NOFO Table of Contents
About the NOFO
The NOFO has a total of 10 sections.
- The Summary, Section A, and Section B describe information about the program, including the scope of services and funding information.
- Section C outlines applicant eligibility criteria and requirements, including allowable direct and indirect costs.
- Section D describes policy requirements for subrecipient organizations.
- Section E explains how to apply, including required attachments and recommendations for preparing the application.
- Section F describes the merit-based review process.
- Section G details what applicants can expect once selections have been made and the requirements for organizations receiving funding.
- Section H includes other requirements relevant to the program and links to helpful websites or resources.
- Section I lists the mandatory forms applicants must submit.
Summary
BASE subrecipients will establish or expand innovative and evidence-informed programs for preventing, delaying, and reducing substance use among youth and emerging adults (ages 6–25). Non-profit, for-profit, or tax-exempt entities in Illinois whose missions align with this funding opportunity should apply.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Awarding Agency Name | Regional Care Coordination Agency |
| Contact | Randi Moberly, Ph.D., CADC ilrcca@ahpnet.com 312-386-7505 |
| Funding Opportunity Title | Build, Amplify, Support, Empower (BASE) Prevention Programs |
| Announcement Type | Competitive Subaward |
| Application Posting Date | February 21, 2024 |
| Application Closing Date | April 24, 2024 |
| Technical Assistance Session | February 29, 2024 at 1:00 PM CST. Attendance is not required and the video will be posted. |
| Anticipated Notice of Award | May 31, 2024 |
| Application Process | Interested entities must submit their completed applications via SurveyMonkey Apply. All applicants must use this portal for submission. If you have an access issue, please contact ilrcca@ahpnet.com or call 312-386-7505, ext. 727, by April 3, 2023 to discuss accommodations. |
| Award Funding Source | Opioid Settlement Remediation Trust Fund |
| Estimated Total Program Funding | $15 million over 3 years ($5 million per year) |
| Anticipated Number of Awards | A minimum of 7, at least 1 per Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Health Region |
| Award range | $100,000-$500,000 per period of performance |
| Period of Performance | The anticipated period of performance is July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. |
| Cost-Sharing or Matching Requirement | No |
| Indirect Costs Allowed | Yes |
| Restrictions on Indirect Costs | Restrictions to indirect costs in accordance with Title 44 Part 7000. All subrecipients, excluding local educational agencies (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1) must make an indirect cost election during the application process. |
A. Description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) sets forth sets forth application requirements for Build, Amplify, Support, Empower (BASE) programs, which are evidence-informed substance use prevention programming geared toward youth and emerging adults.
A.1. Authorizing Statutes or Regulations
Awardees are required to adhere to the requirements outlined in the following:
- Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), 30 ILCS 708
- Illinois Administrative Code, Government Contracts, Title 44, Part 7000
- Grantmaking, Procurement, and Property Management, and federal regulations under Grants and Agreements, 2 CFR 200
- The requirements and policies outlined in the IDHS/SUPR Contractual Policy Manual
A.2. Background
In 2013, 1,072 people in Illinois died of an opioid overdose.1 In 2020, the number of fatal overdoses reached 2,000,2 and in 2021 and 2022, surpassed 3,000.3 The opioid overdose epidemic has accelerated nationwide. To hold companies responsible for their roles in the opioid crisis, the Illinois Attorney General has engaged in multiple investigations, lawsuits, and settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and chain pharmacies. The funds from the settlements will support recovery in communities hardest hit by the opioid crisis and throughout the state.
- The Illinois Office of Opioid Settlement Administration (OOSA) is the entity responsible for planning, administering, and managing 55% of the funds received from opioid settlements according to the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement and Executive Order 2022-19. The established processes ensure transparency and consideration of regional needs such as overdose rates, disparities created for specific
The Illinois Office of Opioid Settlement Administration (OOSA) is the entity responsible for planning, administering, and managing 55% of the funds received from opioid settlements according to the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement and Executive Order 2022-19. The established processes ensure transparency and consideration of regional needs such as overdose rates, disparities created for specific populations, and resources to address opioid related harms. The OOSA is housed within the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR).
About IDHS/SUPR
The mission of IDHS/SUPR is to provide a recovery-oriented system of care along the continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support where individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), those in recovery, and those at risk are valued and treated with dignity and where stigma, accompanying attitudes, discrimination, and other barriers to recovery are eliminated.
IDHS/SUPR is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work addresses existing institutionalized inequities, aims to create transformation, and operationalizes equity and racial and social justice. It also focuses on creating a culture of inclusivity for all, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.
A.3. Need
The funds from the settlements will support prevention efforts in communities hardest hit by the opioid crisis and throughout the state. Fund distributions must be used equitably in service areas disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis as outlined in the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement, for example, areas with the following characteristics:
- High opioid fatality rates, including
- Counties other than Cook County with a crude rate of 1.8 or greater per 100,000 people and
- Zip codes within Cook County with more than 100 overdoses (fatal and nonfatal) within the most recent year included in the Illinois Opioid Data Dashboard, http://idph.illinois.gov/opioiddatadashboard/
- Concentrated poverty, including
- Counties other than Cook County with a poverty rate greater than 12 percent and
- Zip codes within Cook County with a poverty rate greater than 12 percent, per the U.S. Census Bureau, https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/map/IL/
- Concentrated firearm violence, including communities eligible for Reimagine Public Safety Act funding, https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=144282
- Other conditions that hinder the communities from reaching their full potential for health and well-being, including counties other than Cook with a crude nonfatal overdose rate of 4.0 or greater per 100,000 people, as listed in the Illinois Opioid Data Dashboard, http://idph.illinois.gov/opioiddatadashboard/
Death from drug overdose is often associated with SUD, but even one-time use of illicit drugs can be fatal, particularly when the drug is laced with fentanyl and other substances. Approximately 88 percent of opioid-related overdose deaths involve synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl.4 Synthetic opioid overdose deaths among teenagers in Illinois increased more than 350 percent in one year.5
Experimentation is common during adolescence and emerging adulthood. This, coupled with the legal availability of alcohol, vaping, and cannabis at age 21, underscores the need for interventions to prevent and reduce substance use among this population, with particular attention to
- Non-Hispanic Black youth and emerging adults, due to the high overdose fatality rate in this racial group.
- Youth who do not consistently attend school. This population is at high risk for substance use and has limited access to school-based interventions.
- Youth who may be at risk due to other factors, such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), mental health symptoms or conditions, familial history of opioid use disorder (OUD), and neurodiversity (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
A.4. Funding Source
The Office of the Illinois Attorney General has certified—and the Governor’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee has approved—the use of up to $15 million from the Illinois Opioid Remediation State Trust Fund (Fund) for substance use prevention programming in accordance with the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement and the Fund allocation process. In April 2023, IDHS/SUPR awarded Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) grant to serve as the Regional Care Coordination Agency (RCCA). The RCCA administers subawards with organizations providing prevention, intervention, treatment, and harm reduction services for people with SUDs in accordance with state-approved strategies.
The RCCA is now accepting applications for BASE prevention programs. These programs will establish or expand substance use prevention programming geared toward youth and emerging adults. Applications will only be accepted online.
A.5. Scope of Services
BASE subrecipients will establish or expand innovative and evidence-informed programs for preventing, delaying, and reducing substance use among youth and emerging adults (ages 6–25), specifically those who:
- Identify as non-Hispanic Black,
- Do not consistently attend school, or
- Are more likely to use or misuse substances due to factors such as ACEs, mental health symptoms or conditions, familial history of OUD, and neurodiversity.
BASE prevention programs should seek to reduce or prevent one or more of the following:
- Substance use and misuse
- Stigma associated with SUD, treatment, and recovery
- Social and physical access to substances
- Harms associated with substance use and misuse, including overdose
To accomplish that goal, programs will fulfill one or more of the following objectives:
- Build awareness of substance use and associated risks and/or risk and protective factors
- Amplify access to evidence-informed community supports or to recovery and treatment
- Support capacity of regional and community groups
- Empower youth and their families, community members and school employees, or other individuals who engage with youth or communities.
With the aim of enhancing the current prevention continuum of care in Illinois, IDHS/SUPR is prioritizing “Indicated” and “Selective” programming. These are two of three domains set forth in the Institute of Prevention Model and described by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine thusly:
- Indicated programs, interventions, and activities are for individuals who are already beginning to experience the effects of a specific health outcome.
Example: Developing or promoting technology designed to help youth in recovery stay connected to their peer coaches, build meaningful connections, and overcome feelings of isolation. - Selective programs and interventions are geared toward a subset of the population that may be considered at risk.
Example: Partnering with child welfare programs to develop and implement interventions for supporting healthy transitions of youth aging out of the foster care system. - Universal prevention programs and interventions are tailored to an entire population, regardless of its members’ levels of risk.
Example: Cultivating social and peer resistance skills among college students.
Non-profit, for-profit, or tax-exempt entities located in Illinois may apply for funding one or more of the following strategies:
Strategy 1. BASE Coalitions
Supporting regional and community coalitions in establishing or expanding evidence-based prevention programming, including programs derived from and using the Strategic Prevention Framework developed by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Goals of these programs should include one or more of the following:
- Increase community members’ knowledge and awareness of substance use.
- Reduce social and physical access to substances.
- Reduce stigma associated with SUD, treatment, and recovery.
- Increase support for people in treatment or recovery.
- Increase effectiveness of coalitions in program implementation.
Example: Forming a harm reduction coalition that (a) focuses on reducing overdoses among non-Hispanic Black residents in communities disproportionately impacted by the overdose crisis, (b) prioritizes health equity, and (c) includes diverse representation, such as survivors of violence, representatives from faith-based institutions and community-based organizations, people with lived experience, family members who have lost loved ones to an overdose, etc.
Strategy 2. BASE Schools and Communities
Establishing or expanding evidence-informed prevention programs in schools or communities within high-risk areas, as identified by high substance use and high drug overdose rates. Intended recipients of programming should include one or more of the following:
- Students
- Families
- Community members
- Community-based youth organizations
- School employees
- School athletic program personnel
- Parent-teacher associations
- Student associations, including affinity groups
Goals of these programs should include one or more of the following:
- Increase awareness of substance use in the community.
- Prevent substance use.
- Increase knowledge of risk and protective factors that contribute to/inhibit the likelihood of SUD.
- Reduce stigma associated with SUD and treatment.
- Promote resources for SUD treatment, recovery, and support.
Example: Building protective factors and fostering connection among priority populations through leadership opportunities and social-emotional activities, such as art and movement.
Strategy 3. BASE Youth
Establishing or expanding evidence-based or evidence-informed prevention programs with demonstrated effectiveness in preventing drug misuse and preventing the uptake of opioids. Programs or strategies should have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing drug misuse and seem likely to be effective in preventing the uptake in the selected and indicated populations and use of opioids. Programs may be community- or school-based and should be tailored for youth and emerging adults ages 11-25, specifically:
- Youth who have not graduated from high school but do not consistently attend, and/or
- College or university populations
- Emerging adults at risk for substance misuse.
Goals of these programs should include one or more of the following:
- Increase awareness of substance use and misuse among youth and emerging adults.
- Prevent substance use.
- Reduce stigma associated with SUD and treatment.
- Promote resources for SUD treatment, recovery, and support.
Example: Integrating substance use prevention in residential centers for youth, including educating residential center staff and caregivers (if applicable).
Strategy 4. BASE Pathways
Piloting a school-based community collaboration program for parents and other caregivers seeking comprehensive support in addressing their child’s substance use-related issues. Collaborating with the school and involving multiple sectors of the community, these programs should:
- Facilitate parents’ and other caregivers’ immediate access to treatment services for their child;
- Support prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery programs focused on the child; and/or
- Facilitate connections to supportive services for the family.
Example: Piloting a school-based program with schools and law enforcement consistent with the Handle with Care model to mitigate negative effects experienced by children’s exposure to trauma.
Program Examples
Proposed programs must align with one of the strategies outlined above. The following table contains the examples listed throughout Section A.6 aligned by potential strategy. However, depending upon the population served and the implementation approach, some examples could align with multiple strategies. Innovation is encouraged and programs are not limited to the examples provided. Keep in mind that selected and indicated prevention approaches are priorities.
| Strategy | Examples | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BASE Coalitions | Forming a harm reduction coalition that (a) focuses on reducing overdoses among non-Hispanic Black residents in communities disproportionately impacted by the overdose crisis, (b) prioritizes health equity, and (c) includes diverse representation, such as survivors of violence, representatives from faith-based institutions and community-based organizations, people with lived experience, family members who have lost loved ones to an overdose, etc. |
| Supporting a youth empowerment coalition that focuses on leading environmental changes in their community. | ||
| 2 | BASE Schools and Communities | Building protective factors and fostering connection among priority populations through leadership opportunities and social-emotional activities, such as art and movement. |
| Establishing or supporting a network of community-based alternative activities and social-emotional learning opportunities across different communities that allow youth to transfer from one to another if they move or experience placement disruption. | ||
| Producing anti-stigma campaigns for students, communities, and/or families in high-risk areas. | ||
| 3 | BASE Youth | Integrating substance use prevention in residential centers for youth, including educating residential center staff and caregivers (if applicable). |
| Partnering with child welfare programs to develop and implement interventions for supporting healthy transitions of youth aging out of the foster care system. | ||
| Developing or promoting technology designed to help youth in recovery stay connected to their peer coaches, build meaningful connections, and overcome feelings of isolation. | ||
| Developing or promoting technology designed to keep youth connected to their social service providers when they experience placement instability, or to help youth build meaningful connections and reduce feelings of isolation. | ||
| Developing trauma-informed substance use prevention education to foster care system staff and foster parents. | ||
| 4 | BASE Pathways | Piloting a school-based program with schools and law enforcement consistent with the Handle with Care model to mitigate negative effects experienced by children’s exposure to trauma. |
A.6. Deliverables, Performance Measures, and Performance Standards
This section details the deliverables required and associated performance measures, standards, and potential metrics to be collected.
All subrecipients must complete Task 1 for the entire program. Subrecipients will need to complete and report on Tasks 2-4 for each funded strategy.
Task 1. Fulfill Award Administration Requirements
The subrecipient must fulfill obligations outlined in Section G., Award Administration Information, including planning, reporting, data collection, and participating in technical assistance (TA).
Task 2. Staff Program
The subrecipient must hire and train staff who reflect the diversity of the population receiving prevention programming in numbers sufficient to carry out the activities defined in the implementation plan. Inclusion of management staff is dictated by the size and scope of the prevention program.
Many variables will impact the number of FTE to be hired. Up to .1 FTE of management time may be included per 1 FTE staff. However, staffing should be justified in your application and budget narrative.
Task 3. Establish Partnerships/Collaborative Agreements
The subrecipient must establish partnerships and/or collaborative agreements (e.g., memorandum of understanding) with organizations serving youth and emerging adults, such as schools, colleges, and universities; public libraries; child welfare agencies and the foster care system; residential centers for youth; law enforcement; and shelters. A minimum of two MOUs or agreements are required. These are to be submitted post-award.
Task 4. Develop Program Evaluation Plan
Develop an evaluation plan and evaluation tool for each program/strategy. At a minimum, program participants should regularly evaluate activities. Results should be compiled and reviewed by program leadership and staff regularly and reported mid-year to the RCCA. A quality improvement plan should be developed as prescribed by the RCCA to address areas that have opportunities for growth.
Task 5. Conduct Prevention Activities
The subrecipient must deliver evidence-based or evidence-informed, culturally appropriate prevention programming as defined in the submitted implementation workplan and within the specified time frame.
Deliverables and Performance Measures
The following table details (a) the deliverables required according to the scope of services and (b) associated performance measures, standards, and potential metrics (subject to change) to be collected by task. Time periods refer to the days from the beginning of the period of performance.
| Performance Measures | Performance Standards | Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1. Fulfillment of Award Administration Requirements | ||
| (a) Complete organizational TA needs assessment survey | 100% | > TA needs assessment survey completed (30 days after distribution) |
| (b) Complete implementation and sustainability plan | 100% | > Implementation and sustainability plan created (60 days) > # milestones achieved (reported monthly) > Sustainability plan updated (Submitted with final monthly reports) |
| (c) Implement equity and racial justice plan | 100% | > Organizational assessment completed (90 days) > Plan drafted (120 days) > Plan finalized (160 days) > # milestones achieved (reported monthly) |
| (d) Report performance information | 100% | > Activities and services metrics reported (10th of each month, 10th following each quarter unless otherwise prescribed) |
| (e) Report fiscal information | 100% | > Fiscal performance reported (10th of each month) |
| (f) Participate in TTA | 75% | > # monthly calls attended > # TTA sessions attended (quarterly or as prescribed) |
| Task 2. Staff program | ||
| (a) Hire program staff (and managers, as needed.) | Fully staffed | > # FTE hired (60 days) > # staff hired > # management FTE hired |
| Task 3. Establish partnerships/collaborative agreements | ||
| (a) Develop or maintain MOUs with partners/collaborating agencies (minimum of 2) | Signed MOUs | > # MOUs or agreements signed (90 days) |
| (b) Actively participate in regional coalitions coordinated by the RCCA | 75% | > # coalition meetings attended (quarterly) |
| Task 4. Develop and implement evaluation plan | ||
| (a) Develop evaluation plan for program activities and evaluation tool | 100% | > Plan developed (60 days) > Data collection tool developed (60 days) |
| (b) Submit evaluation summary and follow-up tasks, as required | 100% | > Mid-year evaluation summary completed (180 days) |
| Task 5. Conduct prevention activities | ||
| (a) Deliver evidence-based or evidence-informed culturally appropriate prevention programming | Provide 80% of prevention activities specified in work plan | > # individuals participating in prevention activities > # activities |
B. Funding Information
- This is a new competitive subaward opportunity. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the RCCA to make an award.
- The total amount of funds available is $15,000,000 to be awarded over 3 years.
- The RCCA anticipates a minimum of 7 awards, 1 per IDPH Health Region.
- The maximum award range applied for should be $500,000 for the initial period of performance.
- The initial period of performance is expected to be 12 months. The period of performance is July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025.
- Subrecipients may be eligible to receive up to one subsequent one-year grant renewal for this program. Renewals are at the discretion of the RCCA, based on performance and sufficient appropriations.
- The source of funding for this program is the Illinois Opioid Remediation State Trust Fund.
- Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new state awards.
- Award amounts will be based on RCCA-approved budgets. Budgets must be sufficiently detailed and justified to be approved by the RCCA. Successful applicants will not receive a Notice of Award (NOA) until after their budget has been approved.
C. Eligibility
C.1. Eligible Applicants
This competitive funding opportunity is limited to applicants that meet the following requirements and are subject to limitations described below:
- Applicants must be a non-profit, for-profit, or tax-exempt entity located in Illinois.
- Applicants must be able to fulfill the scope of services detailed in this funding notice.
- Applicants must have the capacity to comply with the legal, fiscal, reporting, and programmatic requirements as described in this funding notice.
- Applicants proposing the use of program funds to provide services that require state or federal licensure must be actively licensed.
- All entities must be qualified to do business with the State of Illinois.
- Applicants must complete the pre-qualification process described in this section.
- Applicants must complete pre-award requirements described in this section.
Each application will be reviewed for completion and eligibility, and budgets will be reviewed to ensure costs are allowable, reasonable, and linked to the described objectives. Only applicants that meet these criteria will be considered for funding. All applicants that have submitted applications determined to be noncompliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be notified in writing, by email, upon determination. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.
C.2. Pre-Qualification
Per Federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and GATA, all applicants must be qualified to receive an award. An eligible organization must
- Have an active System for Award Management (gov) public account,
- Have an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number,
- Not be on the SAM.gov Exclusion List,
- Be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State (if the Illinois Secretary of State requires the entity’s organization type to be registered),
- Not be on the Illinois Medicaid Sanctions List,
- Not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List, and
To obtain the information required to achieve qualified status, complete the steps detailed in the following table.
| Step | Requirement | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Register with the State of Illinois | Be actively registered with the Illinois Secretary of State. | Illinois Secretary of State website |
| 2. Obtain a FEIN/EIN number | Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN/EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). | IRS FEIN/EIN application website |
| 3. Register for a SAM.gov account and obtain a UEI. | Register for and maintain an active System for Award Management (SAM.gov) account and obtain a 12-digit Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). | https://sam.gov/content/home |
Each applicant is required to be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application and provide a valid UEI in its application. If your organization does not yet have a UEI, request one.
Each applicant is also required to maintain an active SAM registration with current information when it has an active award, an application, or plan under consideration.
The RCCA may not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the RCCA is ready to make an award, the RCCA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.
C.3. Pre-Award Requirements
Per 2 CFR 200.332(b), the RCCA must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring. These possible conditions are included in the Notice of Award and are described in Section G.1.
The pre-award process includes establishing a risk profile through risk assessment of the organization’s financial stability, management systems and standards, history of performance, audit reports and findings, and ability to implement requirements of the award. This risk assessment is carried out with the aid of the following information:
Administrative, fiscal, and internal controls information entered in Sections 1-4 of the online application
Organizational and programmatic information in Attachments B, C, and E.
The RCCA may also request additional information during the pre-award process.
Note: Risk assessments do not preclude entities from becoming grantees. Risk assessments are used to identify subrecipient TA needs.
C.4. State and Federal Laws or Regulations
Every agency that is awarded funds through this NOFO must also agree to comply with all applicable provisions of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment, and equal employment opportunity, including but not limited to
- The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/1–101 et seq.),
- The Public Works Employment Discrimination Act (775 ILCS 10/1 et seq.),
- The U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended) (42 USC 2000a– and 2000H–6),
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794),
- The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12101 et seq.), and
- The Age Discrimination Act (42 USC 6101 et seq.).
Additionally, the agency must comply with the following:
- 45 CFR Parts 93 and 94
- The Adult Protective Services Act
C.5. Cost Sharing or Matching
Cost sharing is not required.
C.6. Indirect Cost Rate
To charge indirect costs to this grant, the applicant organization must have a federal annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) or must elect to use the de minimis rate.
Indirect Cost Rate Election
- Federally Negotiated Rate: Organizations that receive direct federal funding may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with a federal cognizant agency. The organization must provide a copy of the federal NICRA.
- De Minimis Rate: An organization may elect a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct cost (MTDC).** Once established, the de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. If programs elect to use the de minimis rate, it is critical that program budgets accurately calculate the MTDC base. Please see the regulation below and note the exclusions to MTDC.
**2 CFR § 200.68 [MTDC] states, “MTDC means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and subawards and subcontracts up to the first $25,000 of each subaward or subcontract (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards and subcontracts under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward and subcontract in excess of $25,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.”
- “No Rate”: Subrecipients have discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs. Subrecipients that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs. The organization must record an election of “No Indirect Costs” in the budget workbook.
Organizations must notify the RCCA of any changes to their previously established NICRA no later than 6 months after the close of the organization’s fiscal year.
C.7. Other Eligibility Requirements
An applicant is permitted to submit only one application in response to this funding notice.
C.8. Grant Funds Use Requirements
All awarded applicants will use grant funds according to the guidelines, conditions, and parameters set forth in this funding notice and in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of any applicable federal awards.
Please refer to 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, Part 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles to determine the appropriateness of costs in addition to the information in the following sections.
Allowable Costs
Allowable costs are those that are necessary and reasonable based on the activity contained in the Statement of Work, are justified in the Budget Narrative, and are allowable under Subpart E of 2 CFR 200. It is expected that administrative costs, both direct and indirect, will represent a small portion of the overall program budget. Any budget deemed to include inappropriate or excessive administrative costs will not be approved. Program budgets and narratives must detail how all proposed expenditures are necessary for program implementation.
Unallowable Costs
Refer to 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, Part 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles to determine the appropriateness of costs. In addition, and specific to this grant, the following costs will be unallowable without specific prior written approval:
- Entertainment costs, except where specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment have a programmatic purpose and are authorized in the approved budget (2 CFR 200.438)
- Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, including any vehicle regardless of cost, buildings, and land (2 CFR 200.439)
- Capital expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment that materially increase their value or useful life (2 CFR 200.439)
- Food and other goods or services for personal use of the grantee’s employees, contractors, or consultants unless authorized as per diem under the Illinois Governor’s Travel Control Board (2 CFR 200.445)
- Deposits for items, services, or space
- Dues to societies, organizations, or federations
- Meetings or conventions, unless directly related to the program and approved in advance by the RCCA
- Alcoholic beverages
- Cash payments to intended recipients of services
- Purchase or repair of vehicles
- Lobbying, political contributions, or compensation of a government body
- Fundraising
- Bad debt, fines, or penalties
- Personal-use items, including expenses related to personal use of vehicles
- Unallowable relocation expenses
- Related-party transactions
- Any other costs not approved in the plan and budget
Simplified Acquisition Threshold
Potential subrecipients under this funding announcement may receive an award more than the simplified acquisition threshold, currently $250,000 (refer to 2 CFR 200 Section 200.88). Therefore, the subrecipient must be aware of the following regarding the simplified acquisition threshold, as it will be applicable to any qualifying subaward:
- The grantee agency, prior to making a subaward with a total amount of funds greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently, the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).
- An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that the awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.
- The awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR 200 §200.205.
Pre-Award Costs
Pre-award costs are not allowable.
Compliance with Funding Sources
The agency awarded funds shall act in accordance with all conditions related to relevant funding sources outlined in the following:
- Opioid Settlement Agreement
- Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
- Applicable regulatory requirements such as the Illinois Substance Use Disorder Act
- Any other relevant state statutes
Third-Party Contractual Requirements
Any third-party contracts paid for using grant funds are subject to GATA requirements and the terms and conditions of the award. The subrecipient is required to include language supplied by the RCCA in contractual documents. Subcontractor agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the RCCA. The subrecipient shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the subcontractor.
Sectarian Issue
Applicant may not expend federal or state funds for sectarian instruction, worship, prayer, or to proselytize. If the applicant is a faith-based or a religious organization that offers such activities, these activities shall be voluntary for the individuals receiving services and offered separately from the program.
D. Post-Award Requirements
Successful applicants agree to provide program services as described throughout this funding notice.
Start Date
Applicants must be prepared to begin offering services starting July 1, 2024.
Site Visits
The applicant agrees to participate in site visits/quality reviews as requested by the RCCA.
Technology
Agencies awarded funds through this funding notice should have a computer that meets the following minimum specifications for the purpose of using any required web-based reporting system and the receipt/submission of the electronic program and fiscal information:
- Internet access, preferably high-speed
- Email capability
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- WebEx
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
The purchase of this technology would be an allowable expenditure under the grant and may be included in the budget as part of this application.
Hiring and Employment Policy
The RCCA encourages cultural diversity in the work environment and to promote employment opportunities through its programs. The program workforce should appropriately reflect the populations to be served, with special attention given to hiring individuals indigenous to those communities. Whenever a position becomes available, funded programs are encouraged to consider Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) clients for employment, contingent upon their qualifications (i.e., education and work experience).
COVID-19 Policies and Procedures
Applicant shall have written COVID-19 policies and procedures that align with current guidelines from their local health department, IDPH, and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Publication of Studies, Reports, and Other Program Products
The applicant agrees that products produced for the RCCA under this award, including but not limited to research reports, data, analyses, and policy recommendations are the property of the RCCA and will not be published or distributed except as prescribed by the RCCA.
E. Application and Submission Information
The following steps are recommended to successfully submit this application.
| Task | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Review the NOFO with relevant stakeholders. | Consider these questions: |
| > Does our organization meet all the applicant eligibility criteria? | ||
| > Is our organization able to effectively use these funds? | ||
| 2. | Prepare to apply. | Identify who is going to work on the different parts of the application. Take note of Sections 2 and Section 3, which may require additional time. |
| Initiate or verify pre-qualification status as soon as possible if you are not already pre-qualified. | ||
| Develop a timeline for how to respond to the NOFO and submit on time. | ||
| Create a document to develop your answers to the application questions. | ||
| Access the online application. Set up your SurveyMonkey Apply account and familiarize yourself with the platform. | ||
| 3. | Access technical assistance (TA) resources. | Register for the Technical Assistance Session. |
| Ask questions and review answers submitted by others. | ||
| 4. | Complete attachments and forms. | Download and complete the budget workbook. |
| Download and complete the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Conflict of Interest form. | ||
| Complete all other attachments. | ||
| 5. | Complete the online application. | Complete all sections of the online application. It is helpful to have all answers prepared to copy and paste into the application. Please note, you are not able to format answers to the questions within the application, so simple headings are helpful to organize your responses. |
| Ensure all applicable attachments have been uploaded. | ||
| Review and submit the application. Once submitted, no changes may be made to your application. |
E.1. Address to Request Application Package
All application materials are available on this website. Copies of all materials may be obtained by any of the following means:
- Submit a request at the IL RCCA Help Desk
- Emailing a request to ilrcca@ahpnet.com
- Calling Randi Moberly at 312-386-7505
- Mailing a request to:
- Advocates for Human Potential, Regional Care Coordination Agency, 1021 West Adams Street, Suite 303, Chicago, IL 60607
E.2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Applicants must complete the online application narrative questions and upload attachments as described in this section. Detailed application questions and associated evaluation criteria are available on the BASE Application page.
Project attachments should be PDF documents, except for the project budget, which is an Excel workbook.
Mandatory forms, including the Budget Workbook and Conflict of Interest Disclosure, are linked in Section I. Mandatory Forms.
Online Application Narrative
The application is contained in an online fillable form, hosted by SurveyMonkey Apply. Applicants must have access to the internet. Use the application link to access the online application as early as possible to make sure you can log in. Instructions to complete the fillable form are included in the online application. You will be able to work on your online application, save your work, and return to it at your convenience. However, once the application is submitted, no further changes can be made.
Sections 1-4 of the online application contain information about your organization, including fiscal, administrative, and internal controls questions. Sections 1-4 are not scored as part of the merit-based review process but are used to fulfill pre-qualification and risk assessment criteria. The remaining sections are scored for a total of 100 possible points.
Please answer questions truthfully and completely and be sure to cite the source of any data included.
| Section Title | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1. Organization Information | Basic administrative and fiscal information about your organization. | 0 |
| Section 2. Pre-qualification Information | Organizational information and attestations that verify eligibility to receive an award. | 0 |
| Section 3. Internal Controls | Administrative and management controls that inform the risk assessment that must be completed prior to NOA. | 0 |
| Section 4. Attestations | Attestations verifying capacity and truthfulness of information in the application. | 0 |
| Section 5. Executive Summary | An overview of your organization and the services you plan to deliver if awarded funding. | 5 |
| Section 6. Need and Opportunity | How the proposed work will contribute to the purpose of the project. | 35 |
| Section 7. Experience and Capacity | How your organization’s work, approach, and experience are aligned with the intent of the opioid settlement funds and the project requirements. | 30 |
| Section 8. Quality | The implementation approach and anticipated outcomes of the proposed activities to be funded by this notice. | 25 |
| Section 9. Project Budget | Project budget and advance payment request. | 5 |
| Attachment Label | Item | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | Approved NICRA (if applicable) | Defines an organization’s federally negotiated indirect cost rate |
| B | Organizational Chart* | Describes the reporting structure and roles at the organization |
| C | Organizational Budget* | Describes organizational revenues and expenditures for current fiscal year |
| D | Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and Certification* | Verifies TIN |
| E | Single Federal Audit or Financial Statement Audit (if available) | Provides assurance of internal controls to maintain grant compliance |
| F | Conflict of Interest Disclosure* | Discloses actual or potential conflicts of interest |
| G | Project Plan* | Describes the applicant’s plan to execute the award over the period of performance |
| H | Budget Workbook* | Demonstrates spending plan for subaward |
E.3. Submission Dates and Times
The online application must be completed in full and submitted by April 24, 2024, at 3:00 PM CST. The deadline will be strictly enforced. Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered for review or funding.
It is the applicant’s sole responsibility to ensure that their application has been successfully submitted and received. Upon submission, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application.
E.4. Intergovernmental Review
Not applicable.
E.5. Funding Restrictions
The applicant must develop a budget consistent with program requirements as described in Section A. Description and in accordance with Section C.6. Grant Funds Use Requirements.
E.6. Other Submission Requirements
None.
F. Application Review Information
F.1. Criteria
The scoring will be based on need, capacity, quality of the organization’s work, and other grant-specific criteria. Points available for each section are detailed in the Applications Section table in Section E.2. The points assigned to each question are available on the BASE Application page.
F.2. Review and Selection
All competitive grant applications are subject to merit-based review in accordance with 44 Ill. Admin Code 7000.350.
F.3. Evaluation Committee
Evaluation of the application will be conducted by a review committee comprising a minimum of three individuals with relevant subject matter expertise and including persons with lived experience. The committee will independently and confidentially review applications and assign a numerical rating to the questions in Sections 5–9. The scoring tool will reflect the evaluation criteria and funding priorities. Note: Evaluation committee members will not have any conflicts of interest or apparent conflicts of interest.
RCCA leadership will compile the review committee scores, facilitate communication with the review committee on any variances, document any revisions, weigh funding priority criteria, and verify that applicants have completed all pre-qualification and pre-award requirements. RCCA will then present recommendations of award finalists to IDHS/SUPR staff.
F.4. Finalist Recommendations
While the recommendation of the review panel will be a key factor in the funding decision, the RCCA maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the findings of the reviewers to be non-binding recommendations. The numerical score may not be the sole award criterion. The RCCA reserves the right to consider other factors, such as geographic distribution, demonstrated need, and agency past performance as a state grantee. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.
In the event of a tie, with insufficient funding for all tied applications, the RCCA may choose one of the following options:
- Apply one or more of the additional factors for consideration described above to prioritize the applications.
- Partially fund each of the tied applications.
- Not fund any of the tied applications.
F.5. Appeal
Competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal and shall be reviewed by the RCCA’s Appeal Review Officer (ARO).
Submission
Appeals submission contact information:
- Name of agency contact for appeals: Regional Care Coordination Agency
- Email address of agency contact for appeals: ilrccaARO@ahpnet.com
- Email Subject Line: NOFO Review Appeal
An appeal must be submitted in writing to the appeals submission contact listed above.
An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published.
The written appeal shall include, at a minimum, the following:
- Name and address of the appealing party
- Identification of the grant
- Statement of reasons for the appeal
- Supporting documentation, if applicable
Response
The RCCA will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within 14 calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
- The RCCA will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party of why additional time is needed.
- The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by the ARO within the time the ARO sets in their request.
Resolution
The ARO shall make a recommendation to the RCCA Project Director or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information.
- In determining the appropriate recommendation, the ARO shall consider the integrity of the competitive grant process and the impact of the recommendation on the RCCA.
- The RCCA will resolve the appeal by means of written determination.
- The determination shall include but not be limited to
- Review of the appeal,
- Appeal determination, and
- Rationale for the determination.
F.6. Anticipated Announcement and Award
The announcement of this award is anticipated by May 31, 2024.
G. Award Administration Information
G.1. Award Notices
Applicants recommended for funding following the review process and budget approval will receive a NOA via email to the contacts identified in the application. The NOA shall include:
- The grant award amount,
- The terms and conditions of the award, and
- Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on risk assessments and merit-based review.
NOTE: The initial budget submitted at the time of application might not be approved due to unallowable costs, errors in budget, or a difference between requested award amount and approved final award amount. The RCCA will inform the organization point of contact if the proposed budget is rejected. The RCCA cannot issue a NOA until the successful applicant has an approved budget.
Upon receipt of the NOA, selected applicants should review and make an informed decision about whether to accept the funds. The NOA must be signed by the applicant’s grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the award amount and all conditions set forth within the notice. This signed NOA is the document authorizing the RCCA to proceed with issuing an agreement. The signed NOA must be remitted to the RCCA, as instructed in the NOA. The NOA is not an authorization to begin performance.
Applicants not receiving the award will be notified.
Award Conditions
Per 2 CFR 200.332(b), the RCCA must evaluate each applicant’s risk of noncompliance and must impose additional specific award conditions as needed, based on an analysis of the following factors:
- Based on the criteria set forth in §200.206, Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants
- When an applicant or recipient has a history of failure to comply with the general or specific terms and conditions of a federal award
- When an applicant or recipient fails to meet expected performance goals as described in §200.211, Information contained in a federal award
- When an applicant or recipient is not otherwise responsible
Per 2 CFR §200.208, these conditions may include items such as the following:
- Requiring additional project monitoring
- Requiring technical or management assistance
- Establishing additional prior approvals
- Requiring additional, more detailed financial reports
- Requiring payments as reimbursements rather than advance payments
- Withholding authority to proceed to the next phase until receipt of evidence of acceptable performance within a given period of performance
More restrictive conditions may be imposed based upon the criteria set forth in Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77 § 2030.40.
The RCCA will remove conditions upon subrecipient request once it has determined that issues have been corrected.
Subaward Agreement
Upon receipt of acceptance of award, the RCCA will initiate the development of the subaward agreement and statement of work (SOW) that includes the following:
- The activities to be performed
- The time schedule
- Applicable policies and requirements (flowthrough requirements)
- Other policies and procedures to be followed
- The dollar limitation of the agreement
- Allowable costs
The primary point of contact for the organization will receive an email notification that the agreement is ready for review and signature. The signature should be returned to the RCCA as prescribed.
G.2. Payment Terms
Payments will be in accordance with Administrative Directive 01.07.01.070 Grant Payments, 2 CFR 200.302, 2 CFR 200.305, 31 CFR 205 (procedures implementing Cash Management Improvement Act and the Treasury-State Agreement (TSA)), and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120 (Governor’s Office of Management and Budget Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods). Three different award payment methods exist, namely Advance Payment, Reimbursement, and Working Capital Advance.
Advance Payment Method (Advance and Reconcile)
- Upon program approval for advance payment, an initial payment will be processed in an amount equal to the first two months’ cash requirements as reflected in the submitted Advance Payment Requirements Forecast (Cash Budget) Form.
- Subrecipients must submit monthly invoices in the format and method prescribed in the grantee’s executed Subaward Agreement. The first invoice is due after the first month of grant operations. Invoices must include only allowable incurred costs that have been paid by the grantee.
- Subsequent monthly payments will be based on each monthly invoice submitted to the grant program and will be adjusted up or down based on a comparison of actual cumulative expenditures to cumulative advance payments to date.
- Subrecipients that do not spend all advance payment amounts by the end of the grant term or that cannot demonstrate that all incurred costs were necessary, reasonable, allowable, or allocable as approved in their respective grant budget must return the funds within 45 days or be subject to grant funds recovery.
- Subrecipients may be required to submit supporting documentation for their requests at the request of and in a manner prescribed by the RCCA.
- Failure to abide by advance payment governance requirements may result in the subrecipient losing their right to advance payments.
Reimbursement Method
Subrecipients will be paid via the reimbursement method when they do not meet the requirements of 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120(b)(2), or upon a subrecipient’s request to use the reimbursement method of payment, or as stipulated in a specific condition. Subrecipients that have specific conditions noted in their NOA or Subaward Agreement for any of the following items must be paid using the reimbursement method:
- Fiscal and administrative high risk (weak internal controls)
- A history of failure to comply with general or specific terms and conditions of grant awards
- Failure to meet expected performance goals as described in 2 CFR 200.211 or their program deliverables as stated in their applicable Subaward Agreement
- Otherwise not responsible
The RCCA will disburse payments to the subrecipient based on actual allowable costs incurred as reported in the monthly financial invoice submitted for the respective month, as described below.
- Subrecipients must submit monthly invoices in a format prescribed by the RCCA in the method prescribed in the Subaward Agreement. Invoices must include all allowable incurred costs for the first and each subsequent month of operations until the end of the grant term. Invoices will be submitted to the RCCA on or before the 10th day following the end of any respective monthly invoice period. Programs must process all payments to ensure that payments can be made (subject to appropriation, cash availability, and processing by the Office of the Comptroller) within 30 calendar days after receipt of the invoice, unless the RCCA reasonably believes the request to be improper.
Working Capital Advance Method
- For subrecipients that cannot meet the requirements set forth in 2 CFR 200.302 (Financial Management), 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120(b)(1)(A)(i and ii) (Advance Payments) and other requirements as described in this Directive, if the RCCA determines that reimbursement is not feasible because the subrecipient lacks sufficient working capital, the RCCA may, in its sole discretion, provide a working capital advance to the subrecipient.
- Subrecipients may request separate working capital advance payments for each grant program awarded by the RCCA. Requests must be submitted to the RCCA on the Advance Payment Request Cash Budget tab within the Prevention Budget Workbook (Cash Budget). The Cash Budget must include monthly cash requirements for every month of the grant term. A separate request must be submitted for each grant program application. The Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) or the Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent) for the subrecipient entity must attest upon award that the cash requirements are actual expected costs.
- The RCCA will advance working capital payments to the subrecipient to cover their estimated disbursement needs for an initial period not to exceed 2 months of grant expenses. Startup costs may be approved if determined by the RCCA to be allowable.
- Subrecipients must submit monthly invoices for each of the one or two months covered by the Working Capital Advance in the format and method prescribed in the subrecipient’s executed Subaward Agreement Exhibits. The first invoice is due after the first month of grant operations. Invoices must include only allowable incurred costs that have been paid by the subrecipient.
- Subrecipients may be required to submit supporting documentation for their requests at the request of and in a manner prescribed by the RCCA.
- Working Capital Advance Payments are limited to a single occurrence per grant term.
- Following the initial period, the RCCA must reimburse the grantee for its actual cash disbursements as described in section II of this Administrative Directive.
G.3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The agency awarded funds shall provide services as set forth in the Subaward Agreement and shall act in accordance with all state and federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services. The Subaward Agreement will be modeled on the IDHS FY24 Grant Agreement and CSA Attachment C. Additional terms and conditions not specified in this section may apply.
G.4. Data and Reporting
Subrecipients shall comply with any and all federal or state data reporting requirements. Additionally, upon execution of the Subaward Agreement, subrecipients will submit the following reports as prescribed by the RCCA:
Monthly Reports
- Financial Reports: Subrecipient shall submit monthly financial reports no later than 10 days after the month ends.
- Performance Reports: Subrecipient shall submit monthly performance reports no later than 10 days after the month ends.
Quarterly Reports
- Performance Reports: Subrecipient shall submit quarterly performance reports no later than 10 days after the quarter ends. Quarters end September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30.
Close-Out Reports
- Financial Reports: Subrecipient shall submit a close-out financial report no later than 10 days after the end of the period of performance or termination.
- Performance Reports: Subrecipient shall submit a close-out performance report no later than 10 days after the end of the period of performance or termination.
Other Reporting Requirements
Additional periodic and annual performance and evaluation data may be collected as directed by the RCCA and in a format prescribed by the RCCA.
G.5. Monitoring
Subrecipients funded through this NOFO are subject to fiscal and programmatic monitoring in accordance with 2 CFR 200.332. Subrecipients must provide the RCCA access to subaward records pursuant to 2 CFR 200.337. For projects that are having delays or difficulties, monitoring will be more frequent or detailed to ensure technical assistance is provided and any issues are resolved. The RCCA may modify subawards based on performance.
G.6. TTA Participation
Participants will participate in TTA and support as identified by the RCCA, with a goal of supporting successful program implementation and promoting sustainability after the conclusion of the funding period. The TTA opportunities will be specified by the RCCA throughout the grant period and, at a minimum, will include the following:
Needs Assessment
Upon grant award, subrecipients will complete an organizational needs assessment related to funding requirements to help identify gaps and areas for growth. The RCCA will distribute the survey within 4 weeks of the beginning of the period of performance.
Implementation Plan
Subrecipients must develop an implementation plan as prescribed by the RCCA to identify specific objectives, action steps, timelines, assigned personnel, planned outcomes, and internal performance measures. The RCCA will initiate TTA to grantees for the development of their implementation plan within 4 weeks of the beginning of the period of performance. The implementation plan must be maintained throughout the period of performance.
Equity and Racial Justice Plan
Subrecipients must develop and implement or maintain a diversity, equity, and inclusion/racial justice plan that
- Reflects IDHS’s commitment to advance equity and racial justice;
- Outlines how the organization ensures equity in access to its supports/services as well as outcomes;
- Includes a plan to identify and address implicit bias in all areas of the organization, including programming; and
- Includes an equity and racial justice training plan.
Webinars and Coaching Calls
Subrecipient organizations will participate in individual and/or regional coaching calls and webinars in accordance with the program deliverables described in Section A of this NOFO and as specified in the Subaward Agreement.
TTA topics may include the following:
- Subcontracting
- Invoicing
- Reporting, data collection, and performance measures
- Implementation plans
- Equity and racial justice plans
- Topical areas of relevance to subrecipients
- Special TA as requested by individual subrecipients and/or as authorized by the RCCA
Other TTA Activities
Other TTA opportunities, such as learning collaboratives, may be required as specified in the Subaward Agreement.
G.7. Awarding Agency Contacts
For information about this NOFO, contact the RCCA Support Team at ilrcca@ahpnet.com.
H. Other Information
H.1. Obligation of Award
The release of this NOFO does not obligate the RCCA to make an award.
The RCCA reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc. These negotiations do not obligate provision of funding, nor should an applicant draw any conclusions from these negotiations about the RCCA’s intentions to fund or not fund the application.
H.2. Definitions
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): Potentially traumatic events or recurring circumstances that occur in childhood (0-17) years, including but not limited to witnessing or experiencing violence, sexual abuse; having someone in the household with an SUD, mental health condition; parental separation; family member who is incarcerated; or environmental circumstances such as poverty and trauma. ACEs influence lifelong impacts on emotional, mental, and physical health and wellbeing.
Community: A group of people who live in the same area (such as a city, town, neighborhood, tent city, or shelter).6 Services in the community are offered outside of a state-licensed or -certified facility.
Handle with Care: “A program that enables local police to notify school districts when they encounter a child at a traumatic scene, so school personnel and mental health partners can provide appropriate trauma-sensitive interventions immediately.”7
Indicated prevention: “Programs and interventions target[ing] those who are already beginning to experience the effects of a specific health outcome, such as medical control for someone with hypertension.”8
Intervention: “Activities or services that assist persons and their significant others in coping with the immediate problems of an [SUD] and in reducing their substance use. Such services facilitate emotional and social stability and involve referring persons for treatment, as needed.”.9
Neurodiversity: “The idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.”10
Outreach: “The encouragement, engagement, or re-engagement of at-risk individual(s) into treatment through community institutions, such as churches, schools, and medical facilities (as defined by the community) or through consultation with the Illinois Department of Human Services division.”11
Protective factors: Characteristics “that reduce a risk factor’s impact. Protective factors may be seen as positive countering events.”12
Risk factors: Characteristics “associated with a higher likelihood of negative outcomes.”13
Strategic Prevention Framework: An iterative model of community-based program development and maintenance set forth by SAMHSA. Accessible at https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/20190620-samhsa-strategic-prevention-framework-guide.pdf.
Selective prevention: “Programs and interventions target[ing] a subset of the population that may be considered at risk (e.g., mammograms for women with a family history of breast cancer).”14
Substance use disorder: “A treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can be moderate to severe.”15
Universal prevention: “Programs and interventions, such as seat belt laws or immunization programs, target[ing] an entire population, regardless of its members’ levels of risk.”16
Youth and emerging adults: Individuals who are of age 6 and older, up to age 24.
H.3. Applicant TA
The following resources provide information on TA, guidance on the process of completing the application process, and developing the services funded by this funding notice.
Pre-Qualification and Pre-Award Resources
- IDHS Pre-Qualification Instructions and Resources provide helpful information about the completion of pre-qualification and pre-award activities.
TA Session
- Attend or listen to the TA session (recommended, but not required).
Submit Questions and Review Answers
Submit questions to the RCCA Help Desk or by email to ilrcca@ahpnet.com with the subject line “BASE” no later than April 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. CST.
Questions and answers will be posted on the Illinois Opioid Settlements Initiative website. Questions will be updated weekly by Friday at 3:00 p.m. CST. It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor that website and comply with any instructions or requirements relating to the NOFO.
H.4. Relevant Websites
I. Mandatory Forms
I.1. Budget Workbook
Subrecipients must use the Budget Workbook Template to submit their project budget and advance payment request. Both the template and the required tables in the budget are available on the Budget page.
The budget and narrative must tie fiscal activity to program objectives and deliverables and must demonstrate that all proposed costs are reasonable and necessary, allocable, and allowable as defined by program regulatory requirements and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), as applicable.
Verification of final approved budgets will be required by either the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) or Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent) for the entity. The executive must certify that their entity complies with the requirements set forth in 2 CFR 200.302 (Financial Management) and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120(b)(i)(A) (Advance Payments).
I.2. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures
Subrecipients must immediately disclose in writing to the RCCA any actual or potential conflict of interest as soon as it becomes known, in accordance with 30 ILCS 708/35, 30 ILCS 708/60(a)(5), 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.330(f) and the Subaward Agreement. This disclosure must be submitted for the Subrecipient and all subrecipients or pass-through entities, whenever an actual or potential conflict may exist. Subrecipients have a continuing obligation to disclose to the RCCA financial or other interests (public, private, direct, or indirect) that may be a potential conflict of interest or could prohibit the Subrecipient from entering or continuing the programs for which the grant is intended. The IDHS Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure must be completed, signed, and returned by all subrecipient organizations.
References
[1] Illinois Department of Public Health. (November 23, 2023). Opioid Data Dashboard. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from http://idph.illinois.gov/opioiddatadashboard/.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Illinois Department of Public Health. (March 2022). State of Illinois Overdose Action Plan. Retrieved February 1, 2024 from https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27896/documents/By_Division/SUPR/State-of-Illinois-Overdose-Action-Plan-March-2022.pdf.
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). The Drug Overdose Epidemic: Behind the Numbers. Retrieved February 6, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/data/index.html#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20overdose%20deaths,times%20the%20number%20in%201999.&text=Overdoses%20involving%20opioids%20killed%20more,those%20deaths%20involved%20synthetic%20opioids.
[5] Illinois Department of Public Health. (February 2023). Statewide Semiannual Opioid Report. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/topics-and-services/opioids/idphdata/idph-statewide-semiannual-opioid-report-02-2023.pdf.
[6] The Britannica Dictionary. (n.d.). Community. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/community.
[7] Salud America! (n.d.). FAQ Handle with Care. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://salud-america.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/HWC-FAQ-Updated.pdf
[8] The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine. (2020). Promoting Positive Adolescent Health Behaviors and Outcomes: Thriving in the 21st Century. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/25552/Prevention%20Models%20-%20FINAL.pdf.
[9] Illinois General Assembly. (2003). Administrative Code, Title 77, 2060.103(d). Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/077020600A01030R.html.
[10] Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). What Is Neurodiversity? Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645#:~:text=Neurodiversity%20describes%20the%20idea%20that%20people%20experience%20and,behaving%2C%20and%20differences%20are%20not%20viewed%20as%20deficits.
[11] Illinois Department of Human Services. (n.d.). Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Contractual Policy Manual FY 2024. https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=149483. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=149483.
[12] SAMHSA. (n.d.) Risk and Protective Factors. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/20190718-samhsa-risk-protective-factors.pdf
[13] Ibid.
[14] The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine. (2020). Promoting Positive Adolescent Health Behaviors and Outcomes: Thriving in the 21st Century. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/25552/Prevention%20Models%20-%20FINAL.pdf.
[15] National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Substance Use and Co-occurring Mental Disorders. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health.
[16] The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine. (2020). Promoting Positive Adolescent Health Behaviors and Outcomes: Thriving in the 21st Century. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/25552/Prevention%20Models%20-%20FINAL.pdf.