Connecticut will receive a $5 million grant to better engage and connect young adults, ages 16 to 25, to behavioral health care, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced today.

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Connecticut the competitive five-year CT Seamless Transition and Recovery Opportunities through Network Growth grant to serve youth who live in New London, Milford or Middletown, and who are at risk for or have behavioral health disorders.

“These new resources will support young people living with behavioral health disorders, and help them learn to identify and appropriately cope with their issues,” Malloy said in a news release. “Early intervention is critical; and this funding enables Connecticut to reach out to young people and help them lead more productive, fulfilled lives.”

Grant activities will identify and engage young adults in formal treatment and services while ensuring that families are engaged and included in decisions and roles for recovery planning. An outreach campaign supported by the grant will be used to inform people about mental illness, reduce discrimination, and provide connections to services.

The project will be administered by the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Children and Families in collaboration with Advanced Behavioral Health. Project staff from the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut in New London, Bridges in Milford, and the Community Health Center in Middletown will work with youth to ensure their successful transition to productive adult community members. DMHAS serves as the fiduciary agency, and the evaluation will be conducted by the University of Connecticut School of Social Work.