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 recovery housing for adults 18-24 who have an opioid and/or stimulant use disorder.
Recovery residences are home-like, residential environments that promote healthy recovery from a substance use disorder and support people recovering from a substance use disorder through the use of peer recovery support.
Recovery housing provides the support needed for young people to transition from adolescence into adulthood with the assistance of services such as peer support, care coordination, and assistance navigating the challenges at this stage of life. Studies suggest that individuals in this age group respond to brief treatment and service models and innovative approaches (Source: Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment). Recovery housing models place an emphasis on choice and self-determination; provide access to voluntary, individualized services and flexible supports; make peer support available while valuing the role of the peer; provide opportunities for social connection; and have a recovery orientation, including support for trauma recovery (Source: SAMHSA). The fourth edition of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM) Continuum of Care, published in October of 2023, added an additional level of care, recovery residence (Source: ASAM Criteria). The addition of this level of care recognizes the importance of a supportive living environment to support clinical services.
This funding will increase support services provided for adults 18-24 with opioid and/or stimulant disorders by:
- Educating, developing, and promoting a modeled approach for recovery housing to be an element of the integrated continuum of care model within the Wisconsin substance use services system.
- Identifying service gaps and areas of improvement to better serve the young adult population.
- Establishing a recovery housing model framework to best serve young adults in Wisconsin.
Preference will be given to:
- Applicants using peers and other supports with experience working with adults 18-24.
- Programs with established relationships to Tribal nation, county, and/or community treatment programs.
Eligible applicants
Established recovery residences listed on and in compliance with the guidelines of the Wisconsin's Recovery Residence Registry that are:
- A nonprofit organization doing business in Wisconsin OR
- An agency from federally recognized Tribal nations in Wisconsin OR
- A public agency in Wisconsin
Eligibility requirements are mandatory as of the date the applicant applies.
Application deadline
December 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Estimated number of awards
Up to three awards
Estimated award amount(s)
Up to $500,000 per recipient
Total funding available
$500,000
Anticipated length of funding opportunity
One year
Anticipated contract dates
January 1, 2026-September 29, 2026
Match requirement
None
Funding source
State Opioid Response Grant
Written questions due
November 26, 2025
Submit written questions about this funding opportunity to DHSDCTSBPTRFundingOpportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov with the subject line of Recovery Housing for Transition-Aged Adults.
Answers posted
December 3, 2025 (estimated)
Award/denial notification timeline
January 7, 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)
- Documentation of current status on the Wisconsin Recovery Residence Registry per Wis. Stat. 46.234(4)
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: 40 points
- Capacity: 20 points
- Experience and knowledge: 25 points
- Sustainability: 10 points
- Required documents: 5 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
Times New Roman and Arial are the recommend 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: 40
Describe how the program requirements will be met.
- Address the priorities of the funding opportunity:
- Educating, developing, and promoting a modeled approach for recovery housing to be an element of the integrated continuum of care model within the Wisconsin substance use services system.
- Identifying service gaps and areas of improvement to better serve the young adult population.
- Establishing a recovery housing model framework to best serve young adults in Wisconsin.
- Describe the geographic area and population intended to be served, including proposed number of individuals served.
- Identify and address the needs of the population of focus.
- Apply the agency’s approach or philosophy towards the support needed among transition-aged adults to achieve recovery from opioid and/or stimulant use disorder.
- Describe outreach efforts to young adults.
- Describe evaluation strategies that will be used to determine if the program design and delivery are effective.
Allowable activities include providing:
- Dedicated care coordinators to assist in navigating various service sectors including substance use treatment and family-based treatment.
- Recovery support services including recovery coaching/peer support, vocational training, employment support, transportation, and other recovery supports.
Maximum points available for this section: 20
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 the agency will be 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: 25
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.
If subcontractor(s) will be used to perform activities to achieve program goals, describe their experience with, and/or knowledge about:
- Providing services, conducting activities, and/or fulfilling the program 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 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: 10
Describe how services and supports provided by the program will continue long term when the contract term ends.
Reporting requirements
Recipients of this funding are required to follow all reporting requirements defined by DHS, including:
- Performance reporting must be completed two times in the year with due dates that will be stipulated in writing by DHS.
- Expense reporting forms must be submitted monthly in a format approved by DHS.
- Performance data, per the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act (GPRAMA) of 2010, must be collected by each invited program participant in a data collection survey at three to four points: intake, follow-up, annual, and discharge.
- State Opioid Response/Tribal Opioid Response Program Instrument must be completed quarterly.
Application submission
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. December 9, 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: Recovery Housing for Transition-Aged Adults.