HomeFrequently Asked Questions
For the Public
Where can I find information on screening tools?
In what settings can SBIRT be implemented?
Who are the recipients of SBIRT funding from SAMHSA/CSAT?
For Grantees
How do I request technical assistance?
How do I contact my SBIRT Project Officers?
How do I subscribe to the grantee ListServ?
Where can I go for help with GPRA questions?
Where can I find information on the grantee biannual report guidelines?
Where can I find information on grantee carry-over requests and financial status reports?
How can I review the grant requirements in the original request for applications (RFA)?
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For the Public
What is SBIRT?
The SBIRT Initiative is a 5-year national program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) to expand treatment capacity for substance use and abuse.
Why is SBIRT important?
The impact of hazardous alcohol and substance abuse is far-reaching and can exacerbate medical, mental, and social problems resulting in significant cost to the public. Federal estimates place the national annual economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse to society at $375 billion (NIDA and NIAAA, 1998). Furthermore, the human suffering and emotional cost to individuals and families related to alcohol and drug abuse is devastating. National attention is focused on efforts to reduce these costs, both personal and economic.
The traditional emphasis of substance abuse intervention has been placed on either universal prevention strategies aimed at those who have never initiated use (Mrazek and Haggerty, 1993), or specialist treatment for those who are dependent (Gerstein and Harwood, 1990). Little attention has been paid to the large group of individuals who use drugs but are not, or not yet, dependent and who could successfully reduce their drug use through "early intervention" (Klitzner et al., 1992; Fleming, 2002). Providing universal screening and early intervention to those with mild and moderate substance use is paramount to achieving a substantial reduction in the problems caused by substance abuse (Babor and Higgins-Biddle, 2001).
Babor TF and Higgins-Biddle JF (2001). Brief Intervention for Hazardous and Harmful Drinking: A Manual for Use in Primary Care. Geneva: World Health Organization. WHO/MSD/MSB/01.6b.
Fleming MF (2000). Screening and Brief Intervention in the U.S. Health Care System. In: 10 th Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol & Health, from the Secretary of Health Human Services. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Gerstein D and Harwood H (1990). Treating Drug Problem (Vol. 1). Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Klitzner M, Fisher DA, Stewart K, and Gilbert S. (1992). Substance Abuse: Early Intervention for Adolescents. Princeton, NJ: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Mrazek PJ and Haggerty RJ (Eds.) 1994. Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders: Frontiers for Preventative Intervention Research. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism (NIAAA). September 1998. The Economic Costs of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in the United States, 1992. NIH Publication Number 98-4327.
What is screening?
Screening is the process of identifying individuals with problems related to alcohol and/or substance use who may lack symptoms. Screening is conducted through interview or self-report and is used to determine the appropriate course of action, given the client's needs and characteristics, and the available resources in the community.
Where can I find information on screening tools?
A number of substance abuse screening tools have been developed. The use of instruments may vary based on State or local regulations, reimbursement policies, or personal preference.
Commonly used screening instruments for SBIRT are:
- The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), available at: http://libdoc.who.int/hq/2001/WHO_MSD_MSB_01.6a.pdf
- The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), available at: http://www.projectcork.org/clinical_tools/pdf/DAST.pdf
- The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), available at: http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/activities/assist_v3_english.pdf
What is brief intervention?
Brief intervention involves motivational discussion focused on raising individuals' awareness of their substance use and its consequences, and motivating them toward behavior change. Successful brief intervention encompasses support of the client's empowerment to make behavioral change.
What is brief treatment?
Brief treatment also involves motivational discussion and client empowerment, in addition to assessment, education, problem solving, coping mechanism, and the development of a supportive social environment.
In what settings can SBIRT be implemented?
SBIRT has been implemented in general medical settings, physician offices, trauma centers/emergency departments, community clinics, federally qualified health centers, school-based health clinics, mental health centers, and campus-based health centers.
Who are the recipients of SBIRT funding from SAMHSA/CSAT?
CSAT's SBIRT Initiative is implemented through cooperative agreements with
- California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
- Colorado State Office of the Governor
- Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc.
- Florida State Office of the Governor
- Illinois Office of the Governor
- Massachusetts State Department of Public Health
- New Mexico Department of Health
- Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- Washington Department of Social and Health Services
- Wisconsin State Office of the Governor
CSAT is also funding 12 colleges and universities to initiate services or expand existing campus-based medical services to include screening and brief intervention (SBI). CSAT's Campus SBI Initiative is implemented through grants to:
- Bristol Community College
- New Mexico Highlands University
- Northeastern University
- State University of New York – University of Albany
- University of Arizona
- University of California – Los Angeles
- University of Delaware
- University of Hartford
- University of Hawaii at Manoa
- University of Massachusetts at Amherst
- University of Tennessee
- University of Texas – El Paso
For SAMHSA SBIRT Grantees
How do I request technical assistance?
Grantees are advised to discuss the nature of their technical assistance (TA) needs with their assigned Government Project Officer prior to making an official TA request. Grantees with an assigned username and password for the GPRA system, can request TA by visiting www.samhsa-gpra.samhsa.gov.
How do I contact my SBIRT Project Officer?
Grantees are served by the following Government Project Officers:
Tom Stegbauer, M.B.A.
Lead Public Health Advisor
DHHS/SAMHSA/CSAT
1 Choke Cherry Road
Rockville, MD 20857
Tom.Stegbauer@samhsa.hhs.gov
Reed Forman, M.S.W.
Public Health Advisor
DHHS/SAMHSA/CSAT
1 Choke Cherry Road
Rockville, MD 20857
Reed.Forman@samhsa.hhs.gov
Erich Kleinschmidt, LICSW
Public Health Advisor
DHHS/SAMHSA/CSAT
1 Choke Cherry Road
Rockville, MD 20857
Erich.Kleinschmidt@samhsa.hhs.gov
Melissa Rael
Public Health Advisor
DHHS/SAMHSA/CSAT
1 Choke Cherry Road
Rockville, MD 20857
Melissa.Rael@samhsa.hhs.gov
How do I subscribe to the grantee ListServ?
Grantees can contact Travette Nelson at The MayaTech Corporation via e-mail at tnelson@mayatech.com to be added to the appropriate listserv or update their e-mail addresses.
Where can I go for help with GPRA questions?
Information on the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) can be found at the following web sites:
For more CSAT GPRA information, please contact 1-888-507-9351 or gpra-csat@westat.com.
Where can I find information on the grantee biannual report guidelines?
Grantees may visit www.samhsa-gpra.samhsa.gov to access their biannual report guidelines and template. Once the site is accessed, grantees should click on CSAT-GPRA, then select Go. Click on Services Info and select Biannual Reports from the drop-down list.
Where can I find information on grantee carry-over requests and financial status reports?
Grantees should speak with their assigned Government Project Officer to inquire about the amount of carry-over funds available and to submit their request to their Grants Management Officer at the Division of Grants Management.
Fiscal and Program Progress Reports Financial Status Reports (FSR) are available online at: www.samhsa.gov/Grants/management.aspx.
How can I review the grant requirements in the original request for applications (RFA)?
The RFA for the FY 2003 SBIRT cooperative agreements is located online at: www.samhsa.gov/Grants06/RFA/TI_06_002_sbirt.aspx.
The RFA for the Campus SBI grants is located online at: www.samhsa.gov/grants/2005/nofa/ti05003_TCE.aspx.
The RFA for the FY 2006 SBIRT cooperative agreements is located online at: www.samhsa.gov/Grants06/RFA/TI_06_002_sbirt.aspx.
