WHYY: Temple University Receives $500,000 Grant to Make Technology More Accessible to People With Disabilities
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Biden Signs Mental Health and SUD Funding Bill Into Law
President Biden signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 into law on March 23. This Act includes the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Notable FY 2024 funding totals for mental health and substance use include:
- $385 million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (level with FY 2023);
- $986,532,000 for the Mental Health Block Grant, which includes maintaining the existing 5% of the total set aside for evidence-based crisis care programs that address the needs of individuals with serious mental illnesses, children with serious emotional disturbances, or individuals experiencing a mental health crisis (level with FY 2023);
- $153 million for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program, including $40 million for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (level with FY 2023);
- $1,575,000,000 for State Opioid Response Grants (level with FY 2023); and
- $1,928,879,000 for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grants (level with FY 2023).
Additionally, key provisions of the Act include an $18 million increase in funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and a $1 million increase for the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration grant technical assistance program. There is also a $75 million increase for mental health research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health. Various mental health and substance use programs maintained funding levels similar to those of FY 2023. For more information, you can access the full explanatory text as well as the comparative highlights table.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
DDAP Announces Funding for SUD Drop-In Centers
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced the availability of $6.5 million in funding to expand drop-in center services for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) across Pennsylvania.
Drop-in centers provide a safe, judgment-free place for people to receive daily essentials, engage with staff to learn about the possibility of recovery and treatment options, and, when ready, get connected to those services. They also provide harm reduction and recovery support services.
Eligible applicants, including existing community organizations, single county authorities, and DDAP-licensed treatment providers, can find the grant application online. Approximately eight grants of up to $750,000 will be awarded.
Some examples of services provided by drop-in centers include but are not limited to:
- Harm-reduction for substance use by incorporating overdose prevention and legally permissible harm reduction efforts into existing services;
- Addressing social determinants of health through the provision of daily essentials;
- Access to care and case management systems;
- Access to free healthcare including wound care, Hepatitis C/HIV testing, reproductive healthcare, and dental care;
- Referrals to SUD level of care assessments, treatment, including medication for opioid use disorder, behavior health resources, case management services, benefits services, and legal services;
- Survival resources such as shelter and warmth or cooling;
- Public restrooms, shower, and laundry facilities;
- Clothing and hygiene product distribution;
- Mail services;
- Professionally facilitated support groups which offer education, emotional and social support, practical help, and more; and
- Advocacy and other supportive services required to navigate complex issues impacting special populations.
DDAP is placing a focus on health equity as a part of this grant opportunity. Applicants must include a description of their current engagement with diverse populations, including communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and those residing in rural and urban settings, and provide detailed information about how the project will engage and provide access to these diverse populations.
All applications must be submitted electronically by 12:00 pm on Friday, April 12, 2024. Applications will be competitively reviewed and scored based upon the applicant’s adherence to the funding announcement guidelines and a timely submission to DDAP.
Funding for these grants is provided from the opioid settlement funding that was appropriated to DDAP by the General Assembly for the 2023/24 fiscal year.
Questions regarding the grants and the application process should be forwarded via email.
OVR Issues Request for Proposals for SWTCIE Grant
A Request for Proposals (Solicitation/Project#:6100060351) for a single contract in the eastern region of Pennsylvania with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) for the PA SWTCIE Grant’s InVEST Project has been issued. Interested parties should access information regarding this opportunity on the PA eMarketplace website.
The InVEST Project is seeking to increase competitive integrated employment outcomes for individuals who are engaged, or are considering engagement, in subminimum wage employment. The project is funded through the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Grant, a federal model demonstration grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (PR Award # H421D220003).
DDAP and DCED Announce Funding for Recovery Houses
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) have announced a nearly $300,000 grant opportunity for licensed recovery houses. The grants, capped at $50,000 each, aim to facilitate physical upgrades to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Eligible recovery house facilities can apply for health and safety enhancements, covering aspects such as demolition, rehabilitation, and environmental remediation. The application period will be open until funds are exhausted. For more details, including the application form, a comprehensive understanding of the competitive grant process, and federal application requirements, visit DDAP’s website.
Shapiro-Davis Administration Announces School Safety and Security Grant
The Shapiro-Davis Administration has announced a $155M School Safety and Security Grant for K-12 schools, with a focus on mental health support, as part of the 2023/24 state budget. The grants cover noncompetitive School Mental Health Grants, formula-based School Safety and Security Meritorious Grants, and Competitive School Safety and Security Grants. To apply and access information, including eligibility criteria, visit PCCD’s School Safety and Security web page. The application period ends on February 29, 2024. The funds aim to address basic safety needs and mental health services, as outlined in the Committee’s Revised Baseline Criteria Standards. For inquiries, please contact PCCD staff. Funding is facilitated through House Bill 301 in the 2023/24 state budget. For any other questions, contact RCPA Mental Health Policy Director Jim Sharp.
PA L&I Announces Availability of $2.8M in Grant Funding to Improve Job Quality for Direct Care Workers
On January 8, 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced the availability of $2.8M in reemployment funds for the Direct Care Worker Job Quality (DCWJQ) Grant. The grant funding is to be used to boost PA’s direct care workforce by improving job quality and increasing career advancement opportunities. Applicants may request awards of up to $600,000 each.
Additional information about this funding is posted on the L&I grant opportunity web page. This information includes the grant itself, the application form, project summary, budget form, and the Worker Protection and Investment Certificate form.
The application deadline for the DCWJQ Grant is February 29, 2024, at 4:00 pm ET.
Request for Proposals for Contract With OVR for the PA SWTCIE Grant’s InVEST Project Reissued
This is a reminder that the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a statewide contract with Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) for the PA SWTCIE Grant’s InVEST Project has been reissued. Interested parties should access information regarding this opportunity on the PA eMarketplace website.
Any questions regarding the RFP and/or BDISBO requirements must be submitted in writing via JAEGGER. Responses will be posted in writing via JAEGGER.
The deadline for proposal submission is Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 3:00 pm.
FFY 2024/25 CMHSBG Application Now Open for Public Comment
OVR Re-Issues SWTCIE InVEST Project’s Request for Proposals
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for a statewide contract with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for its PA SWTCIE Grant InVEST Project has been re-issued. Interested parties should access information regarding this opportunity here.
The InVEST Project is seeking to increase competitive integrated employment outcomes for individuals who are engaged, or are considering engagement, in subminimum wage employment. The project is funded through the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) — Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Grant, a federal model demonstration grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (PR Award # H421D220003).
Please note that the deadline for proposal submission has been extended to Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
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