Peer Recovery Centers

Maximum points available for this section: 25

Applicants must describe how the proposed peer recovery center will operate and how the program design will meet the program purpose and program requirements of this funding opportunity.

Applicants must:

• Describe how the program is peer-led, including how individuals with lived experience are involved in leadership and decision-making.
• Describe the services and activities that will be offered.
• Describe how the environment will be welcoming, accessible, and inclusive.
• Describe how the program will engage the local recovery community.
• Describe how services will be maintained, strengthened, or developed over time. This may include maintaining current services, improving existing activities, or introducing new approaches.
• Describe how individuals will be supported in exploring, preparing for, or pursuing peer support roles.

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. Capacity refers to the applicant’s current readiness to operate a peer recovery center and to build additional leadership, workforce development, and collaboration capacity over the five-year funding period. Applicants are not required to have full workforce preparation systems currently in place but should demonstrate a strong operational foundation and a plan to grow capacity over time.

Applicants must:

• Describe the staffing and/or volunteer structure.
• Describe the setting where services will be provided and how the environment supports peer-led recovery support services.
• Describe how day-to-day operations will be managed.
• Describe key partnerships or supports that contribute to program success.
• Describe how services will continue during staff or volunteer changes.

If subcontractor(s) will be used to perform activities to achieve program goals, describe their role.

Maximum points available for this section: 20

In this section, applicants must describe relevant experience and knowledge that demonstrate readiness to operate a peer recovery center and support the gradual expansion of leadership, workforce development, and collaboration activities.

Responses should demonstrate experience providing peer recovery support services and an understanding of how services, partnerships, and workforce pathways may grow over time.

Applicants must describe relevant experience and knowledge:

• Providing peer support or similar services.
• Working with the population of focus.
• Building community partnerships.
• Supporting recovery or peer-led activities.
• Supporting leadership development or helping individuals explore peer roles.

If subcontractor(s) will be used, describe the subcontractor’s relevant experience and knowledge related to providing peer support services or similar programs.

Maximum points available for this section: 30

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.
• Timeline: When you anticipate starting and finishing each activity.
• Measurable impact: How will you 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.).

Applicants must develop a plan that aligns with the priorities outlined in this section. The priorities represent key outcomes peer recovery centers will work toward during the five-year grant period.

Required response structure:

• For each priority, applicants must select one objective.
• For each selected objective, applicants must provide two activities.
• Each activity must include a timeline and measurable impact.

Priority one

Maximum points available for priority one: 10

Peer recovery centers will increase access to and participation in peer-led recovery support services by providing a welcoming, inclusive, and community-based environment.

Objectives (select one)

• The peer recovery center will provide a consistent schedule of peer-led services that are facilitated or guided by individuals with lived experience.
• The peer recovery center will implement outreach and engagement strategies that increase participation in peer-led services among the local recovery community.
• The peer recovery center will create and maintain a welcoming, inclusive environment that reflects peer support values and supports accessibility for participants.
• The peer recovery center will use participant input to adapt services and ensure activities remain relevant and responsive to community needs.
• The peer recovery center will collaborate with community partners to increase awareness of and access to peer recovery support services.

Priority two

Maximum points available for priority two: 10

Peer recovery centers will develop and implement opportunities for individuals to explore, prepare for, and pursue peer support roles through skill-building, volunteer, or employment pathways.

Objectives (select one)

• The peer recovery center will provide opportunities for individuals to learn about peer support roles through peer-led discussions, activities or informational sessions.
• The peer recovery center will offer opportunities for individuals to develop and practice skills relevant to peer support through volunteer roles, mentorship, or group activities.
• The peer recovery center will connect individuals to peer support training, certification, or employment opportunities through partnerships or referrals.
• The peer recovery center will provide opportunities for individuals to take on peer leadership or facilitation roles within the peer recovery center to build confidence and applied experience.
• The peer recovery center will support individuals in identifying and pursuing goals related to peer support involvement or employment.

Priority three

Maximum points available for priority three: 10

Peer recovery centers will build and strengthen partnerships with behavioral health providers and community-based organizations to improve access to employment opportunities, recovery supports, and services.

Objectives (select one)

• The peer recovery center will implement coordinated referral processes with partner organizations to support access to employment opportunities, recovery supports, and services.
• The peer recovery center will collaborate with partners to create or support opportunities for individuals to explore, prepare for, or access peer support roles or employment.
• The peer recovery center will provide information, education or engagement opportunities to partners to increase understanding of peer recovery support services and workforce pathways.
• The peer recovery center will participate in community-based meetings, events, or collaborative efforts to improve coordination of services and increase access to recovery supports, services, and employment opportunities.
• The peer recovery center will engage partners in ongoing collaboration efforts to address barriers to accessing recovery support, services, or employment opportunities.

Maximum points available for this section: 5

The following documents must be submitted with the narrative response:

• IRS Form W-9.
• DCTS Summary Line item Budget: Condensed, F-01601C (Excel), outlining the costs for the first year.
• Peer board member attestation verifying that at least 51% of the organization’s governing board members identify as peers.

  • Each board member identified as a peer must sign an attestation confirming they:

     

    • Serve as a member of the organization’s governing board, and
    • Identify as a peer with lived experience related to mental health and/or substance use recovery. No medical diagnosis nor personal disclosure is required.
  • The attestation must include:
    • The total number of board members.
    • The number of board members who identify as peers.
    • The name and role of each peer board member.
    • The signature and date for each peer board member.

The required documents do not count toward the eight-page narrative response page limit.

Question 1: Please provide the specifics for reporting requirements.

Answer 1: Awarded organizations will be required to submit both performance reports and monthly expense reports.

• Performance Reports: Performance reports must be submitted twice per year using forms and instructions provided by DHS. Reports are due no later than 30 calendar days following the end of each reporting period:
  • October 1 – March 31: Report due by April 30
  • April 1 – September 30: Report due by October 30

Performance reports will include information related to the priorities, objectives, activities, projected outcomes, and performance measures identified in the approved work plan. Organizations will report on activities completed, progress made toward projected outcomes, and outcomes achieved during the reporting period.

• Expense Reports: Expense reports must be submitted monthly using a DHS-approved cost tracking workbook that will be provided at the beginning of each contract funding cycle. This workbook reflects the approved budget and includes monthly reporting tabs for documenting expenditures by budget category. Additional instructions and submission requirements will be provided by DHS upon contract execution.

Question 2: Does DHS require peer recovery centers to operate from a single dedicated physical location, or may organizations provide services through community-based, partnership-driven models that utilize multiple locations, outreach settings, recovery housing environments, public meeting spaces, and community organizations?

Answer 2: DHS does not require peer recovery centers to operate from a single dedicated physical location. Applicants may propose a community-based, partnership-driven service model that utilizes multiple community spaces, outreach settings, collaborative locations, and other service environments. Regardless of the model proposed, applicants must demonstrate how the proposed services, activities, and settings align with the program requirements and priorities outlined in the funding opportunity.

Question 3: Can organizations operating under a fiscal sponsorship arrangement, organizations pursuing nonprofit status, or for-profit entities with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor apply for this funding opportunity?

Answer 3: According to the funding opportunity, eligible applicants must be a peer-run, nonprofit organization. The nonprofit organization receiving the grant funding must be listed on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website at the time of application, and the applicant's IRS Form W-9 will be used to verify nonprofit status. Eligibility requirements are mandatory as of the application submission date.  

Question 4: Are organizations encouraged to describe plans for gradual development and expansion of peer recovery center services over the five-year funding period, even if all programming elements are not fully developed at the time of application?

Answer 4: Yes. Applicants may describe plans for the development and expansion of peer recovery center services over the five-year funding period. Applications will be evaluated according to the requirements, priorities, and scoring criteria outlined in the funding opportunity.

Question 5: Would peer workforce development activities such as mentorship, volunteer opportunities, leadership development, peer role exploration, and exposure to peer support career pathways align with the intent of the workforce development component of this grant?

Answer 5: The funding opportunity requires applicants to support peer workforce pathways by offering opportunities to explore, prepare for, or pursue peer roles. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the proposed activities align with the requirements, priorities, and scoring criteria outlined in the funding opportunity.

Question 6: Are organizations permitted to use grant funding for operational support related to peer recovery center coordination, outreach, transportation support, recovery community activities, and peer-led programming?

Answer 6: Applicants may include costs necessary to carry out the proposed activities described in their application. Proposed activities and budgets will be evaluated according to the requirements, priorities, and scoring criteria outlined in the funding opportunity. Final approved expenditures will be determined through the contracting process.

Question 7: Does DHS have recommendations regarding how applicants should demonstrate community engagement and peer-led organizational culture within the narrative response?

Answer 7: DHS does not provide recommendations regarding how to respond to narrative questions. Applicants should respond to the questions as written and provide information relevant to the requirements, priorities, and scoring criteria outlined in the funding opportunity.

Question 8: Is there any preference given to organizations serving rural or underserved communities with limited access to peer support and recovery-oriented services?

Answer 8: DHS does not provide additional scoring preference for organizations based solely on serving rural or underserved communities. Applications will be evaluated according to the requirements, priorities, and scoring criteria outlined in the funding opportunity.

Question 9: What individual qualifications are required to qualify for this grant, such as criminal background, credit history, business ownership, degrees, or credentials?

Answer 9:  This funding opportunity is not awarded to individuals. Eligibility is determined based on the applicant organization meeting the requirements outlined in the funding opportunity. Applicants should review the program requirements section of the funding opportunity for additional information. All eligibility requirements must be met at the time of the application submission date.