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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 28, 2026 - REA Analytics is guiding Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant recipients through the reporting and evaluation requirements that begin immediately after an award is made. Early preparation helps organizations avoid compliance issues and positions programs to demonstrate the impact needed to support future funding. SAMHSA grantees are required to track and report a range of performance data throughout the life of their award, often before a program is fully underway. Understanding these requirements early can prevent gaps in data collection and reporting delays later on.

What Grantees Need to Know

REA Analytics recommends that new SAMHSA grantees review the following requirements as soon as an award is announced:

• Required performance measures

• Data collection requirements

• SPARS and GPRA reporting requirements

• Reporting deadlines

• Evaluation requirements

• Required participant or service data

• Evaluation and reporting funds included in the approved budget

Addressing these items immediately after an award, rather than waiting until the report is due, gives organizations time to establish data systems, train staff and set the baselines needed for accurate reporting.

"REA Analytics provides 100% of SPARS data entry," said Dr. William Medendorp, principal investigator. "This relieves the administrative burden so your team can focus on program implementation."

Why Early Action Matters

SAMHSA uses SPARS (SAMHSA's Performance Accountability and Reporting System) to collect performance data required under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Consistent, accurate reporting is a condition of the award and can influence future funding decisions.

SAMHSA and other federal funders increasingly rely on evaluation results and demonstrated program impact when considering continuation awards and future opportunities. Grantees that delay evaluation planning often struggle to reconstruct baseline data or meet early reporting deadlines, which can affect both compliance and an organization's ability to show measurable outcomes.

Evaluation Is a Qualified, Fundable Expense

Many grantees are not aware that the role of an external evaluator can be built directly into the approved grant budget as a qualified expense. Evaluation costs are billed directly to the grant, meaning organizations do not need to draw from other operating funds to partner with an evaluator. Budgeting for this role early ensures grantees have the resources in place to meet SPARS and GPRA requirements throughout the life of the award.

How REA Analytics Can Help

SPARS Reporting and Evaluation Support from REA Analytics REA Analytics works with SAMHSA grantees to build reporting and evaluation systems that meet federal requirements from day one, including:

• SPARS and GPRA reporting setup and support

• Evaluation plan development

• Performance measure tracking

• Data collection tools and processes

• Baseline data establishment

• Ongoing reporting and compliance support

REA helps organizations translate federal requirements into practical systems their staff can manage, so programs stay compliant while building the evidence base needed to support future funding.

PO Box 68527 Grand Rapids, MI 49506

About REA Analytics

REA Analytics is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based grant management and evaluation consulting firm providing grant writing, application assistance, program evaluation and performance measurement for federally funded projects. With 15 years of experience evaluating federally funded programs, REA works with partners nationwide to identify funding opportunities and develop competitive applications.

REA provides free grant writing and application assistance and can serve as the program evaluator once funding is awarded.

For more information, visit www.reaanalytics.com, email rea@reaanalytics.com or call (616) 930-0706.

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