The Governance Challenges of the Government Performance and Results Act: A Case Study of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration

This study uses a case study of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to investigate the governance challenges of implementing the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) in recent years. Interdepartmental rivalry and lack of coordination, the complex relationship between the federal government and state governments in managing programs, and challenges in balancing diverse stakeholders' demands have made the strategic planning exercise of GPRA an uphill battle. The situation is further complicated by the conflicting demands from GRPA and the Performance Assessment Tool and the assertiveness of the White House in its performance budgeting initiatives in recent years. The case shows that implementation of GPRA inevitably involves many governance challenges and redistribution of power among various political actors.