The Technical Assistance Session was hosted on March 19, 2025. See the recording below.
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 March 21, 2025. Please note, you must check this page for responses to your question.
Questions must be submitted by April 25, 2025 at 5 p.m. CST. The final update is anticipated to occur on May 2.
| 1 | If we currently use telehealth services and have some of these elements in place, can we apply to support full expansion and completion of telehealth service provision? | Per section A.1. of the NOFO, “Funding is limited to the technology required to establish the new telehealth services described under this award per Section C.3., Funding Purpose and Scope of Services. General technology upgrades are not allowable costs.”
Applicants with existing telehealth services may seek to expand services in areas and communities of Illinois not adequately served by existing resources and/or are historically underserved. |
| 2 | Based on the suggested description of staffing, as related to the information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is it to be understood that staffing in this NOFO/programming are only intended to be technology related? Meaning no funding for client-facing staff that provide prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and/or recovery support services? | Funding in this NOFO is not designated for service providers. Per Section C.3. in the NOFO, “the subrecipient must allocate or hire sufficient staff to support the design, implementation, and monitoring of telehealth services.” and “of the three (3) anticipated years of funding, startup expenses, which include Tasks 3, 4, and 5, will be allocated for the first two (2) years only. Year three (3) expenses may be used to support technology, software, and staffing to support the program.” |
| 3 | The NOFO states the following:
The subrecipient must identify and acquire the services, healthcare devices, and functionality support necessary for the operation of the services proposed in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements. At a minimum, this must include the following functionality: Patient consultation portal with texting and video communication capabilities, What is meant by “mobile medical devices that gather, analyze, and transmit data” as it relates to a community-based, outpatient behavioral health provider? Could this mean mobile devices used by staff to meet eligible clients in the community who lack access to technology to provide them with services? |
While “loaner tablets for patients lacking reliable internet connections or devices suitable for video consultations” are identified as a need in the NOFO, in the “remote patient monitoring” definition in the NOFO (Section I.2.), the following examples are provided for mobile medical devices for remote patient monitoring: digital scale, heart monitor, glucometer, blood pressure monitor, oxygen monitor, spirometer.” These are used “to collect medical and other health data from a patient at one location and electronically transmit that data to a health care professional or facility at a different location for collection and interpretation.” |
| 4 | Are we able to subcontract this some or all of this work, including assessment, device purchasing, monitoring, to an IT company, as well as pay for training of staff from electronic health record systems? | Third party contracts are allowable. Per Section F.2. in the NOFO, “Any third-party contracts paid for using grant funds are subject to GATA requirements and the terms and conditions of the subaward. The subrecipient is required to include certain subaward agreement language in lower tier subrecipient or contractor agreements and provide those agreements to the RCCA. Lower-tier subrecipient and contractor agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the RCCA. The subrecipient shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the lower-tier subrecipient(s) and contractor(s).” |
| 5 | Is it required for the telehealth services to be provided through the same electronic health record system that manages client records and will create a client portal? Or can a complementary video service be used, like Zoom for Healthcare? | Applicants may design their system to meet their needs as long as it complies with the funding, legislative, and regulatory requirements.
In Section I.2. of the NOFO, telehealth is defined as “Provision of healthcare/OUD/SUD services virtually/remotely by means of HIPAA-compliant telecommunications technology. Technologies include videoconferencing, the internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, and landline and wireless communications. Telehealth services may be provided, for example, through audio, text messaging, or video communication technology, including videoconferencing software. For purposes of reimbursement, certain payors, including Medicare and Medicaid, may impose restrictions on the types of technologies that can be used.” |
| 6 | Is there an age requirement for this funding or can it be requested for an adolescent program? | No specific age restrictions are identified in the NOFO, but applicants would need to adhere to all standards and regulations relevant to adolescent populations (e.g., consent). The priority populations are defined, per Section C.2. of the NOFO:
“Funding is intended to support establishment of telehealth services for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) in communities that have been disparately impacted by the opioid crisis, as well as in rural communities with few or no appropriate services. Marginalized groups (e.g., individuals experiencing homelessness, indigenous communities, veterans) will receive priority consideration. Applications will be prioritized based on overdose data in the applicant’s proposed service area, current availability of other services, and plans to specifically outreach to populations that reflect the social and racial disparities that persist in the opioid crisis.” |
| 7 | Do we need to have partners in place by the time of application? | Partnerships do not need to be established at time of application. |
| 8 | Can we provide training and technical support to our own treatment team? | There are no specific requirements about who provides the training and technical support. |
| # | 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.” |