The Technical Assistance Session recordings are posted below, including a pre-recorded NOFO Overview, a demonstration of the budget workbook and application platform, and responses during our live Q&A session from February 20, 2025.
Please Contact Us with further questions.
The following table answers general questions about the NOFO and NOFO process.
| # | Question | Answer |
| 1. Application | ||
| 1.1 | Should I register as an individual or an organization? | Please register as an individual. |
| 1.2 | Can more than one person complete the application? | Yes. Collaborators can be added to the application process. |
| 1.3 | Will I receive an email notification when my application is submitted? | Yes. If you do not receive this email, please ensure the entire application was completed. In addition to completing each section, the entire application must be submitted. If you do cannot find this email, please contact the help desk. |
| 2. NOFO | ||
| 2.1 | Who are the SME’s that write the NOFOs? | The SMEs that write the NOFOs are individuals at Advocates for Human Potential who have demonstrated expertise and knowledge on the topic/initiative being funding, including the services that will be funded through the NOFO. These SMEs include individuals with diverse backgrounds who live in Illinois and are familiar with Illinois’ SUD prevention, treatment and recovery systems, and some are people with lived experience. SUPR also provides SMEs who draft the original statement of work that is then used to construct the NOFOs. |
| 3. Reviews | ||
| 3.1 | Will I be notified if there is a problem with my application? | During the prequalification process, applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility to determine whether they will be considered for funding. You will be notified if your application does not meet those criteria. However, once submitted, no further changes can be made to the application. |
| 3.2 | Who is on the selection committee for each NOFO? | The review committee includes, at a minimum, three individuals who are SMEs on the topic area and/or are people with lived experience. |
| 4. Awards | ||
| 4.1 | Can an entity be awarded multiple awards? As in, applying for two different NOFOs and receiving an award for both. | Yes, an entity can apply for and, if eligible and has the capacity to fulfill the requirements of each, may be awarded more than one award. |
| 5. Communications | ||
| 5.1 | How will I receive updates from AHP? | Please ensure that your organization has whitelisted the following emails/email domains, so you can ensure you receive all communications.
|
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Application |
||
|
1.1 |
Should I register as an individual or an organization? |
Please register as an individual. |
|
1.2 |
Can more than one person complete the application? |
Yes. Collaborators can be added to the application process. |
|
1.3 |
Will I receive an email notification when my application is submitted? |
Yes. If you do not receive this email, please ensure the entire application was completed. In addition to completing each section, the entire application must be submitted. If you do cannot find this email, please contact the help desk. |
|
2. NOFO |
||
|
2.1 |
Who are the SME’s that write the NOFOs? |
The SMEs that write the NOFOs are individuals at Advocates for Human Potential who have demonstrated expertise and knowledge on the topic/initiative being funding, including the services that will be funded through the NOFO. These SMEs include individuals with diverse backgrounds who live in Illinois and are familiar with Illinois’ SUD prevention, treatment and recovery systems, and some are people with lived experience. SUPR also provides SMEs that draft the original statement of work that is then used to construct the NOFOs. |
|
3. Reviews |
||
|
3.1 |
Will I be notified if there is a problem with my application? |
During the prequalification process, applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility to determine whether they will be considered for funding. You will be notified if your application does not meet those criteria. However, once submitted, no further changes can be made to the application. |
|
3.2 |
Who is on the selection committee for each NOFO? |
The review committee includes, at a minimum, three individuals who are SMEs on the topic
area, and/or are people with lived experience. |
|
4. Awards |
||
|
4.1 |
Can an entity be awarded multiple awards? As in, applying for two different NOFOs and receiving an award for both. |
Yes, an entity can apply for and, if eligible and has the capacity to fulfill the requirements of each, may be awarded more than one award. |
|
5. Communications |
||
|
5.1 |
How will I receive updates from AHP? |
IL RCCA Whitelist Copy Please ensure that your organization has whitelisted the following emails/email domains, so you can ensure you receive all communications. ilrcca@ahpnet.com – RCCA program email address (and any email from ahpnet.com) noreply@sign.ironcladapp.com – Ironcloud, which AHP uses to send notices of awards and non-awards noreply@mail.smapply.net – Survey Monkey Apply, which AHP uses to communicate with applicants support@ahpnet.freshdesk.com – Freshdesk, which AHP plans to use for help desk communications in the future jira@ahp.atlassian.net – Jira, which AHP uses to manage all communications that come to the ILRCCA@ahpnet.com email account or are submitted directly on the help desk platform. |
Questions and answers will be updated each Friday afternoon during the application period beginning February 14, 2025. Please note, you must check this page for responses to your question.
Questions must be submitted by March 7, 2025 at 5 p.m. CST. The final update is anticipated to occur on March 14.
| 1 | [ORGANIZATION] is developing its budget to open a satellite office providing all three types of MAR medications approved by the FDA in another county. In order to acquire a site, initially staff, furnish a location and acquire DEA licensing to provide induction and dispensing of methadone, our FP2 budget will exceed $700,000. Is it possible to request more than $533,000 in FP2? | Organizations may propose a budget that aligns with their anticipated costs. |
| 2 | Please clarify what the maximum allowable budget is in funding period 2. In the Budget section of the NOFO website, it says the maximum is $457,000. However, in the Overview NOFO section and in the Q&A session, it lists $533,000. Thank you. | We apologize for the calculation error. The correct amounts for the Funding Periods are: FP1: $114,000 FP2: $457,000The estimated total award for the initial period of performance is: $571,000. The website has been corrected. |
| 3 | The NOFO states that “The RCCA anticipates awarding up to seven (7) awards of up to $1,375,000 per award.” However, Funding Period 1 is up to an estimated $76,000 and Funding Period 2 is up to an estimated $533,000 for each period of performance. The two funding periods which equal the period of performance is $609,000. Following, what is the max amount we can apply for funding? | We apologize for the calculation error. The correct amounts for the Funding Periods are: FP1: $114,000 FP2: $457,000The estimated total award for the initial period of performance is: $571,000. The website has been corrected. |
| 4 | Our understanding of the NOFO is that its purpose is to establish new OTP sites. If so, in what cases would tasks 3 and 4 be optional? Would these tasks only be optional if the grantee is seeking to open a satellite location of an already-established OTP? | Objectives of OTPP include establishing partnerships between OTPs and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), hospitals, clinics, or public departments of health and to create collaborative care models supported by those partnerships to ensure patients have access to comprehensive substance use disorder services, including physical (medical), behavioral health, and recovery support services. A sample scenario might be if an applicant already operating an OTP applies for funding to perform the remaining tasks, such as helping a medical partner establish office-based MAR using buprenorphine. The funding request should reflect the costs required to establish these services. |
| 5 | If an agency is already accredited, would they have to seek an additional accreditation specific to the OTP? Would the agency also have to get the OTP program certified? | The applicant should confirm with the current accreditation body what additional requirements would be needed and refer to 42 CFR 8.3. |
| 6 | Could you please clarify the total points available for Section 6 and Section 7 of the application? For example, in the application provided at https://ilrcca.com/nofo-application/otpp/, the header for Section 6 indicates that the section is worth 30 points, while the evaluation criteria totals 25 points. Similarly, the header for Section 7 indicates that the section is worth 30 points, while the evaluation criteria totals 35 points. | The section points are as follows:
Section 1: 5 points (Executive Summary)
The Application webpage has been updated to reflect this. |
| 7 | The questions #88 (Need and Opportunity section) and #89 (Capacity section) in the OTPP NOFO reference tasks related to providing technical assistance and enhancing the workforce, not to setting up an OTPP. Can you confirm that these questions are accurate and should be responded to in the application for OTPP funding? | Questions #88 and #89 and their criteria have been revised to reflect the requirements of the OTPP funding notice. The criteria for question #90 have also been revised. |
| 8 | The NOFO indicates that “capital expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment that materially increase their value or useful life” are among unallowable costs. Could you please clarify any distinction between allowable expenses related to Task 4.c. (e.g., private areas for dispensing medications; private cashier areas for accepting payments; modifying restrooms for conducting urinalysis screens; modifying computer equipment [e.g., privacy filters”]) and the unallowable capital expenditures for improvements? | Task 4, Secure MAR Location, is an optional task and is applicable only to subrecipients seeking to offer MAR services at a location at which methadone is not currently dispensed. Under 2 CFR Sec. 200.1, capital expenditures “mean expenditures to acquire capital assets or expenditures to make additions, improvements, modifications, replacements, rearrangements, reinstallations, renovations, or alterations to capital assets that materially increase their value or useful life.” Please also see 2 CFR Sec 200.439, Equipment and other capital expenditures which specifies the categories that may be be allowable direct costs and require prior written approval from IDHS (through AHP). These costs must be specified with the appropriate supporting documentation. |
| 9 | The NOFO indicates that IDHS considers 39 counties to be “MAR deserts” as of March 22. Could you please confirm list of counties that are considered to be MAR deserts? | SAMHSA hosts a searchable database of OTP programs, which can be restricted to Illinois, here: https://dpt2.samhsa.gov/treatment/. |
| 10 | Task 4.d. requires that the OTP be interoperable with the EHR of any partner designated to provide health or dental services to OTP participants. Could you please clarify what level of interoperability is required under this funding? | The EHR systems must be interoperable to the extent necessary to meet OTP requirements. For example, the OTP would need access to records pertaining to physical exams, serology and other laboratory testing, and psychological evaluations performed by, as well as medications prescribed by the medical partner. |
| 11 | May one organization apply for additional funding to operate satellite locations in multiple regions? | The RCCA anticipates awarding up to seven (7) awards to different organizations. Based upon that number of awards, the anticipated award amount is up to $457,000 per funding period; the first funding period is prorated to $114,000. |
| 12 | Under required Task 4c, activities include building out space for dispensing medications, modifying restrooms, and architectural design, among others. However, capital expenditures for improvements to buildings is listed as an unallowable cost. Can you clarify if modifying internal building space to allow for dispensing (ex: installing a sink or a dispensing window) is an allowable cost? | Task 4, Secure MAR Location, is an optional task and is applicable only to subrecipients seeking to offer MAR services at a location at which methadone is not currently dispensed. Under 2 CFR Sec. 200.1, capital expenditures “mean expenditures to acquire capital assets or expenditures to make additions, improvements, modifications, replacements, rearrangements, reinstallations, renovations, or alterations to capital assets that materially increase their value or useful life.” Please also see 2 CFR Sec 200.439, Equipment and other capital expenditures which specifies the categories that may be be allowable direct costs and require prior written approval from IDHS (through AHP). These costs must be specified with the appropriate supporting documentation. |
| 13 | We are interested in submitting applications for two locations in central Illinois. Will each location require a separate application? | Per Section B.1. of the NOFO, a nonprofit, for-profit, or tax-exempt entity may only submit one application under this funding opportunity. For example, multiple individuals in one organization cannot submit multiple applications; a parent company cannot submit an application and a subsidiary cannot submit a second application for the same funding opportunity. |
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Are state and local government entities eligible to apply? |
Per C.1. of the NOFO, applicants must be a non-profit, for-profit, or tax-exempt entity located in Illinois and qualified to do business with the state of Illinois. |
|
2 |
The NOFO states that, “the maximum award applied for should be $300,000 for the initial period of performance. Funding period 1 will span October 1, 2024–June 30, 2025, and funding period 2 will span July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.” Does that mean we can request $300,000 for funding period #1 and $300,00 for funding period #2 for a total of $600,000 OR is it $300,000 total across both funding periods? |
Yes, the award range for each funding period is $250,000 – $300,000 for each funding period. Award amounts will be based on RCCA-approved budgets and the availability of State funding. Budgets must be sufficiently detailed and justified to be approved by the RCCA. |
|
3 |
Can federal entities apply? |
Per C.1. of the NOFO, applicants must be a non-profit, for-profit, or tax-exempt entity located in Illinois. |
|
4 |
Is a county considered a ‘tax-exempt entity’? |
Yes. |
|
5 |
When we have the WARM Kickoff meeting, (inviting all community members and organizations), will the food purchased for the Kickoff meeting be allowable costs? Are the costs associated with sober fun events and supplies allowable expenses? |
Supplies for program activities that are necessary and reasonable based on the activity contained in the Statement of Work, are justified in the Budget Narrative, and are allowable under Subpart E of 2 CFR 200 are permissable. |
|
6 |
Are there any age distinctions for this opportunity? |
The WARM funding notice does not contain any age distinctions, but does state that “Services shall be designed for a population disparately affected by the opioid crisis.” Descriptions of priority service areas and population characteristics with the highest need are described in Section A.3. of the notice. |
|
7 |
Dropdowns in the WARM budget are not working. |
The budget has been revised as of 6/6 and may be downloaded on the WARM NOFO Overview page. |
|
8 |
Must applicant propose to pay for the first-month’s rent or pay for other moving costs if other housing services are being provided by the grant? |
The determination of which housing costs to fund may be determined by the organization’s program procedures. |
|
9 |
Can federal entities apply? |
Federal entities may not apply on their own, but may partner with another organization to accomplish the program objectives. |
|
10 |
Must applicant propose to pay for the first-month’s rent or pay for other moving costs if other housing services are being provided by the grant? |
The determination of which housing costs to fund may be determined by the organization’s program procedures. |
|
11 |
Inpatient Treatment is listed as an option to consider for individuals that will experience a significant housing transition upon discharge that we can focus on for the proposal. Does this include residential Level III substance use treatment programs? If so, is it an acceptable strategy to identify clients for the project that would come from our own level III residential substance use treatment programs? |
As noted in NOFO Section A.5, Programs must: “provide peer recovery support services using a warm handoff model,” “services shall be designed for a population disparately affected by the opioid crisis,” and “the subrecipient must establish relationships, agreements, and protocols to implement the model. Relationships should include, as aligned with the proposed model, the following:
a. One or more hospital, jail, prison, or provider of homelessness services; and
b. MAR providers, other community-based SUD treatment providers, homelessness Continuums of Care, providers of housing/homelessness services, overdose education and naloxone distribution programs, recovery community organizations (RCOs), and harm reduction groups.” |
|
12 |
If the correctional facility applying for these funds is held within the county administration, would you like to see the organizational budget and chart for the jail or the county? How specific should these charts and budgets be? Should they pertain to the county as a whole, or can they pertain to the relevant departments? |
The budget should include the overall county budget and the revenues and expenditures of the relevant department. |
|
13 |
For question 80 in the Survey Monkey application portal, should said individual be the county board chairperson or the jail superintendent who will be coordinating the program? |
The individual should be the name of the person submitting the application and must be authorized by the organization to do so. |
|
14 |
Whose signature should be on the conflict of interest form? |
The conflict of interest should be signed by a designated grantee representative of the entity receiving the award. |
|
15 |
As a consulting organization, are we allowed to turn in the application on the correctional facility’s behalf? |
A consulting organization may submit the application on the correctional facility’s behalf if authorized to do so by the applicant organization and clearly indicated in the application. |
|
16 |
Our organization helps individuals transition out of nursing facilities and into independent living. Would this type of housing transition be included in the scope of services for WARM? |
As noted in NOFO Section A.5, Programs must: “provide peer recovery support services using a warm handoff model,” “services shall be designed for a population disparately affected by the opioid crisis,” and “the subrecipient must establish relationships, agreements, and protocols to implement the model. Relationships should include, as aligned with the proposed model, the following:
a. One or more hospital, jail, prison, or provider of homelessness services; and
b. MAR providers, other community-based SUD treatment providers, homelessness Continuums of Care, providers of housing/homelessness services, overdose education and naloxone distribution programs, recovery community organizations (RCOs), and harm reduction groups.” |