Key for Acquisition Type (alpha order):
RFA = Request for Application
RFB = Request for Bid
RFI = Request for Information
RFP = Request for Proposal
The Division of Care and Treatment Services is seeking applications for funding to support individuals from Milwaukee County transitioning from prison or jail who face a range of behavioral, social, and economic challenges. Specifically, some of these challenges include but are not limited to substance use, mental health, physical health, social isolation, complex trauma, unemployment, and environmental factors.
The Prisoner Reintegration Program is under Wis. Stat. § 46.48(8). Under this authorization, DHS developed an application process to award funds to organizations to assist individuals reentering Milwaukee County.
Recipients of this funding will provide qualified staff, such as a case manager, certified peer specialist, or both, offering program participants individualized support and assistance with referral to community services. This could include but is not limited to housing, substance use/mental health counseling, employment assistance, transportation, educational, community engagement, health care, and family reunification. The reentry plan may consist of goals and objectives and challenges or barriers to achieve the goals and objectives.
Recipients of this funding must collaborate with prisons and jails to coordinate release dates and meet with program participants within 48 hours of release. The coordination of care with community partners from pre- to post-release increases the likelihood of achieving successful community adjustment, creating prosocial relationships, minimizing substance use, and reducing recidivism.
The following items are required for applications for this funding opportunity:
- Description of the overall design of the program’s services provided pre- and post-release and how that design promotes improved outcomes for participants thus reducing recidivism.
- Efforts that will be made to engage with institution and jail staff to ensure timely reentry preparation that includes releases of information and collaboration.
- Screening tool(s) used to determine a participant’s level of need.
- List of resources and services for participants post-release and a description of the referral process to said services. This may include but is not limited to housing, financial literacy, employment assistance, substance use, mental health services, health care, nutrition, education, and community engagement.
- Structure of the case management team to include job duties and responsibilities, with information that notes whether a case manager, certified peer support specialist, or similar qualified candidate will provide services through the transition from release to the community. This structure should outline the conditions for successful discharge or behavioral termination from the program.
Eligible applicants
- A nonprofit organization doing business in Wisconsin OR
- A federally recognized Tribal nation in Wisconsin OR
- A county in Wisconsin
Eligibility requirements are mandatory as of the date the applicant applies.
Application deadline
December 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Estimated number of awards
1
Estimated award amount(s)
$125,000 per year
Total funding available
$625,000
Anticipated length of funding opportunity
5 years
Anticipated contract dates
March 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027
January 1, 2028 – December 31, 2028
January 1. 2029 – December 31, 2029
January 1, 2030 – December 31, 2030Renewal of the contract each year will be based upon the awardee’s satisfactory performance, satisfactory completion of annual deliverables and grant expectations, audit findings, and the availability of funds.
Match requirement
None
Funding source
General purpose revenue
Written questions due
December 4, 2025
Submit written questions about this funding opportunity to DHSDCTSBPTRFundingOpportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov with the subject line of Prisoner Reintegration Program.
Answers posted
December 10, 2025 (estimated)
Award/denial notification timeline
February 14, 2026 (estimated)
Award statement
Award(s) will be made to responsive and responsible applicant(s) that:
- Attains the highest scored application.
- Best meets the needs of the population of focus.
- Best meets the needs of the people within the state, as determined by DHS.
Application requirements
Applications must include responses to the statements in the narrative response section. There is a five-page narrative response maximum. Any information after the page limit will not be read, reviewed, nor scored for this funding opportunity.
Applications must also include the following additional documents:
- IRS Form W-9 (PDF).
- DCTS Summary Line item Budget: Condensed, F-01601C (Excel)
- Organizational chart
- Position description for each position directly involved with this program
The additional documents do not count toward the five-page narrative response page limit.
Application scoring rubric
Applications are read, reviewed, and scored by an evaluation team using the 100-point scale listed below. For sections with a higher point value, more detail in the response may be needed.
- Program design: 30 points
- Capacity: 10 points
- Experience and knowledge: 10 points
- Required documents: 5 points
- Grant priorities: 45 points total
- Priority one: 15 points
- Priority two: 15 points
- Priority three: 15 points
Narrative response
The narrative response describes how you will address the purpose of this funding opportunity. The narrative response must:
- Use a page size of 8.5” x 11”
- Use a black font size of at least 11-point
Arial and Times New Roman are the recommended fonts for the narrative response.
The narrative response is a required component of your application. It must be organized into the following sections.
Maximum points available for this section: 30
Describe how the program requirements will be met.
- Address the needs of the population of focus, individuals reintegrating to Milwaukee County following reentry.
- Approach or philosophy towards the issue(s) this grant seeks to address which should include the following elements:
- Outreach and early identification: Describe outreach services and the process of how your agency will identify participants who may need services. Include the following information:
- Identify the services needed for participants for a successful transition.
- Example(s) of community resources and contact information that offer services for participants that are in Milwaukee County.
- How the reentry staff will strive to complete all reentry plans within 48 hours of a participant’s release.
- Screening process: Identify the procedure for confirming an individual is eligible for services and confirming they are a Milwaukee County resident.
- Partnership/contractor collaborations: Describe any potential contractors or partnerships used to provide services, including:
- Specific names and contact information for each agency along with services offered.
- The process of obtaining releases of information prior to establishing services.
- How potential contractors/partners for this work will be identified if they will be part of the program but not yet identified.
- How various fiscal resources are shared or assigned to this project to ensure there is no supplanting between funding sources.
- Outreach and early identification: Describe outreach services and the process of how your agency will identify participants who may need services. Include the following information:
Maximum points available for this section: 10
The capacity to do the work and meet the program requirements is different from the experience doing the work.
Describe capacity to implement the program design.
- List new or existing staff positions that will work under this grant and the anticipated full-time equivalents for each position.
- If hiring new positions, describe the recruitment process and the anticipated timeline.
- Describe how the agency will ensure the program continues if there is turnover in staff.
- Describe other resources/partnerships and their role in ensuring success of this program.
If subcontractor(s) will be used to perform activities to achieve program goals, describe:
- The extent of the relationship.
- How the subcontractor(s) capacity relates to the overall ability to implement this program.
- Roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the subcontractor(s).
- Experience managing and monitoring subcontractor(s).
Maximum points available for this section: 10
Describe experience with, and/or knowledge similar to, this program.
- Providing services, conducting activities, and/or fulfilling requirements.
- Building relationships with and/or working with the population(s) of focus or similar population(s).
- Collecting and using data or other information to determine if your efforts had an impact.
- Hiring and supervising staff with specialized knowledge or licensure.
Describe the relevant training and professional development staff and/or subcontracted staff will receive over the anticipated total funding period.
Maximum points available for this section: 45 total
For each priority, describe the:
- Objectives: Measurable and time-bound efforts to achieve the priority.
- Activities: Specific steps you will take to meet the objectives.
- Timelines: When you anticipate starting and finishing each activity.
- Measurable impact: Describe how you will measure or demonstrate a desirable outcome is being achieved for the priority (for example, data source(s) or measurements that will be used, surveys of clientele, etc.).
Priority one
Maximum points available for priority one: 15 points
Recipients of this funding will create a supportive environment to individuals adjusting to community reentry by providing case management both prior and following release.
Applicants should explain how they intend to:
- Meet with participants prior to release.
- Obtain resources and make services available to participants in Milwaukee County.
- Process of connecting with participants.
- Provide case management services throughout the duration of the program.
Priority two
Maximum points available for priority two: 15 points
Recipients of this funding will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with state criminal justice networks and community-based organizations, as evidenced by the ability to create and sustain steady referral sources to the reintegration program.
Applicants should explain:
- The method of communication and how often contact will be made.
- If the relationship is not established, describe activities that will be done to begin a connection for referrals.
- How to identify common goals amongst likewise agencies, the reentry team, and the participant to strengthen a collaborative effort and implement said goals in the community.
Priority three
Maximum points available for priority three: 15 points
Recipients of this funding will assist participants to connect and successfully reintegrate into the community by connecting participants with wraparound services and supportive networks that promote long term stability and independence.
Wraparound services include but are not limited to:
- Housing: Referrals to affordable housing options or assistance with navigating the housing market.
- Employment assistance: Assistance in job training opportunities, resume writing assistance, interview skill coaching, assistance with job placement.
- Health care: Assistance in accessing substance and or mental health treatment, annual physicals, dentists’ appointments, and assistance in navigating the health care system.
- Family reunification: Offer family counseling, support groups or family, youth services.
- Financial literacy: Offer budget or financial classes, money management.
- Education: Provide resources for participants to complete their GED, enroll in vocational training, or pursue a higher education.
- Community engagement: Encourage prosocial behaviors, social skill building activities, spiritual or support group events, volunteer work and exploring community resources that support physical and mental well-being.
Applicant should explain:
- How often the participant will be meet individually with the reentry team.
- The procedure for determining frequency of meetings.
- The process for meeting with a multidisciplinary team.
- The process by which referrals are made to appropriate wraparound services and reasoning behind such referrals.
Reporting requirements
Recipients of this funding are required to follow all reporting requirements defined by DHS, including:
- Performance reporting completed two times in the year with due dates that will be set in writing.
- Expense reporting forms submitted monthly in a format approved by DHS.
- Data submitted for the following:
- Number of people screened, enrolled, and served by the program.
- Number of people who withdrew or were terminated from the program.
- Number/percent of people who successfully completed the program.
Application submission
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. December 30, 2025.
Applications must include the narrative response and the additional documents outlined in the application requirements section.
By submitting an application, the applicant acknowledges the statements on the Grant Funding Opportunities: Legal Definitions and Requirements page.
Submit applications to DHSDCTSBPTRFundingOpportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov with the subject line Prisoner Reintegration Program.