Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS), a
project of The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Request for Applications
2014 BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Optional Letter of Intent: January 15, 2014, 5:00 p.m. EST
Complete Application: February 10, 2014, 5:00 p.m. EST
SCHEDULE
January 3, 2014
January 15, 2014
January 21, 2014
February 10, 2014
March 3, 2014
March 19 – May 14
June 9, 2014
RFA Announced
Written Intent to Apply (optional)
Informational webinar for potential applications: 3:00–4:00 p.m. EST
Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. EST
Awardees notified
Awardees participate in BRSS TACS Policy Academy
Virtual Plenary: Policy Academy KickMarch 19, 2014
off
On-site team planning meeting within
State, Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction
April 1-2, 2014
Virtual Knowledge-Building Sessions
April 14-18, 2014
On-site team planning meeting within
State, Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction
April 29, 2014
Virtual Plenary: Team presentations of
May 12, 2014
BRSS TACS Action Plans
BRSS TACS Action Plan due
SUMMARY
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s Bringing Recovery
Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) is currently accepting applications
for the BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards. BRSS TACS is a SAMHSA project operated by contract
with the Center for Social Innovation.
The purpose of the BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards is to assist State, Territory, and Tribal
Government substance use disorder and mental health agencies in designing and implementing strategic
policies, practices, financing mechanisms, and infrastructure improvements to promote the implementation
of recovery-oriented supports, services, and systems. In particular, the 2014 BRSS TACS Policy Academy
Awards will assist States, Territories, and Tribes to develop action plans that seek to increase much-needed
employment, education, and economic self-sufficiency opportunities for individuals in recovery.
This request for applications (RFA) invites States, Territories, and Tribal Governments to develop an
application and apply for participation in a virtual BRSS TACS Policy Academy and to receive a
subcontract award from the Center for Social Innovation in the amount of up to $50,000.
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Meaningful competitive employment opportunities help people in recovery from mental health and/or
substance use problems find renewed purpose and increase their chance of achieving a successful and selfsufficient life. Efforts to increase competitive employment opportunities require a cross-agency, multidisciplinary approach. The Policy Academy Team’s BRSS TACS Action Plan will include concrete steps to
improve opportunities for people in recovery, such as addressing restrictive policies and practices,
developing new funding sources for employment supports and services, and adopting or expanding and
funding services such as supported employment, microenterprises, job development, benefits counseling,
peer-based employment efforts, job coaching, and other employment supports. These will enable people
with mental health and/or substance use conditions to have the independence, income, and resources to
participate in their communities. Eight (8) BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards will be awarded in 2014.
The 2014 BRSS TACS Policy Academy and Awards program builds on the successful efforts of the 16
State teams that received awards in 2012 and 2013. Previous awardees were able to create change in their
States and make concrete strides toward expanding recovery supports and services.
Please Note: States and Territories that received the 2012 and 2013 BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards
are not eligible. Those States, Territories, and Tribes that applied in previous years and were not funded are
encouraged to re-apply.
Awardees will receive:
 A virtual Policy Academy and onsite technical assistance for teams of 12 to 15 participants
identified in successful applications. The Policy Academy is comprised of: knowledge-building
webinars; two technical assistance visits where teams meet face-to-face with a facilitator and subject
matter faculty member to participate in strategic planning and consultation; and a virtual learning
community. These two technical assistance visits are to be scheduled at the successful applicant’s
location on April 1-2 and April 29, 2014. The ultimate goal of the Policy Academy activities is to
provide technical expertise and consultation to teams as they collaborate across organizations and
agencies to develop an Action Plan. Action Plans will include concrete outcomes for system
planning to expand employment supports in their State, Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction by
introducing new policies, funding sources, and services and/or expanding existing ones.
 A $50,000, six-month subcontract award to support the implementation of concrete action steps that
will establish, enhance, and sustain policies, funding sources, and services that support employment
opportunities for people in recovery in the State, Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction.
 Ongoing technical assistance in the form of consultation, training webinars, and an online learning
community to support teams to implement BRSS TACS Action Plans throughout the award period.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE AWARD & HOW TO APPLY
Background…………………………………………………………………………………...
About BRSS TACS……………………………………………………………………….......
Policy Academy Awards………………………………………………………………………
What is the Policy Academy………………………………………………………….
What topics will be addressed? ………………………………………………………
Who should be on the team? …………………………………………………………
What does the team need to do to prepare for the BRSS TACS Policy Academy?......
About the Subcontract Awards………………………………………………………………...
Award Period……………………………………………………………………….....
Award Administration………………………………………………………………...
Schedule………………………………………………………………………............
How Funds May Be Used…………………………………………………………….
Expectations of Awardees……………………………………………………………………..
Application Guidelines & Evaluation Criteria..………………………………….……………
Intent to Apply (optional) ……………………………………………………………………..
Instructions for Submitting Applications……………………………………………………...
Review Process………………………………………………………………………...............
Contact Information………………………………………………………………………........
Additional Resources………………………………………………………………………......
Attachment A: Cover Sheet……………………………………………………………………
Attachment B: Template Letter of Commitment………………………………………………
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BACKGROUND
SAMHSA was established in 1992. Over the years, SAMHSA has demonstrated that prevention works,
treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and substance use disorders. Behavioral health
services improve health status and reduce health care and other costs to society. Continued improvement in
the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services provides a cost-effective
opportunity to advance and protect the nation’s health.
SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of mental and substance use disorders on America’s
communities. To achieve this mission, SAMHSA has identified the following eight Strategic Initiatives,
which focus its resources on areas of urgency and emerging opportunities:
 Health Reform
 Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
 Trauma and Justice
 Military Families
 Recovery Support
 Health Information Technology
 Data, Outcomes, and Quality
 Public Awareness and Support
ABOUT BRSS TACS
In 2011, SAMHSA funded BRSS TACS to promote the widespread adoption of recovery concepts and
practices throughout the United States. BRSS TACS serves as a coordinated effort to facilitate the adoption
and implementation of recovery concepts, policies, practices, and services, leveraging previous and current
accomplishments by SAMHSA and other leaders in the behavioral health recovery movement. To learn
more about BRSS TACS, visit the website at: www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs
The widespread adoption of recovery concepts and practices throughout the United States requires a
fundamental shift in perspective by States, Territories, and Tribal Governments to adopt and implement new
approaches to policy development, funding, infrastructure, service design and delivery, and workforce
development. The overarching goal of the 2013 BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards is to assist States,
Territories, and Tribal Governments in designing and implementing strategic action plans that enable them
to make the necessary changes to adopt a recovery orientation and facilitate the implementation of recoveryoriented services and systems. The current policy and economic climate in the United States calls for
renewed attention on employment supports. As a result, the focus of the 2014 BRSS TACS Policy Academy
is Supporting Recovery through Expanding Opportunities for Employment.
ABOUT THE BRSS TACS POLICY ACADEMY AWARDS
What is the BRSS TACS Policy Academy?
The 2014 BRSS TACS Policy Academy will use virtual technology and on-site technical assistance
to bring together State, Territory, and Tribal jurisdiction teams comprised of individuals with
policymaking influence in conjunction with nationally recognized experts to assist them to develop
a BRSS TACS Action Plan. The focus of the 2014 BRSS TACS Policy Academy is Supporting
Recovery through Expanding Opportunities for Employment.
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Rather than pursue a traditional Policy Academy approach, SAMHSA is utilizing an innovative
approach that integrates two in-person technical assistance meetings held in the State, Territory,
and/or Tribal jurisdiction with virtual meetings with federal staff and BRSS TACS subject matter
experts. This approach takes into account time and cost factors and allows the teams to work with
each other and subject matter experts to develop a meaningful Action Plan. By using this strategy
rather than a single continuous in-person meeting to accomplish the majority of the work, SAMHSA
intends to achieve significant and sustainable outcomes in a cost-effective manner.
The 2014 BRSS TACS Virtual Policy Academy will be conducted using both virtual technology
and on-site technical assistance:
 Kick-off Plenary (March 19, 2014): The Policy Academy will commence with a kick-off
webinar. SAMHSA staff and the BRSS TACS team will introduce the purpose and process for
the Policy Academy, and each awarded team will introduce itself. This event will be hosted
through on online conference room.
 Onsite Team Planning Meeting 1 (April 1-2, 2014): The first on-site portion of the Academy
will consist of a two-day face-to-face technical assistance visit with the team at a location
selected by the awardee. A facilitator and BRSS TACS faculty member with subject matter
expertise will travel to the team’s chosen venue to assist the team with strengths and needs
analysis and strategic planning. The onsite facilitator will guide the team to evaluate strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), help develop a common vision, and establish
priorities for the Action Plan.
 Virtual Knowledge-Building Sessions (April 14-18, 2014): All participants of the awardee
team will select and attend webinar sessions with subject matter experts. Sessions will be
scheduled between the two on-site Technical Assistance meetings. During the knowledgebuilding sessions and through subject matter consultations, teams will be introduced to
strategies to establish and expand opportunities for employment such as funding (e.g., using
Medicaid) employment related services, overcoming discrimination, job development,
vocational counseling, job readiness, and supported employment. Each team member will each
attend at least two knowledge-building sessions on behalf of the team and provide a short
summary at the next on-site team meeting. Knowledge-building sessions include panels with
subject matter experts and leaders from other States, Territories, and Tribes that share concrete
action steps for how to implement effective approaches. Presenters at the knowledge-building
sessions will also be available via teleconference to advise teams during their on-site meetings
to develop their Action Plans.
 Onsite Team Planning Meeting 2 (April 29, 2014): Teams will reconvene after attending
virtual knowledge-building sessions to complete their Action Plan, with the assistance of ondemand technical assistance from subject matter experts through teleconference. During this
face-to-face meeting, teams will participate in an interactive process to develop a BRSS TACS
Action Plan that identifies specific strategies to increase employment, education, and economic
self-sufficiency opportunities for individuals in recovery. The Action Plans resulting from the
Policy Academy are expected to be sound, comprehensive, and feasible. They must also point to
concrete outcomes.
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 Virtual learning community: BRSS TACS will also support an online learning community for
the eight awarded teams, and will convene conference calls and virtual meetings to promote
sharing of ideas, challenges, and strategies across the teams.
What topics will be addressed?
Specific areas that may be addressed through virtual meetings, webinars, and/or technical assistance
include strategic policies, practices, financing mechanisms, and infrastructure improvements. They
include, but are not limited to the following:
 Fostering a team, system, and community belief that people in recovery can have meaningful
employment and purpose;
 Developing collaborative efforts with state vocational rehabilitation, Medicaid, labor and other
agencies to promote employment initiatives;
 Adopting supported employment and expanding it throughout the State/Territory/Tribal
jurisdiction;
 Addressing legal and other barriers to employment;
 Understanding financing mechanisms to expand Medicaid and other reimbursement approaches
to cover employment and education supports;
 Promoting microenterprises;
 Adopting and/or expanding benefits counseling, and job coaching services, , , especially
provided in peer to peer contexts.
 Collaborating with other agencies and employers for job development;
Based on the needs identified by selected applicants, experts in a variety of topic areas will be
available to consult with the teams.
Who should be on the team?
One of the benefits of participating in the Policy Academy is it provides expert facilitation that
allows team members from different backgrounds and agencies to come together to address a
common problem. Thus, effective teams will have members with policy-making influence from the
different departments and agencies that need to be involved in overcoming barriers and increasing
opportunities for addressing employment and economic self-sufficiency for individuals in recovery.
Team composition will vary depending upon the needs, resources, and priorities of the State,
Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction; however, leaders from the mental health consumer and addiction
recovery communities must members of the team. Teams should be prepared to engage in serious
planning and development sessions and reflect the recommended composition. Specific
requirements and recommendations for team composition can be found in the Application
Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria section below.
What does the team need to do to prepare for the Policy Academy?
At least nine of the team members- must be identified as a part of this application. Teams are
encouraged to work together to develop the strongest possible application. Upon notification of the
award, teams should begin to foster cohesion among their group. Teams might consider
coordinating an introductory phone call, circulating an email asking, “What does expanding
employment supports mean to you?” or meeting in person, by phone, or virtually to review the
submitted application as a team.
Additionally, all team members are required to participate in all Policy Academy events. Team
members should mark their calendars now for the Kick-Off Plenary (March 19, 2014), the first onSAMHSA’s BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards
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site team planning meeting (April 1-2, 2014) and the second on-site team planning meeting (April
29, 2014).
ABOUT THE SUBCONTRACT AWARDS
Funding Mechanism
Subcontract
Anticipated Total Available Funding
$400,000
Anticipated Number of Awards
Eight (8)
Anticipated Award Amount
$50,000 in total direct costs (indirect costs are not allowed)
Length of Project Period
Six months from date subcontract award is signed
AWARD PERIOD
The award period is for six months beginning when the subcontract agreement with the Center for Social
Innovation (C4) is signed. The subcontract is prepared upon delivery of the Team’s final Action Plan, no
later than 30 days following their second Policy Academy onsite meeting. C4 operates BRSS TACS on
behalf of SAMHSA.
AWARD ADMINISTRATION
C4 will administer funds as subcontract awards to the State Behavioral Health Authorities (Single State
Authority, Mental Health Commissioner, or combined Behavioral Health Official, as appropriate) or to the
highest-ranking official or designee of a federally recognized Tribe. Only State, Territory, or Tribal
jurisdiction entities are permitted to apply. Each awardee will enter into a subcontracting agreement directly
with C4.
Awardees may not receive the award and then pass the award funds to another organization that will execute
the proposed project. However, if an applicant does not have the ability to accept funds and provide
adequate financial oversight, it is permitted to identify a fiscal agent who will provide these financial
services. Awardees may enter into subcontracts with organizations and individuals to conduct specific
activities that support the overall project. These subcontracts will need to be reviewed and approved by C4.
Awardees must submit a draft Action Plan to C4 no later than 30 days after the second on-site meeting and
the conclusion of the Policy Academy. Once this information is received, C4 will provide $25,000 to the
awardee. The additional $25,000 will be delivered 45 days after the first payment with the completion of a
final Action Plan and documentation demonstration that next steps have been implemented. Awardees will
be required to submit a final report at the end of the award period.
SCHEDULE
Awards Announced
March 3, 2014
Receive Subcontract from Center for Social Innovation
March 31, 2014
Deliver Draft BRSS TACS Action Plan, Proposed Next
Steps and Proposed Budget Securing First Payment of
$25,000 upon Approval of Deliverables
Deliver Final Action Plan & Demonstrate Next Steps
Securing Second Payment of $25,000 upon Approval of
Deliverables
June 10, 2014 (30 days from the last day of
second onsite meeting)
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Participate in Policy Academy
March - September, 2014
Length of Project Period
Six months from date of signed subcontract
Complete and Submit a Final Report
Six months from date of signed subcontract
How Funds May Be Used
States, Territories, and Tribal Teams may use these funds to develop their BRSS TACS Action Plans and to
implement specific actions in their plans. Specific actions related to how the State, Territory, and/or Tribal
Team will increase employment opportunities for individuals in recovery.
Examples of ways funds may be used include, but are not limited to:
 Convening telephonic and/or virtual stakeholder meetings to discuss the structure of employment
supports for people in recovery;
 Developing state interagency coordinating committees to promote employment strategies to include
representatives from entities such as state behavioral health authorities, vocational rehabilitation,
Medicaid, labor, and others;
 Identifying and analyzing regulatory or policy barriers that adversely affect employment for people in
recovery;
 Conducting inventories of resources and identifying strategies for benefits counseling, job coaching,
supported employment, or other services that provide concrete competitive employment assistance;
 Developing funding approaches for new, enhanced, or expanded services that support employment
opportunities for people in recovery (e.g., supported employment, and job coaching, especially in peer
to peer contexts);
 Providing ongoing and intensive technical assistance on supported employment and recovery-oriented
employment practices;
 Obtaining resource materials or training for collaborative teams or agencies that will work to increase
employment supports for individuals in recovery;
 Issuing mini-grants to recovery organizations for projects seeking to expand collaboration and
participation in employment, activities;
 Developing materials and campaigns to increase public awareness and to eliminate negative perceptions
and discrimination that inhibit employment opportunities;
 Providing travel support for peers/people in recovery to attend administrative/planning or other
meetings related to the project.
Funding may not be used for the following:
 Travel and/or lodging expenses;
 Expenses related to meetings, conferences, or events. This includes meeting space at hotels, conference
centers, or any other venue;
 Provision of provision of food and/or beverages;
 Direct mental or substance use disorders treatment, services, or care;
 Any activity that violates local, State, or Federal laws or the terms of SAMHSA’s contract with C4 for
the operation of the SAMHSA BRSS TACS project;
 Payment for professional services not directly related to the proposed activities that support the BRSS
TACS project;
 Costs for the creation of new organizations;
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 Fundraising;
 Indirect costs or institutional overhead (indirect costs are those not readily identifiable with a particular
cost objective but necessary to the general operation of a nonprofit organization and the conduct of the
activities it performs);
 Pass-through awards (i.e., an applicant receives the subcontract award and then passes the funds to
another organization who carries out the work). (Note: This does not include mini-grants that are
administered and managed by the awarded entity as part of their approved project);
 Lobbying activities;
 To supplant funding for programs or activities that are currently funded.
EXPECTATIONS OF AWARDEES
States, Territories, and Tribal Governments selected to receive a Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale
Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) Policy Academy Award will be expected to participate
in the following activities during the course of the project cycle:
 All Team Members will:
o
Read and review the BRSS TACS Policy Academy award proposal submitted to SAMHSA
by the State, Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction.
o
Participate in all the BRSS TACS Policy Academy activities including the Plenary Kick-off
Meeting, a minimum of two online knowledge-building sessions, all on-site planning
meetings, and online knowledge-building sessions with minimal distractions from other
responsibilities.
o
Arrange travel in a timely manner if needed for the on-site meetings. BRSS TACS will
provide for travel expenses (transportation and lodging) of team members traveling more
than 50 miles. A travel request form will be provided upon notice of the award.
o
Participate in regular meetings for six months after the award. These will include up to three
Virtual Learning Calls with other awardees to exchange information on project
implementation, share resources to assist in the success of their projects, and discuss ideas
for ongoing communication among awardees.
 The Team Lead and the Team Coordinator will:
o
Participate in all the activities specified above for “All Team Members.”
o
Review the below requirements and establish clear responsibilities for the Team Lead and
the Team Coordinator for each role (see ‘Team Composition’ on page 13 for expectations of
each role). The Team Lead and Team Coordinator will work together to comply with Policy
Academy requirements.
o
Serve as a point of contact for C4 and the BRSS TACS Team. This will include distributing
electronic materials to the team on behalf of BRSS TACS, receiving meeting materials by
mail, and submitting bi-monthly progress reports.
o
Identify the venue for the two on-site team planning meetings where the entire team will
meet with the facilitator and subject matter expert. The meeting space should be equipped
with teleconferencing capability, and, if possible, Internet access with a webcam. Although
the Policy Academy may be held in the State, Territory, or Tribal offices, Team members
are required to attend the entirety of the Policy Academy meetings and events with minimal
distractions from other responsibilities. Thus, meeting places outside of daily work spaces
SAMHSA’s BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards
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are recommended. Although teams are encouraged to identify no-cost places to meet, some
financial assistance to secure a low-cost offsite meeting space may be provided, upon
request.
o
Foster communication across the team. This may mean coordinating knowledge-building
attendance plans, circulating working documents, and confirming participant attendance.
Ensure that the team identifies a note-taker for all sessions and that notes are distributed.
o
Provide leadership to ensure completion of a BRSS TACS Action Plan that represents the
team and will result in eliminating barriers to and increasing employment opportunities for
individuals in recovery.
o
Submit an updated team participation roster as well as contracting information (see below).
o
Facilitate technical assistance requests during and following the second onsite team
planning meeting.
 Awarded Entities will:
o Complete brief background questions about recovery services within the state, territory, or
tribe and a travel specifications worksheet. Both will be provided immediately following
notification of the award.
o
Develop, submit, and initiate implementation of a collaborative BRSS TACS Action Plan of
how the State, Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction will design and implement strategic policies,
practices, financing mechanisms, or infrastructure improvements to increase employment
opportunities for people in recovery. Action Plans must include concrete outcomes.
o
Use the subcontract award to carry out concrete steps in the BRSS TACS Action Plan.
o
Submit a detailed budget 30 days after the second on-site team planning meeting (along
with delivery of the Action Plan).
o
Prepare and submit a brief report every other month (bi-monthly), drawing upon the
documentation plan described above. The report should summarize uses of funds and status
of ongoing BRSS TACS Action Plan activities including descriptions of successes and
challenges in policy, financing, and infrastructure changes that have resulted from
participation in the BRSS TACS Policy Academy and award. Reports should make note of
any progress and/or barriers gained toward the concrete outcomes developed in the team’s
Action Plan.
o
Prepare and submit a final report six months after award date, drawing upon the
documentation plan described above. The final report should summarize the use of funds
and the status of ongoing BRSS TACS Action Plan activities, including descriptions of
successes in policy, financing, infrastructure, and service delivery changes that have
resulted from participation in the BRSS TACS Policy Academy and award. Reports should
make note of any progress gained toward the concrete outcomes developed in the team’s
Action Plan.
o
Participate in annual follow-up telephone calls to update the team’s Action Plan. At
minimum, the Team Lead and a peer representative will review activity on proposed
activities and outcomes identified in the team’s Action Plan with a BRSS TACS team
member on an annual basis through 2016. Updates will consist of conversations of one hour
to ninety minutes during which BRSS TACS staff will request information on the progress
of Action Plan implementation in the post award period. The updates will help the awarded
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State, Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction understand their progress and assist BRSS TACS in
helping future awardees prepare to address common barriers.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES & EVALUATION CRITERIA
Applications must address the following sections in an essay of no more than 15 single-spaced pages. (Team
bios and letters of commitment do not count against the page limit; see below.)
1. Statement of Strengths and Challenges (25 points)
Provide a brief summary of the current strengths to be enhanced and challenges to be addressed in
recovery-oriented employment supports and services in the State, Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction.
Examples of strengths might include: a well-organized recovery community or consumer/family
network; inclusion of other types of recovery support services, including peer-delivered services;
partnerships, collaborations, or other formal arrangements that coordinate services among the State,
Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction’s behavioral health and other service delivery systems; existing
supported employment efforts; existing benefits counseling and job coaching services; and
strategies for financing such efforts. Challenges might include issues such as: different values,
approaches, and perspectives among involved service systems; attitudinal barriers about people in
recovery’s readiness to work; insufficient and/or inefficient use of resources, including lack of
employment opportunities, transportation and/or community colleges for training; and the lack of
regulatory infrastructure and/or financing systems for employment supports and other recoveryoriented services. Successful applications will discuss the strengths and challenges in regard to
employment opportunities for individuals in recovery.
2. Proposed Goals (25 points)
The purpose of the Policy Academy is to assist teams in the development of their Action Plans.
Teams will be required to develop projects that adopt new policies, funding sources, or services
and/or expand existing ones to increase employment opportunities for people in with mental and/or
substance use disorders. As a result, any proposed activities or goals specified in a proposal should
be considered a working idea to be reassessed and honed with their team. For the purposes of the
application, States, Territories, and Tribal jurisdictions will be assessed on the strength and detail of
the goals they would like to achieve for their jurisdiction for the Policy Academy and through their
Action Plan.
a. Outcomes To Be Achieved
Describe the outcomes you would like to see as a result of your team’s Action Plan. How do
these address some of the challenges you identified? Outcomes may be specific and concrete
(establishment of collaborative meetings with job training, workforce, employment and job
development agencies; establishment or expansion of financing strategies through Medicaid or
other sources; inclusion of employment goals in provider expectations, contracts, pilot
programs, improved policies to reduce legal barriers to employment; expansion of peer to peer
employment services, supported employment, or other services, etc.) or more general (improved
communication between two or more specific departments; removal of inter-departmental
barriers to addressing employment needs of individuals in recovery; public awareness of
employability, and discrimination laws; coalition buildings; etc.)
b. Potential Activities
Describe potential projects and/or activities you might consider for your Action Plans. How
might your team use the $50,000 award to further your goals and achieve your outcomes? How
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might your team be successful in furthering those goals beyond the life of your subcontract?
Note: Final projects/activities will be developed with your team during the Policy Academy,
and must be approved with your contract prior to implementation. Selection for the Policy
Academy should not be taken as approval for the activities described in this section. Teams may
consider a range of potential activities to support their specific State, Territory, or Tribal needs.
Examples include activities that:
o Promote the adoption and expansion of employment supports;
o Address the legal or other barriers to employment, including civic restoration and
expungement of criminal records;
o Support provider adoption of benefits counseling, job coaching, or other services;
including peer-led initiatives;
o Promote microenterprises; including the use of recovery community centers to promote
recovery-friendly businesses and to serve as incubators for small businesses started by
people in recovery;
o Develop economic self-sufficiency resources and supports;
o Develop networks of recovery-friendly employers;
o Develop provider and workforce training materials and resources that foster
employment and employment readiness;
o Maximize the use of available funding streams and/or expand financing mechanisms
such as block grant funds, Medicaid reimbursement, and other sources to cover
employment and education supports; Other sources may include Temporary Assistance
to Needy Families (TANF), workforce and employment development funds;
o Improve collaboration with economic and job development agencies, private industry
councils, TANF and the recovery community to reduce negative perceptions and
discrimination and to expand employment opportunities;
o Build interagency collaborations (e.g. between State Mental Health, Substance Abuse,
Education, Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation, Labor, and Medicaid Agencies) to
increase and/or maximize funding for employment services and supports and to
eliminate barriers to successful employment and education outcomes;
o Improve community, organization, consumer, family, and employer beliefs about the
readiness to work among people in recovery, such as statewide grassroots campaigns to
raise awareness (e.g. ‘We Can Work/Save’ campaigns);
o Extend vocational efforts beyond employment to full career development;
o Promote the use of retirees in recovery as a rapidly expanding reservoir of skills,
financial support, and volunteer potential.
Please note: Subcontract award funds cannot be used for any travel or meeting-related
expenses. This includes ground or air transportation, lodging, and venue space including hotel
or conference center meetings rooms. Funds may not be used for the provision of food and/or
beverages. Any proposed activities that include training events, conferences, or meetings must
include a plan to externally fund or host events at no cost or to conduct the training virtually.
Funds may be used to develop materials or curricula for such events.
c. Documentation Plan
Awardees must track progress on the implementation of their Action Plan and any impact on
policy, financial, and infrastructure initiatives. Progress will be documented in bimonthly and a
final report (see Expectations of Awardees above). Describe how you will gather the following
information:
SAMHSA’s BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards
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o
o
Track Project Activities - Outline a process to record the strategies used and actions
taken to achieve each of the objectives listed in the Action Plan.
Document Impacts and Accomplishments - Project accomplishments will vary,
depending on the context, and should be tied to project goals and objectives. Examples
of project impacts and accomplishments include: establishment of collaborative
meetings with employment agencies; implementation of improved financing strategies
through Medicaid; improved policies to reduce legal barriers to employment; etc.
Include a process for gathering information from all team members about their work
across the State, Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction to implement projects goals and
objectives. The information gathered can be presented in qualitative and quantitative
forms.
3. Composition of Proposed Team and Commitment to Participate (40 points)
a. Team Composition: A BRSS TACS Team is comprised of 12-15 members. Within your
application, please provide the following information for a minimum of nine members. The
additional team members may be identified after submitting the application (items required in
this section do not count against the page limit):
o Name, title, organization, representation
o A one-paragraph bio
o Designation of role:
1. Team Leader (typically the Point of Contact on the application). A resume of the
designated Team Lead is required for this section, as well as an explanation
demonstrating his/her ability to facilitate team development, planning, and
implementation of the BRSS TACS Action Plan.
2. Team Coordinator to support overall team activities (including arranging for detailed
notes at the meetings, schedule follow-up calls).
3. A senior-level representative from the Department of Mental Health, the Department of
Substance Abuse/Addictions, must be in attendance. A representative from the
Medicaid Office is strongly encouraged. Representative(s) from one or more of the
following: employment development, education and/or vocational rehabilitation
department(s), labor department, TANF office, and other agencies engaged in
workforce development, job training, and job development activities.
4. Peer leaders in recovery. If a peer run organization or recovery community organization
exists in the State or Tribe, peers should include representatives of that organization.
Representatives from both the addictions recovery community and mental health
consumer/recovery community must be included.
5. Family members or youth/youth in transition/young adults or both from a family-run
organization or a Statewide family network if appropriate (i.e., if the team’s Action Plan
focuses on employment opportunities for youth, youth in transition, or young adults.
6. Other members may include, but are not limited to: Governor’s office; Departments of
Education, Employment, Housing, Economic Development and/or Public Health; a
representative overseeing state’s Ticket to Work program; researchers; military or
veteran agencies; provider associations; service providers implementing innovative
approaches; private industry council members; job training providers; insurance
commissioner’s office; colleges and universities; localities; advisory committees; faith
community representatives; and other leaders/community members.
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b. Commitment to Participate (completion of this section does not impact your overall score,
however failure to complete this section will disqualify the application from consideration)
Each State, Territory, or Tribal jurisdiction should demonstrate a commitment to participate in
all Policy Academy activities, complete reports and deliverables under the terms of the
subcontract on time, and complete the action steps created during the Policy Academy. All team
members must attend the entirety of all the policy academy events, including the kick-off
plenary on March 19, the on-site meetings on April 1-2 and April 29, 2014, and a minimum of 2
of the knowledge-building sessions on April 14-18, 2014. Any changes to the team or
scheduling conflicts must be discussed and approved by the Awards Manager. To demonstrate
this commitment, the application must include the following from a minimum of nine of the 1215 team members:
o A signed copy of Attachment B, “Letter of Commitment” from each of the committed
team members (a minimum of nine).
o Assurance of agreement to enter into a subcontract with C4 for the Grant Award.
4. Meaningful Involvement of Individuals in Recovery (Peers) (10 points)
Teams must include meaningful involvement of individuals in recovery from mental health and/or
substance use disorders. List the name of each peer and describe how he or she will be involved.
INTENT TO APPLY (OPTIONAL)
Although this is not required, we would appreciate receiving an email (send to
policy.academy@center4si.com) indicating your intent to submit an application. Receiving your intent to
apply will assist C4 in planning the review process and it does not obligate your State, Territory, and/or
Tribal jurisdiction to submit an application. Submit Letters of Intent by January 15, 2014. Alternatively,
applicants may mail letters to:
Jennifer Martinez
Advocates for Human Potential
41 State Street
Albany, NY 12207
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS
Submit applications by email (preferred method) or mail (overnight courier or US Postal Service). Faxed
applications will not be accepted. If submitting an application package by email, attach all application
documents including the cover sheet (see Attachment A) to a single email and, if possible, submit all
application components as a single electronic file. Applications must be in 12-point Times New Roman font
with one-inch document margins.
If submitting an application package by mail, provide one original and six copies of the application, cover
sheet (see Attachment A), and completed application narrative package, including the items listed above and
in the format specified. Secure each copy with a binder clip—no staples, folders, or binders. The Center for
Social Innovation must receive applications no later than 5:00 p.m. EST, February 10, 2014. Mail
application packages to:
Jennifer Martinez
Advocates for Human Potential
41 State Street
Albany, NY 12207
Alternatively, email application packages to Jennifer Martinez (policy.academy@center4si.com).
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Please do not send backup materials unless specifically requested (e.g., videotapes). They will not be
reviewed and cannot be returned. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
REVIEW PROCESS
The review process will be provided in stages by a team led by the 2014 BRSS TACS Policy Academy
Award Manager and in collaboration with SAMHSA. During an initial screening, applications will be
reviewed for completeness and adherence to the instructions in this announcement. Incomplete applications
or those that do not adhere to the instructions will be eliminated from further consideration.
The BRSS TACS Policy Academy Award Manager will assemble a team of experts to evaluate and score
the applications based on the evaluation criteria. The Award Manager will send scored applications to
SAMHSA, and SAMHSA will select and approve eight applications for funding. The final selection of
award recipients will be based on evaluation score, geographic distribution, diversity, and other factors.
The BRSS TACS Policy Academy Award Manager will notify successful applicants by March 3, 2014.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Staff will answer questions verbally or via email on an individual basis. If you have questions about the
BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards, please contact:
Rebecca Stouff
Center for Social Innovation
200 Reservoir Street, Suite 202
Needham, MA 02494
Phone: (617) 467-6014, ext. 252
Email: policy.academy@center4si.com
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
SAMHSA’s Strategic Plan. Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA’s Roles & Actions 2011 – 2014
http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA11-4629?from=carousel&position=3&date=04072011
Ready, Willing, and Able to Work: Employment for People In Recovery, Recovery Month Webcast: July 3,
2012 http://store.samhsa.gov/product/Ready-Willing-and-Able-to-Work-Employment-for-People-InRecovery/SMA12-4676DVD
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ATTACHMENT A: COVER SHEET
Attachment A: Cover Sheet
2014 BRSS TACS Policy Academy Awards
Check List (must be checked and signed by the applicant before application is accepted for review)
❑ Completed Cover Sheet (Attachment A), including
❑ Project Narrative follows guidelines below:
Project Summary, does not exceed 1 page
o No more than 15 single-spaced pages
o 12-point Times New Roman font
❑ Letters of Commitment and Resume for Team Lead
o 1-inch margins
The signature below certifies the submitted application has followed the guidelines outlined on page 15 in the Request for
Application and the required items are included in this application. The signatory acknowledges failure to follow the application
guidelines will render this application incomplete and no longer eligible for consideration for the award.
Signature
FULL NAME OF APPLYING ENTITY:
Date Submitted
ADDRESS:
E-MAIL:
DESIGNATED CONTACT
Name:
DIRECT PHONE #:
Title:
FAX #: (optional)
Please provide a brief summary that includes a description of the goal(s) that your proposal is addressing
including potential activities and outcomes you hope to achieve. Summary may not exceed the designated text
box.
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ATTACHMENT B: TEMPLATE LETTER OF COMMITMENT
Instructions: Please have a minimum of nine committed team members complete the following form
letter. Bolded text should be personalized. Signed and scanned copies of each letter should be included
with the application. A printout of an email containing this information and sent directly by the person
whose name is on the commitment will also be accepted.
(Include on Letterhead)
Name
Title
Organization/Department
Contact Information
Dear BRSS TACS Policy Academy Award Manager,
As a proposed team member for the (State/Territory/Tribal jurisdiction) 2014 BRSS TACS Policy
Academy Team, I commit to participate in the following activities if our application is awarded:
O
Attend the entirety of all the policy academy events, including:
O
Attend the kick-off plenary on March 19, 2014;
O
Attend the in-person technical assistance site visit meetings on April 1-2 and April 29,
2014;
O
Attend minimum of 2 knowledge-building sessions between the dates of April 14-18,
2014;
O
Work with my team lead to gain Award Manager approval should I experience any
unavoidable conflicts with these activities (if not Team Lead) or Communicate with the
Award Manager should I or anyone on my team experience any unavoidable conflicts
with these activities (if Team Lead).
O
Participate in Virtual Learning Community activities as needed (post-Policy Academy).
O
Fully engage with the Policy Academy activities, the BRSS TACS Team, and my team members
to develop and implement an Action Plan for my State, Territory, or Tribe.
Sincerely,
(Include signature)
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