Press Release: READ: Gov. Evers Sends Letter Urging Congress to Fully Fund Essential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services that are a Lifeline for Wisconsinites

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 01/23/2026 01:15 PM CST
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 23, 2026
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
READ: Gov. Evers Sends Letter Urging Congress to Fully Fund Essential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services that are a Lifeline for Wisconsinites 
Governor fights to secure mental and behavioral health investments after the Trump Administration abruptly terminated and then restored roughly $2 billion in federal mental health and substance abuse services grants, spurring confusion nationwide
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, in a letter to members of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation, urged bipartisan support for the U.S. Congress to fully fund the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant, which provide essential mental health and substance abuse services that are a lifeline for Wisconsinites.

The Trump Administration last week abruptly terminated an estimated $2 billion in federal grants through the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), only to immediately turn around and reverse that decision 24 hours later, causing chaos, uncertainty, and confusion for thousands of stakeholders across the nation. This also comes as SAMHSA has had its workforce and federal budget decimated in recent months as a result of the Trump Administration’s mass funding cuts and layoffs.  

On the heels of the last government shutdown, which was the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, Congress passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through Jan. 30, 2026. Congress is now meeting to pass additional appropriations legislation to fund the government for the current federal fiscal year (FFY), which runs through Sept. 30, 2026.  

In the continuing resolution, Congress appropriated FFY 26 funding for programs managed by SAMHSA to support a continuum of care for mental health and substance use grounded in local-level services using proven strategies to improve the well-being of individuals and communities. As of today, states have yet to receive a FFY26 Notice of Award for either grant.  

Funding for programs managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant serve the state’s most vulnerable kids, adults, and families, and in his letter, the governor maintains that without consistent and reliable funding for these grant programs, the capacity of these agencies will be severely compromised, resulting in Wisconsinites avoidable suffering, and leading to further strain on the state’s healthcare and criminal justice systems.  

A copy of Gov. Evers’ letter to members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation is available here. 
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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