The SUBG is allocated to AHCCCS from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the purpose of planning, implementing, and evaluating substance use disorder (SUD) services throughout the state. The grant provides for prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Grant funds are also used to provide early intervention services for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in high-risk individuals who use substances. The following sections provide information on SUD treatment and recovery, the Independent Case Review, TB services, primary prevention, and the Synar Program, which is aimed at preventing underage access to tobacco/nicotine products.
SUBG funds are used to ensure access to treatment and support services for uninsured and underinsured individuals. The grant includes priority populations to be served, established by SAMHSA and listed in order of priority:
SUBG funds for treatment and recovery services are primarily allocated from AHCCCS to ACC-RBHAs and TRBHAs for the implementation of services. For more information about applying for SUBG funding for SUD treatment and recovery services, go to Behavioral Services Map link under resources and select the ACC-RBHA or TRBHA nearest you. Members can receive SUD services through SUBG while going through the enrollment process for AHCCCS or if denied eligibility as shown in the Accessing the Behavioral Health System link under resources.
The SUBG may be used for SUD recovery services for uninsured and underinsured individuals in alignment with AHCCCS Covered Behavioral Health Services and additional SAMHSA guidance. SAMHSA defines recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. Recovery signals a dramatic shift in the expectation for positive outcomes for individuals who experience mental and substance use conditions or the co-occurring of the two.” According to SAMHSA, the four major dimensions of recovery are:
Pursuant to the 45 CFR Part 96 Sect. 127, AHCCCS is required to routinely make available tuberculosis services as defined in §96.121 to each individual receiving treatment for substance use, implement infection control procedures including the screening of patients, and identify those individuals who are at high risk of becoming infected.
AHCCCS contracts for the ICR to assess the quality, appropriateness, and efficacy of treatment services provided in the State to individuals under the SUBG. At least 5 percent of the entities providing services in the State under SUBG are reviewed annually. The programs reviewed shall be representative of the total population of such entities.
The review focuses on treatment programs and the substance use service system rather than on the individual practitioners. The intent of the ICR process is to continuously improve the treatment services to individuals with SUD. “Quality,” for purposes of this section, is the provision of treatment services which, within the constraints of technology, resources, and patient/client circumstances, will meet accepted standards and practices which will improve patient/client health and safety status in the context of recovery. “Appropriateness,” for purposes of this section, means the provision of treatment services consistent with the individual's identified clinical needs and level of functioning.
The case reviewers are individuals with expertise in the field of alcohol and drug use treatment. Because treatment services may be provided by multiple disciplines, AHCCCS makes every effort to ensure that case reviewers are representative of the various disciplines utilized by the SUBG. Individual case reviewers are also knowledgeable about the modality being reviewed and its underlying theoretical approach to addictions treatment, and are sensitive to the cultural and environmental issues that may influence the quality of the services provided.
As part of the ICR, the reviewers review a representative sample of member records to determine quality and appropriateness of treatment services, while adhering to all Federal and State confidentiality requirements, including 42 CFR part 2. The reviewers examine the following:
AHCCCS ensures that the ICR will not involve practitioners/providers reviewing their own programs, or programs in which they have administrative oversight, and that there be a separation of case reviewers from funding decision-makers. In addition, AHCCCS ensures that the ICR is not conducted as part of the licensing/certification process.
The ICR is conducted each year for the time period of July 1 - June 30, and is published here as soon as it is available.
SABG Key Performance Measure Data July 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022
SABG Key Performance Measure Data July 1, 2021 – June 30th, 2022
SFY 2023 Quarter 1 (July-September 2022)
SABG Prevention Kick Off Meeting Part 1, July 7th 2021
SABG Prevention Kick Off Meeting Part 2, July 7th 2021
SAMHSA requires that grantees spend no less than 20% of their SUBG allotment on substance use primary prevention strategies, which are strategies that are directed at individuals not identified to be in need of substance use disorder treatment. The SUBG primary prevention funds are used primarily to implement the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) strategies:
The Synar Amendment was developed in the context of a growing body of evidence about the health problems related to tobacco use by youth, as well as evidence about the ease with which youth could purchase tobacco products through retail sources.
Pursuant to Public Health Services Act (42 U.S.C. 300x-26) and the Tobacco Regulation for the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUBG) (45 C.F.R. 96.130) AHCCCS is required to comply with the Synar Amendment. The Synar Amendment and program is responsible for implementing the requirements of the Synar Agreement and requires States to:
For additional questions about the SUBG, please contact the SUBG@azahcccs.gov email address.
