HRSA-25-011 Final.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due April 11, 2025

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Northern Border Rural Workforce Opportunity number: HRSA-25-011

Contents Before you begin 4

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Basic information 6

Eligibility 7

Program description 10

Award information 17

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 19

Get registered 20

Find the application package 20

Application writing help 21

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22

Application contents and format 23

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 35

Application review 36

Award notices 41

Step 5: Submit Your Application 42

Application submission and deadlines 43

Application checklist 45

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 47

Post-award requirements and administration 48

Contacts and Support 52

Appendix A: Rural NBRC Counties and Census Tracts 55

Contents 2

Appendix B: Examples of Behavioral Health Professions 59

Contents 3

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks)

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days)

You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 11, 2025.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 4 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

Jump to a step

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 6

Eligibility 7

Program description 10

Award information 17

Basic information Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Improving behavioral health care capacity in rural communities of the Northern Border Regional Commission service area.

Have questions?

Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Northern Border Rural Workforce

Opportunity number:

HRSA-25-011

Announcement version:

New

Federal assistance listing:

93.912

Statutory authority:

42 U.S.C. 912(b)(5) (§ 711(b)(5) of the Social Security Act)

Key dates

NOFO issue date:

1/10/2025

Informational webinar:

See Webinar Section

Application deadline:

4/11/2025

Expected award date is by:

September 1, 2025

Expected start date:

September 1, 2025

See other submissions for other time frames that may apply to this NOFO.

Summary The purpose of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Northern Border Rural Workforce (RCORP-Northern Border) is to improve health care in rural areas within the Northern Border Regional Commission’s service area by enhancing behavioral health workforce capacity. To this end, the RCORP-Northern Border will implement a network-based approach to provide behavioral health care training and job placement in rural communities. This program addresses the ongoing critical need for behavioral health care professionals in rural communities of the northern border region. The first year of the program may be used for planning activities and formalizing a network, and the remaining three years must be dedicated to implementation of training and job placement.

Funding details Application Types: New

Expected total available funding in FY 25: $3,200,000

Expected number and type of awards: Up to 8 grants

Funding range per award: Up to $400,000 per year

We plan to fund awards in four 12-month budget periods for a total four year period of performance from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2029.

The program and awards depend on the annual appropriation of funds and are subject to change based on the availability and amount of appropriations.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6 https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-terminology#g

Eligibility Who can apply You can apply if your organization is in the state of Maine, New York, New Hampshire, or Vermont.

Types of eligible organizations All domestic public or private, non-profit and for-profit, entities with a physical location in the states of Maine, New York, New Hampshire, or Vermont are eligible to apply. This includes:

• Public institutions of higher education

• Private institutions of higher education

• Non-profits with or without a 501(c)(3) IRS status

• For-profit organizations, including small businesses

• State, county, city, township, and special district governments

• Independent school districts

• Native American tribal governments

• Native American tribal organizations

* “Domestic” means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Other eligibility criteria To be eligible, applicants must represent a network composed of participants at least four or more organizations (your organization plus three additional organizations).

These organizations may be rural or urban, but they must be located within the state(s) that you plan to serve.

To be reviewed and scored, your application must:

• Include a target rural service area that contains only counties and/or census tracts that are in Appendix A (rural areas within the Northern Border Regional Commission service area).

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

◦ HRSA intends to fund at least one award to organizations located in each of the four Northern Border Regional Commission states (Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont.

• Include letters of commitment from at least three additional potential network members.

• Ensure that at least 50% of proposed network members have a physical location within the target rural service area.

• NOTE: HRSA will review Attachment 1 and Attachment 4 to determine whether the application meets this eligibility criteria. If Attachment 1 and Attachment 4 do not include all required information, then your application may be considered ineligible, and will not be reviewed or scored.

Completeness and responsiveness criteria We will review your application to make sure it meets these basic requirements to move forward in the competition.

We will not consider an application that:

• Is from an organization that does not meet all eligibility criteria.

• Requests funding above the award ceiling shown in the funding range.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Is missing required attachments and narrative sections, or required attachments and narrative sections are not complete.

Application limits You may submit more than one application under the same Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) if each organization is located in a different rural area, serving a different population, and proposes a distinct project. Your application must be unique and independently developed and written. All applicants applying under the same EIN/UEI MUST submit the required information described in Attachment 11.

NOTE: Single organizations (e.g., a parent organization/headquarters) may not apply more than once for this funding opportunity on behalf of its satellite offices or clinics.

We will only review your last validated application for each distinct project before the deadline. If you provide insufficient information in Attachment 11, or submit multiple applications that are nearly identical, we will only accept the last on-time submission associated with the EIN/UEI number.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement. If you choose to share in the costs of the project, we will not consider it during merit review. We will hold you accountable for any funds you add, including through reporting.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

Program description Purpose The purpose of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Northern Border Rural Workforce (RCORP-Northern Border) is to improve health care in rural areas within the Northern Border Regional Commission’s service area (Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont) by enhancing behavioral health workforce capacity.

Goals Goal 1: Training Form a network of local organizations to develop and implement innovative, evidence-based training programs focused on addressing the rural behavioral health workforce needs in rural northern border areas.

Goal 2: Placement Ensure that individuals completing RCORP-Northern Border funded training are placed and retained in supportive, well-compensated employment within the target rural service area, where they will utilize their behavioral health training and have opportunities for continued growth.

Goal 3: Sustainability Develop innovative, multi-sectoral approaches to ensure the continued availability of RCORP-Northern Border supported services in the target rural service area post federal funding.

Target Population The target population for RCORP-Northern Border Rural Workforce includes individuals residing in HRSA-designated rural counties and census tracts within the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) service area (See Appendix A for an inclusive list of all qualifying counties and census tracts for this award).

Program Highlights

• You must provide training in at least one behavioral health care profession that, upon completion of training and any required certifications, is able to prescribe

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 medication assisted treatment and bill third party payors for reimbursement of services.

• You must collaborate in a network of at least four organizations (your organization plus three additional organizations). At least 50% of the organizations in the network must have a physical location in the target rural service area.

• If necessary, you may use the first year of the award for planning purposes, including establishing partnerships, developing curriculum, and recruiting trainees. Implementation of training must begin by year two of the award.

• You must ensure your network has the capacity to track and collect data on individuals receiving training, where they are placed, and the services they provide upon placement.

• If awarded, you will participate in the RCORP-Northern Border learning collaborative, facilitated by the RCORP technical assistance provider.

• Required staff roles include a project director, data coordinator, and learning collaborative point of contact.

• All award recipients must conduct a financial resources assessment, to identify avenues for sustainability after the award.

Background This program is authorized by Section 711(b)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.

912(b)(5)). HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) is the focal point for rural health activities within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

FORHP programs provide technical assistance and other activities as necessary to support improving health care in rural areas. For additional information about FORHP, please see www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth.

The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is a federal-state partnership for economic and community development in northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York (for a list of counties included in the NBRC service area). The NBRC was created by Congress in 2008, and each year the NBRC provides federal funds for critical economic and community development projects. Their mission is to catalyze community vitality and economic prosperity in the northern border region with flexible funding and strategic support.

Moreover, of the 6,234 mental health-health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in the U.S., 3,861 (61.93 percent) are in rural areas, representing 28,946,148 people who do not have adequate access to mental health care providers. In the Northern Border Region states, over 4 million individuals live across 286 mental health HPSAs (population data for Vermont is not available). In Maine and New York, less than 20% of the need for mental health care providers are met. In 2022, Maine and Vermont were

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 https://nofo.rodeo/nofos/www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth https://www.nbrc.gov/ among the 10 states with the highest overdose death rates, and New York had the second highest number of overdose deaths.

Over the next ten years, from 2024-2034, the National Center for Health Workforce estimates that across the country, the number of behavioral health workers will decrease by 9%, while the demand for behavioral health care services will increase by 37%. By 2034, the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis predicts that the supply of addiction counselors will only meet 55% of the need in New York, and 61% in New Hampshire. While the supply of addiction counselors is anticipated to be sufficient to meet state-wide need in Vermont and Maine, this does not account for distribution of providers and the additional challenges that rural communities face in securing behavioral health workforce. A recent study found that those in nonmetropolitan areas were significantly less likely to receive medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

Moreover, the estimated average drive time to an opioid treatment program for people living in rural areas is 6 times greater than for those living in urban areas.

Program requirements and expectations Target rural service area RCORP-Northern Border supported services may only be delivered in qualifying rural NBRC counties and census tracts. See Appendix A for a list of all qualifying counties within the NBRC service area.

You may not duplicate the services being offered in the same county by another RCORP-Northern Border award recipient. If you are awarded and your service area overlaps with another RCORP-Northern Border award recipient, you must work with HRSA to reconcile any potential duplication of services.

Your service area may include counties in more than one state.

Requirements for achieving RCORP-Northern Border Goals

Goal 1: Training Establish a network of local organizations to develop and implement innovative, evidence-based training programs focused on addressing the rural behavioral health workforce needs in rural northern border areas.

• Establish formal training and certification programs to address specific needs for behavioral health providers in the target rural service area.

◦ You must provide training in at least one behavioral health profession that, upon completion of training and any required certifications, is able to prescribe medication assisted treatment and bill third party payors for

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/drug_poisoning_mortality/drug_poisoning.htm https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/drug_poisoning_mortality/drug_poisoning.htm https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/workforce-projections https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807964 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2752051 reimbursement of services (through any relevant mechanism, including incident-to billing).

◦ You may also provide training for behavioral health paraprofessionals, such as peer recovery support specialists and case managers.

◦ You may include cross training of existing providers, to enable them to offer new or expanded behavioral health care services (e.g., training a primary care physician to offer medication for opioid use disorder).

◦ Please see Appendix B for a list of behavioral health professions for consideration.

• The types of training and certification that you will offer must be clearly connected to community need for behavioral health providers.

• Training and certification must take place within the target rural service area.

• Training and certification must be culturally and linguistically appropriate for the target rural population that you will serve.

Goal 2: Placement Ensure that individuals completing RCORP-Northern Border funded training are placed and retained in supportive, well-compensated employment within the target rural service area, where they will utilize their behavioral health training and have opportunities for continued growth.

• Coordinate with your network and other community partners to ensure that individuals trained with RCORP-Northern Border funds secure supportive, well-compensated employment.

◦ If you are offering cross-training to existing behavioral health care providers, then you should ensure that upon completion of training, these providers are in roles which allow them to implement their new skillsets.

• We strongly encourage you to engage with the HRSA-funded Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (STAR-LRP). You may use RCORP-Northern Border funds to assist behavioral health service delivery sites in becoming STAR-LRP approved facilities.

• Work with employers to implement employee retention approaches.

Goal 3: Sustainability Develop innovative, multi-sectoral approaches to ensure the continued availability of RCORP-Northern Border Rural Workforce supported services in the target rural service area post federal funding.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

It is critical to ensure that grant-funded training and support (established under Goals 1 and 2) remain available after RCORP-Northern Border funding ends, so that the behavioral health workforce can continue to develop and strengthen.

• Throughout the period of performance, you should work with your network (see Network Requirements) to make RCORP-Northern Border supported services sustainable.

• You must complete a Financial Resources Assessment (see reporting requirements). This will help identify potential sources of funding that may be leveraged after the RCORP-Northern Border project ends.

• You will also receive personalized technical assistance throughout your project, to help plan for the sustainability of RCORP-Northern Border funded services.

Network Requirements Training behavioral health care providers requires a variety of different resources. This can be especially challenging in rural communities where such resources and services may be less available or separated by significant distances. Therefore, you must implement your RCORP-Northern Border project as part of a network of organizations that represent different aspects of the behavioral health workforce.

If awarded, you must submit a single memorandum of understanding signed by each network member within the first year of the project.

• Your network must represent a diversity of sectors relevant to behavioral health training in your target rural service area.

• Additionally, at least 50% of your network members must have a physical location (either a headquarters or a satellite site) within the target rural service area

• Each member of your network must be fully integrated into the RCORP-Northern Border project.

• At a minimum, network members should commit to:

◦ Meeting regularly (at least once a quarter).

◦ Coordinating with other network members on RCORP-Northern Border activities.

◦ Sharing aggregate data for performance reporting to HRSA.

◦ Sustaining services after the period of performance ends.

• We strongly encourage you to consider engaging local community colleges or other institutions of higher education as members of your network.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14

Planning Period You may, but are not required to, spend up to the first year of the award conducting planning activities. Planning activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Formalizing network partnerships

• Developing and signing memorandum of understanding for the network

• Developing curriculum

• Achieving accreditation

• Scheduling trainings

• Assisting sites in becoming STAR-LRP certified facilities, and, where appropriate, applying for a mental health HPSA designation

You must begin implementing trainings no later than September 1, 2026 – one year into your period of performance.

Learning Collaborative If awarded, you will participate in the quarterly RCORP-Northern Border learning collaborative, facilitated by the HRSA-funded RCORP technical assistance provider. The learning collaborative will offer the opportunity to network, share best practices, address challenges, and receive targeted technical assistance for your project.

• You must designate one individual to serve as the point of contact for the learning collaborative.

• We anticipate that the learning collaborative will meet on a quarterly basis.

Data Collection Measuring success is a key element of RCORP-Northern Border. We encourage you to use RCORP-Northern Border funds to enhance the data collection and analysis capacity of your network. We also encourage you to implement ongoing quality improvement efforts.

Recipients will be expected to report detailed quantitative data related to the number of individuals trained through RCORP-Northern Border funds, where they are placed, services they provided upon placement.

Staffing Requirements To achieve RCORP-Impact goals and meet the program requirements, you must include the following roles in your project. Individuals may fulfill more than one role:

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15

Project Director

• Primary point of contact and leadership for the award.

• Directs project activities.

• Makes staffing, financial, or other adjustments to align project activities with the project outcomes.

• Ensures that trainings are coordinated and well-managed.

• Engages community members and key stakeholders to implement project activities.

• Must attend monthly calls with HRSA program staff and the HRSA-funded RCORP technical assistance team.

• You may decide the job qualifications and percentage of effort needed to effectively fulfill these duties, but we strongly recommend a minimum time commitment of at least .25 FTE for the Project Director.

Learning Collaborative Point of Contact

• Participates in monthly learning collaborative meetings.

• Should be a key staff member with the authority to speak on behalf of your project.

• You may decide the job qualifications and percentage of effort needed to effectively fulfill these duties.

Data Coordinator

• Coordinates with your network members to collect, aggregate, track, and report quantitative and qualitative data and information to fulfill HRSA’s reporting requirements.

• You may decide the job qualifications and percentage of effort needed to effectively fulfill these duties.

Sustainability Throughout the period of performance, you should work with your network to make RCORP-Northern Border supported services sustainable. Additionally, all award recipients must conduct a financial resources assessment, to identify avenues for sustainability after the award. HRSA will provide additional information during the period of performance.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16

Award information Funding policies and limitations Policies

• We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Support beyond the first budget year will depend on:

◦ Annual appropriation of funds.

◦ Your satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives.

◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

• If we receive additional funding for this program, we may:

◦ Fund additional applicants from the rank order list.

◦ Extend the period of performance.

◦ Award supplemental funding.

General limitations

• For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrict, see Project

Budget Information in Section 3.1.4 of the Application Guide. You can also see 45 CFR part 75, or any superseding regulation, General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost.

• You cannot earn profit from the federal award. See 45 CFR 75.400(g).

• Congress’s current appropriations act includes a salary limitation, which applies to this program. As of January 2025, the salary rate limitation is $225,700. This limitation may be updated.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are costs you charge across more than one project that cannot be easily separated by project. For example, this could include utilities for a building that supports multiple projects).

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 – Approved rate. You currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75#75.400

Method 2 – De minimis rate. Per 2 CFR 200.414(f), if you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. If you choose this method, costs included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs.

This rate is 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely.

Program income Program income is money earned as a result of your award-supported project activities. You must use any program income you generate from awarded funds for approved project-related activities. Find more about program income at 45 CFR 75.307.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR911e5e1a30bfbcb/section-75.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 20

Find the application package 20

Application writing help 21

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist to find out what you’ll need to register.

When you register or update your SAM.gov registration, you must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations. You must agree to those for grants specifically, as opposed to contracts, because the two sets of agreements are different. You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HRSA-25-011.

After you select the opportunity, we recommend that you click the Subscribe button to get updates.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 20 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application/assurances-non-construction-programs https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application/assurances-non-construction-programs https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.grants.gov/search-grants

Application writing help Visit HHS Tips for Preparing Grant Proposals.

Visit HRSA’s How to Prepare Your Application page for more guidance.

See Apply for a Grant for other help and resources.

Join the webinar More information on HRSA-25-011’s webinar will be posted at a later date to the related documents tab here:

We recommend you “Subscribe” to the NOFO on Grants.gov to receive updates when documents are posted.

The Webinar will be recorded.

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 21 https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/get-ready-for-grants-management/tips-for-preparing-grant-proposals/index.html https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/358145

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 23

Application contents and format Applications include 5 main components. This section includes guidance on each.

Application page limit 60 pages.

Submit your information in English and express whole number budget figures using U.S. dollars.

Make sure you include each of these:

Components Submission format

Project abstract Use the Project Abstract Summary form.

Project narrative Use the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Budget narrative Use the Budget Narrative Attachment form.

Attachments Insert each in the Attachments form.

Other required forms Upload using each required form.

Required format You must format your narratives and attachments using our required formats for fonts, size, color, format, and margins. See the formatting guidelines in Section 3.2 of the Application Guide.

Project abstract Complete the information in the Project Abstract Summary form. Include a short description of your proposed project. Include the needs you plan to address, the proposed services, and the population groups you plan to serve. For more information, see Section 3.1.2 of the Application Guide.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 23 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=24 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13

Project narrative In this section, you will describe all aspects of your project. Project activities must comply with the non-discrimination requirements.

Use the section headers and the order listed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All required information must be located in the corresponding narrative section, as described below.

Background See merit review criterion 1: Background

• State the objective(s) of your proposed project.

• Briefly summarize the needs you are planning to address with your project.

• Describe the types of behavioral health workforce training you plan to implement.

• Briefly describe the target rural service area. Reminder: If your target rural service area contains any counties or census tracts that are NOT included in Appendix A, your application will not be reviewed or scored.

• Briefly describe target rural population.

Organizational Information See merit review criterion 2: Organizational Information

Overview

• Describe how the mission of your organization and the scope of current organizational activities align with the purpose and goals of RCORP-Northern Border project.

• Describe your organization’s connections and partnerships within the target rural service area and target rural population.

• Describe how the leadership of your organization will support the implementation of your proposed RCORP-Northern Border project.

• Describe how the different components of your organization, apart from leadership, will support the implementation of your proposed RCORP-Northern Border project and the effective management of HRSA funds.

• Describe how you will ensure that implementation of the project begins no later than September 1, 2026.

• Describe how your organization will work with your network to manage staff turnover and ensure continuity of the project’s operations and services.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 24

Staffing Plan

• Describe how you will manage your proposed project and ensure that the work plan is implemented effectively.

• Provide a high-level summary of your proposed staffing plan.

◦ The staffing plan must include a project director, learning collaborative point of contact, and data coordinator.

▪ Be sure to list the designated Project Director in Box 8f of the SF-424 Application Page.

• For positions that are currently vacant, describe how you will quickly fill the position if awarded, to avoid any delays in implementing the work plan.

• In Attachment 3, provide a staffing plan.

Staff Biosketches For each staff member reflected in the staffing plan, provide a brief biographical sketch in Attachment 6 that clearly demonstrates the staff member has appropriate and applicable experience for their role on the project. If an individual is fulfilling multiple roles in the proposed project, you may use a single biographical sketch to address their qualifications for each role.

The names reflected in the staffing plan must align with the names identified in the biographical sketches.

Network Reminder: In your application, you must specify that at least three additional organizations that you anticipate will be in your network and provide letters of commitment from each. Your network must consist of at least 4 separately owned entities (your organization plus 3 additional organizations). IMPORTANT: Applications that do not include letters of commitment from at least three proposed network members will not be reviewed or scored.

Additionally, at least 50% of your network members must have a physical location (either a headquarters or a satellite site) within the target rural service area.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t meet this requirement, we may consider your application non-responsive, and it might not be reviewed or scored.

• Describe how the network will be structured and managed.

• Describe how you will engage network members to ensure effective and productive collaboration.

• Describe how the network members represent the sectors that are necessary to support a coordinated, comprehensive, and sustainable approach to the goals of RCORP-Northern Border.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 25

• Describe how you will ensure that all network members have the capability and agree to share aggregate data to meet HRSA performance reporting requirements.

• In Attachment 4, include information for organizations that you anticipate will serve in the network and attest that the network will meet at least quarterly.

• In Attachment 5, include a letter of support from at least three anticipated network members.

Approach See merit review criterion 2: Approach

Goal 1: Training Form a network of local organizations to develop and implement innovative, evidence-based training programs focused on addressing the rural behavioral health workforce needs in rural northern border areas.

Justification of Need

• Use recent, reliable quantitative data to justify the need for the specific behavioral health workforce training programs you are proposing to implement in your target rural service area.

• Describe any existing behavioral health workforce training programs in your target rural service area, and how your network will complement, and not duplicate, these efforts.

Approach

• Clearly state the behavioral health profession(s) that you will train, and, if applicable, certify.

◦ NOTE: You must provide training in at least one behavioral health profession that, upon completion of training and any required certifications, is able to prescribe medication assisted treatment and bill third party payors for reimbursement of services (through any relevant mechanism, including incident-to billing).

◦ You may also provide training for behavioral health paraprofessionals, such as peer recovery support specialists and case managers.

◦ You may include cross training of existing providers, to enable them to offer new or expanded behavioral health care services (e.g., training a primary care physician to offer medication for opioid use disorder).

◦ Please see appendix B for a list of behavioral health professions for consideration.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 26

• Describe in detail the behavioral health workforce training programs you will implement. Include any certifications that students will receive after completion of the training program(s).

• Explain how you will recruit students and support them through completion of the program.

• Demonstrate that the anticipated number of individuals to be trained will be proportional to the size of your requested budget.

Resolution of Challenges

• Describe any challenges you may encounter, and how you will resolve them.

Goal 2: Placement Ensure that individuals completing RCORP-Northern Border funded training are placed and retained in supportive, well-compensated employment within the target rural service area, where they will utilize their behavioral health training and have opportunities for continued growth.

Justification of Need

• Use recent, reliable quantitative data to clearly and comprehensively justify the need for practicing behavioral health workforce in your target rural service area.

◦ The need for behavioral health workforce must align with the types of training programs that you will implement.

• Use recent, reliable quantitative data to describe needs related to behavioral health workforce retention and support in the target rural service area.

Approach

• Describe in detail how your network will ensure that individuals completing

RCORP-Northern Border funded training are placed in employment that:

◦ Is located within the target rural service area.

◦ Is supportive.

◦ Is well-compensated.

◦ Enables individuals to utilize their new behavioral health training and have opportunities for continued growth.

◦ Retains individuals for the long-term.

Resolution of Challenges

• Describe any challenges you may encounter, and how you will resolve them.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27

Goal 3: Sustainability Develop innovative, multi-sectoral approaches to ensure the continued availability of RCORP-Northern Border supported services in the target rural service area post-federal funding.

Justification of Need

• Describe existing collaborations or networks that are supporting the behavioral health workforce in the target rural service area, and why these efforts are insufficient and/or not sustainable.

Approach

• Describe how the network will work towards ensuring the continued availability

RCORP-Northern Border training and placement services implemented under Goals 1, and 2, to support the ongoing strengthening of the behavioral health workforce.

Resolution of Challenges

• Describe any challenges you may encounter, and how you will resolve them.

High-level work plan See merit review criteria 4: Work Plan

• In Attachment 2, provide a work plan that includes the specific activities and action steps that you will take to implement each of the approaches described in the previous section.

• Please see the Optional Work Plan Template that you may use as a resource and adjust as needed. The Optional Work Plan Template is not required.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 28

Data and Reporting See merit review criteria 5: Data and Reporting

• Describe how you will ensure that the network effectively collects, shares, and reports required HRSA performance measures.

◦ NOTE: Recipients will be expected to report detailed quantitative data related to the number of individuals trained through RCORP-Northern Border funds, where they are placed, services they provided upon placement. HRSA will provide additional guidance during the period of performance.

• Describe how you will use data, including but not limited to required HRSA performance measures, for the continuous improvement of RCORP-Northern Border Rural Workforce supported services.

See the reporting section for more information.

Budget and budget narrative See merit review criterion 6: Support requested

Your budget should follow the instructions in Section 3.1.4 Project Budget Information

– Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) of the Application Guide and the instructions listed in this section. Your budget should show a well-organized plan.

We strongly encourage you to consider budgeting RCORP-Northern Border funds to support network members’ participation in the project.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supply in 2 CFR 200.1. The new definitions change the threshold for equipment to the lesser of the recipient’s capitalization level or $10,000 and the threshold for supplies to below that amount.

The total project or program costs are all allowable (direct and indirect) costs used for the HRSA award activity or project. This includes costs charged to the award and non-federal funds used to satisfy a matching or cost-sharing requirement (which may include maintenance of effort, if applicable).

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in Standard Form 424-A.

See other required forms. It includes an itemized breakdown and a clear justification of the costs you request. The merit review committee reviews both.

As you develop your budget, consider:

• If the costs are reasonable and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• The restrictions on spending funds. See funding policies and limitations.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 29 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Supply)

• Travel: You must budget travel funds for up to two (2) program staff to attend a three-day program meeting in Washington, DC, once in every project year. You may also propose additional meetings and conferences that are directly related to the purpose of the program and will complement your project’s objectives.

• Sustainability: Your work plan and budget/budget narrative should reflect a shift from capacity-building activities to service delivery and sustainability over the course of the four-year period of performance.

• Network Members: We encourage you to consider budgeting RCORP-Impact funds to support network member participation in the project.

To create your budget narrative, see detailed instructions in Section 3.1.5 of the Application Guide.

Attachments Place your attachments in this order in the Attachments Form. See application checklist to determine if they count toward the page limit.

Attachment 1: General Project Information IMPORTANT: The information included in this attachment will be used to determine your application’s eligibility. Be sure that the information is complete and correct.

Provide the following information about your proposed project:

1. Project Title

2. Requested Award Amount

3. Applicant Organization Name

4. Applicant Organization Address

5. Applicant Organization Facility Type (e.g., Rural Health Clinic, Critical Access Hospital, Tribe/Tribal Organization, Health System, Institute of Higher Learning, Community-based Organization, Foundation, Rural Health Network, etc.)

6. Project Director Name and Title (should be the same individual designated in Box 8f of the SF-424 Application Form)

7. Project Director Contact Information (phone and email)

8. How the Applicant First Learned About the Funding Opportunity (select one: State Office of Rural Health, HRSA News Release, Grants.gov, HRSA Project Officer, HRSA Website, Technical Assistance Provider, State/Local Health Department)

9. Whether you are a: current RCORP award Recipient, previous RCORP award recipient, current RCORP Consortium member, or previous RCORP consortium member.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 30 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=18

10. RCORP-Northern Border Rural Workforce target service area (must include ONLY the rural counties and census tracts listed in Appendix A):

◦ Fully Rural Counties: Provide the county name and state

◦ Partially-Rural Counties: Provide county name, state, and the rural census tract Reminder: If your target rural service area contains any counties or census tracts that are NOT included in Appendix A your application will not be reviewed or scored.

11. Type(s) of training/certification that will be offered through the project.

Attachment 2: Work Plan Provide a work plan that includes the specific activities and action steps that you will take to implement each of the approaches described in the previous section. We strongly recommend that you provide your Work Plan in a well-formatted, easy to read table that has columns for activity/task, responsible staff, start date, completion date, and activity status.

The work plan must:

• Address all three RCORP-Northern Border Rural Workforce goals.

• Reflect a 4-year period of performance, including up to one year of planning.

Training activities must be fully operational by September 1, 2026.

• Include the names of the individuals/organizations who are responsible for implementing each specific activity.

• Include specific time frames for each activity (please do not list a time frame as ongoing. There should be a specific beginning and end date for each activity).

Attachment 3: Staffing plan & job descriptions See Section 4.1.vi of the Application Guide. Provide a staffing plan that includes the information below for each project staff and key information about each. It is strongly recommended that you provide this information in a table format. Be sure to include all required staff as described in the Staffing Requirements.

• Name (if not yet hired, state “TBH”).

• Title.

• Organizational affiliation.

• Full-time equivalent (FTE) devoted to the project (Note: You cannot bill more than

1.0 FTE across federal awards).

• List of roles and responsibilities on the project.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 31 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/sf424-application-guide.pdf#page=33

• Job title (e.g., project director, a learning collaborative.)

• Timeline and process for hiring/onboarding, if applicable.

Attachment 4: Network Members IMPORTANT: The information included in this attachment will be used to determine your application’s eligibility. Be sure that the information is complete and correct.

Reminder: You must specify that at least three additional organizations that you anticipate will be in your network and provide letters of commitment from each. Your network must consist of at least 4 separately owned entities (your organization plus 3 additional organizations). Applications that do not include letters of commitment from at least three proposed network members will not be reviewed or scored.

Additionally, at least 50% of your network members must have a physical location (either a headquarters or a satellite site) within the target rural service area. If you don’t meet this requirement, we may consider your application non-responsive, and it might not be reviewed or scored.

PART A:

Provide the following information for all organizations that you anticipate will serve in the network.

• Organization name

• Organization’s physical address

• Sector represented (e.g., education, health, transportation, etc.)

• Point of contact, including name, position title, and email

PART B:

Attest that your network will meet, at a minimum, once a quarter.

Attachment 5: Letters of Support Provide a letter of support from at least three additional anticipated network members.

The letter should include:

• An overview of the organization’s anticipated role in the proposed RCORP- Northern Border project

• A description of the organization’s ties to the target rural service area.

• A commitment to share performance data as needed with HRSA.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 32

Attachment 6: Biographical Sketches For each staff member reflected in the staffing plan, provide a brief biographical sketch that clearly demonstrates the staff member has appropriate and applicable experience for their role on the project. If an individual is fulfilling multiple roles in the proposed project, you may use a single biographical sketch to address their qualifications for each role. The names reflected in the staffing plan must align with the names identified in the biographical sketches.

Attachment 7: Shared EIN Distinct organizations located in different rural areas and serving different populations may submit individual applications, even if they have the same EIN/UEI. The applications must be unique and independently developed and written. All applicants applying under the same EIN/UEI MUST submit the required information described below.

NOTE: Single organizations (e.g., a parent organization/headquarters) may not apply more than once for this funding opportunity on behalf of its satellite offices or clinics.

If you provide insufficient information in Attachment 11, or submit multiple applications that are nearly identical, HRSA will only accept the last submitted application associated with the EIN/UEI number.

• EIN and UEI number for which there will be multiple applications.

• Name and street address of each organization applying under the same EIN/UEI.

• Name, title, email, and phone number for a point of contact at each of the organizations applying under the same EIN/UEI.

• Name and street address of the “parent” organization.

• Name, title, email address, and phone number for a point of contact at the parent organization.

• Proposed RCORP-Northern Border target rural service area for each of the organizations under the same EIN (these should not overlap).

• Attest that each organization applying under the same EIN/UEI will be independently responsible…