Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) and CCP Toolkit

HRSA/SAMHSA Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Training and Mentoring

HRSA Seeking Nominations for Migrant Health Advisory

HRSA Technical Assistance for Look-Alike Initial Designation for the Health Center Program

Housing Assistance Council: Housing Loans for Low-Income Rural Communities

HUD Distressed Cities and Persistent Poverty Technical Assistance Program

HUD Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program

Licensure Portability: The Multi-Discipline Licensure Resource Project

NARHC Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course

National Indigenous Women's Resource Center: Technical Assistance for Domestic Violence Programs 

NIH Planning Grants for Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) – various dates through July 2026

NIH Research to Understand Disparities in Maternal Morbidity and Mortality – various dates through October 2026

NIH Data Informed, Place-Based Community-Engaged Research to Advance Health Equity – through January 2027

NIH Project Talk Initiative Host Site Applications

Small Business Administration Guaranteed Loans for Small Business

Small Business Administration Certified Development Company (504) Loan Program: Rural Initiative Pilot Program

Southeast Rural Community Development Assistance Project Development Loans

USDA Rural Business Investment Program

USDA Rural Energy Savings Program

This webpage collects some of the latest resources in the world of mental health provided by federal agencies. To help you find the resources you’re most interested in, content is organized by agency. NBCC does not endorse the viewpoints of these resources. Provided links and details are accurate at the time of publication.