hrsa-25-066_BHWET-Para_final.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due March 18, 2025

Bureau of Health Workforce Division of Nursing and Public Health

Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals Opportunity number: HRSA-25-066

Modified on 1/24/25:

Updated TA Webinar information

Contents Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 10

Award information 15

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 17

Get registered 18

Find the application package 18

Application writing help 18

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 20

Application contents and format 21

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 38

Application review 39

Award notices 49

Step 5: Submit Your Application 50

Application submission and deadlines 51

Application checklist 52

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 54

Post-award requirements and administration 55

Contacts and Support 58

Endnotes 62

Contents 2

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 March 18, 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 3 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 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 10

Award information 15

Basic information Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Bureau of Health Workforce

Division of Nursing and Public Health

Develop and expand training for students preparing to be mental health workers, peer support specialists, and other behavioral health paraprofessionals.

Have questions?

Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts Opportunity name:

Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals

Opportunity number:

HRSA-25-066

Announcement version:

Modification #1

Federal assistance listing:

93.732

Statutory authority: Section 756(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.

§ 294e–1)(a)(4)

Key dates NOFO issue date: January 15, 2025

Informational webinar:

See Webinar Section

Application deadline: March 18, 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 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Paraprofessionals works to develop and expand community-based experiential training such as field placements and internships to increase the skills, knowledge and capacity of students preparing to become mental health workers, peer support specialists, and other behavioral health paraprofessionals.

A special focus is placed on developing knowledge and understanding of children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth (young adults) who have experienced trauma and are at risk for behavioral health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder.

Funding details Application types: New, competing continuation

Expected total available funding in FY 2025: $10.9 million

Expected number and type of awards: Approximately 29 grants

Funding range per award (including both direct and indirect costs):

• Up to $350,000 per year for programs only implementing Level 1: Pre-service training.

• Up to $500,000 per year for programs implementing Level 1: Pre-service and Level 2: In-service training.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:294e-1%20edition:prelim) https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:294e-1%20edition:prelim) https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:294e-1%20edition:prelim)

We plan to fund awards in four 12-month budget periods for a total 4-year period of performance of September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2029. Your request for years 2, 3, and 4 cannot exceed your year 1 request.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Eligibility Who can apply You can apply if you are a state-licensed mental health nonprofit or state-licensed mental health for-profit organization. Such state licensed organizations include government agencies or other organizations within a state that are legally permitted to offer training programs related to mental health and substance abuse treatment, such as a state-run mental health department, a public university with a psychology program, or a county-level behavioral health agency that is officially designated to provide such training. Eligible entities may also be academic institutions, such as universities, community colleges, technical schools, and domestic faith-based and community-based organizations.

Types of eligible organizations These types of domestic organizations may apply, if otherwise eligible. Domestic means located in 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:

• Public institutions of higher education

• Private institutions of higher education

◦ These may include universities, community colleges and technical schools, which must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, as specified by the U.S. Department of Education.

• Nonprofits with or without a 501(c)(3) IRS status

• Faith-based and community-based organizations

• Hospitals

• HRSA-funded health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

• Rural health clinics

• Other community-based clinical settings

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

• Native American tribal governments

• Native American tribal organizations

Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training for Paraprofessionals award recipients with funding that ends on August 31, 2025 can apply as a “Competing Continuation” applicant, so long as there is not a change in scope. Previous BHWET for

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Paraprofessionals recipients whose funding ended before September 1, 2021 should apply as a “New” applicant.

Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Other eligibility criteria

• Your training program must be either:

◦ Accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, as specified by the U.S. Department of Education, OR

◦ Approved by a state or tribal government to provide a behavioral health-related training program.

• You must provide a copy of your active accreditation or active approval from state government as Attachment 1.

• We will not consider any application that fails to submit active accreditation or active approval from state government as Attachment 1.

• You must maintain your accreditation or state approval status throughout the period of performance and notify us of any change in status.

Trainee eligibility To receive support under this program, a trainee must be one of the following:

• A U.S. citizen or non-citizen national.

• An individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States.

• Any other “qualified alien” under section 431(b) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-193, as amended.

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.

• Does not include documentation of accreditation or approval.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8

Application limits You may not submit more than one application per Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). If you submit more than one application under the same UEI, we will only accept the last on-time submission.

More than one application may be submitted from the same organization under separate UEIs.

Communication within your organization is encouraged to prevent duplication and to promote collaboration.

Cost sharing This program does not have a cost-sharing requirement.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

Program description Purpose The purpose of the BHWET Program for Paraprofessionals is to develop and expand community-based experiential training such as field placements and internships to increase the skills, knowledge and capacity of students preparing to become mental health workers, peer support specialists, and other behavioral health paraprofessionals.

The program has a special focus on developing knowledge and understanding of the needs of children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth who have experienced trauma and are at risk for behavioral health disorders including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder. The program also emphasizes developmental opportunities and educational support in interprofessional collaboration by using team-based care in integrated behavioral health and primary care settings to improve the distribution of a well-trained behavioral health workforce. The program also aims to recruit a workforce that is interested in serving high need and high demand areas.

For the purpose of this NOFO, all training will be separated into two levels:

• Level 1: Pre-service: Includes didactic and experiential field training.

• Level 2: In-service (optional): Training at a registered Department of Labor apprenticeship site.

All paraprofessional training that does not fall under the definition of a registered apprenticeship will be defined as Level 1: Pre-service training as further explained in Program Requirements and Expectations.

Registered apprenticeships (Level 2) are not a program requirement. You are not required to implement Level 2 in your proposal to be considered eligible for this program. If you are implementing Level 2 in your proposed training project, you can receive an additional 5 points in Criteria 2: Response/Approach.

Background The United States continues to face both a mental health and substance use disorder crisis. In 2022, among adults 18 years of age or older, an estimated 32.9 percent (or 84.2 million people) had either any mental illness (AMI) or a substance use disorder (SUD).[1]

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States during 2023 — a decrease of 3 percent from the 111,029 deaths estimated in 2022. This is the first annual decrease in drug overdose deaths since 2018.[2]

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10

For children and adolescents, it is estimated that 3.6 percent of 10- to 14-year-olds and

4.6 percent of 15- to 19-year-olds experience an anxiety disorder. [3] Depression is estimated to occur among 1.1 percent of adolescents aged 10 to 14 years, and 2.8 percent of 15- to 19-year-olds.[4] While rates of substance use among young people have remained stable over the past few years, overdose rates among teens have continued to rise.[5] The rise in child and adolescent behavioral health concerns has led to the need for an expanded workforce to meet the needs of our nation’s families.[6]

Addressing better access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services is one of the strategies to improve these statistics and remains a priority for behavioral health workforce programs.[7]

The BHWET Program for Paraprofessionals plays a vital role in this effort. The need for behavioral health paraprofessionals, including peer support specialists, mental health workers, recovery coaches, and community health workers is critical, particularly in underserved communities.[8] They provide crucial support to individuals with behavioral health needs by offering accessible, community-based assistance, often acting as a bridge between clients and licensed professionals, helping to address social needs, teach coping skills, and increase engagement in treatment.[9] Peer paraprofessionals in particular have proven to be impactful in the areas of adult behavioral health disorders, and for persons with chronic medical conditions.[10] Peer paraprofessionals are increasingly being hired not only for their unique ability to use their personal lived (and living) experience, but also to cover gaps left by the shortage of other mental health care professionals, particularly in underserved communities.[11]

This program aims to meet these needs by providing trainees the opportunity for tuition and stipend support, didactic and experiential training, combined with the opportunity for on-the-job training in a registered apprenticeship program. Research shows that registered apprenticeship programs are an evidence-based approach to help individuals build technical skills and gain quality employment.[12] Registered apprenticeship programs can be a viable and accessible pathway into behavioral health careers, which in turn could improve the availability of services and positive outcomes for those impacted by substance use disorders.[13] In addition, behavioral health paraprofessional apprenticeship programs provide unique career opportunities through classroom learning and field placements, development of skills, and access to expert staff, facilitators, and training instructors in SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services.[14] This will enable individuals with the skills and interest in these behavioral health occupations to obtain education, credentials, and meaningful employment.[15]

Access to treatment for behavioral health conditions relies, in part, on the supply of available providers.[16] Studies have shown that providing didactic, experiential training opportunities in underserved communities can influence providers to practice in those communities, and educating and engaging trainees who are from high need

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 and high demand areas can increase the chances that they will practice in those areas in the future.[17]

Program goal Develop and expand community-based experiential training to increase the skills and knowledge of individuals preparing to become mental health workers, peer support specialists, and other behavioral health paraprofessionals.

Program objectives

• Establish and enhance relationships with community-based partners to expand and improve access to quality behavioral health services in high need and high demand areas.

• Promote collaborative training by using team-based models of care in integrated or interprofessional behavioral health and primary care settings.

• Recruit a workforce interested in working with children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth in high need communities.

Program requirements and expectations You must address the following in your application and meet these expectations if you receive an award.

• Provide a Level 1 pre-service training program, including didactic and experiential field training.

• Provide required tuition and stipend support to Level 1 pre-service and, as applicable, Level 2 in-service trainees, for no less than 6 consecutive months and no more than 12 consecutive months (or 24 months for part-time students).

◦ A special focus on paraprofessional child and adolescent mental health workers in Level 1 and Level 2 training is encouraged, including training to increase skills and capacity to meet the needs of children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth who have experienced trauma.

• Recruit individuals for training as mental health workers, peer support specialists, and other behavioral health paraprofessionals interested in serving high-need and high-demand areas.

• Improve trainees’ cultural competence to meet the needs of underserved communities. Provide training based on the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care Standards.

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concerns of the population served, especially individuals with mental health disorder symptoms or diagnoses, particularly children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

• Establish or leverage partnerships with community-based organizations and tribal colleges to provide experiential training, career development, and job placement following completion of training.

• Enhance existing certificate training programs with curriculum development or other improvements, including experiential learning in the form of field placements or internships.

• Incorporate technology integration by providing options for distance learning, didactic and experiential training activities, and telehealth services, and by increasing digital health literacy.

• Promote the integration of behavioral health into primary care, school-based, and interprofessional settings to improve access to quality behavioral health services in high need and high demand areas.

• Conduct continuous quality improvement and program evaluation at completion of the period of performance.

• Participate in federally designed evaluations to assess program effectiveness upon request.

• Collaborate regularly with other BHWET Program for Paraprofessionals grant recipients to leverage resources and enhance interprofessional training opportunities.

Level 2: In-service training/apprenticeship (optional)

• If implementing Level 2 in-service training, aim for at least 35 percent of those who complete Level 1 pre-service training to enter a Level 2 in-service registered apprenticeship program for each year of the grant. You will serve as the conduit between the Level 1 step and the apprenticeship training program.

• Level 2 in-service training consists of an apprenticeship with on-the-job training that happens after Level 1 pre-service training. This model combines on-the-job training with instruction and emphasizes team-based practices to attain skills that meet national standards. The model also involves progressive increases in an apprentice’s wages.

• You can develop your own registered apprenticeship program or establish a partnership with an existing registered apprenticeship program that has been registered with the Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency. Tribes or tribal organizations may request to use the Indian Health Service Community Health Aide Program model of apprenticeship.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nawdp.org/resource/resmgr/registered_apprenticeship_standards/registeredapprenticeshipstan.pdf

• You must provide a fixed stipend of $8,500 per year for full-time Level 2 in-service trainees during their apprenticeship for up to one year. Part-time trainees in Level 2 will receive a fixed stipend of $4,250 per year, up to a maximum of 2 years. You will determine full-time and part-time status.

• You must include a Memorandum of Understanding with Level 2 in-service registered apprenticeship sites as Attachment 11.

• If, at the time you submit your application, you have not yet established a relationship with a registered apprenticeship site, you will be allowed a maximum of 12 months from the date of your award to enter into an MOU and submit it to

HRSA.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14

Award information Funding policies and limitations Policies

• We will only make awards if this program receives an appropriation. Current funding is provided for a portion of the year under a continuing resolution.

Depending on the funding level Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will determine whether we move forward with the review and award process, as well as the number of projects that can be funded.

• Support beyond the first budget year will depend on:

◦ Appropriation of funds.

◦ Satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives.

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

If we receive more funding than planned for this program, we may:

• Fund more applicants from the rank order list.

• Extend the period of performance.

• Award supplemental funding.

Maintenance of effort Federal funds must add to any existing non-federal funds for your proposed activities. If you receive an award, you will have to spend at least as much as you spent in the last fiscal year before the award.

42 U.S.C. § 295n-2(b) (Section 797(c) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act) requires this. We will enforce these statutory requirements through all available mechanisms.

You must provide supporting documentation in Attachment 6.

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 R&R 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).

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75#75.400

• 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. Note this limitation may be updated.

See Manage Your Grant for other information on costs and financial management.

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).

Per 45 CFR 75.414(c), indirect costs for training awards cannot exceed 8 percent of modified total direct costs.

For modified total direct costs, we use the definition at 2 CFR 200.1. MTDC means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $50,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs, and the portion of each subaward in excess of $50,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

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 16 https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/manage-your-grant https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/section-75.414#p-75.414(c) 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 18

Find the application package 18

Application writing help 18

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.

Need help? See Contacts and Support.

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-25-066.

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

Application writing help Visit HHS Tips for Preparing Grant Proposals.

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

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18 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 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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 19

Join the webinar More information on HRSA-25-066’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.

We will record the webinar. Visit the HRSA’s open opportunities website to learn more about the resources available for this funding opportunity.

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/355770

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 21

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 form Included in the page limit?

Project abstract Use the Project Abstract Summary Form. No

Project narrative Research and Related Other Project Information. Yes

Budget narrative Use the Research and Related Budget form (Line L). Yes

Attachments Insert each in the Other Attachments form. Yes, unless otherwise marked.

Other required forms

Upload using each required form. Indicated in the other required forms section.

See the application checklist for a full list of all application requirements. See form instructions for more detail on completing each 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 R&R 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. When applicable, identify if you are requesting a funding priority or preference. For more information, see section 3.1.2 of the R&R Application Guide.

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 21 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=25 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=25 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=1

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

Use the following section headers in the order as listed.

Introduction and purpose See merit review criterion 1: Purpose and need

• Briefly describe the purpose of your project.

• Briefly describe the behavioral health workforce needs of the local community, including the patient populations served at the Level 1 pre-service and Level 2 in-service training sites (as applicable).

• Describe the services that trainees will provide to address these needs.

• Include the efforts you will make to address the non-academic barriers to trainee’s access to education and success in your program. Trainees include students and program participants. These barriers might include:

◦ Physical and mental health

◦ Psychological health

◦ Physical environment

◦ Social environment

◦ Gaps in foundational knowledge

◦ Economic stability

◦ Access to services (for example, transportation, career development, and accessibility services)

• Propose an actionable framework that targets learning disparities and expands learning opportunities to support diversity, equity, and inclusion. This framework may include recruitment of students in high need and high demand areas.

Need See merit review criterion 1: Purpose and need

• Describe trainees and their unmet needs this program will address. Trainees include students and program participants.

• Discuss any relevant barriers to trainees’ access to education and success in your program. These barriers might include physical and mental health, social environment, gaps in foundational knowledge, economic stability, and access to services (for example, transportation, career development, and accessibility services).

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22

• Describe the gaps in service that trainees will provide to address the identified needs to implementing your program.

• Use and cite demographic data as part of the descriptions and explanations above, as applicable.

Approach See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Tell us how you’ll address your stated needs and meet the program requirements and expectations described in this NOFO.

• Describe how you will prepare trainees to work on integrated or interprofessional teams to provide services to children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth who have experienced trauma and are at risk for mental health disorders.

• Describe how you will recruit trainees interested in working with children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth in high need and high demand areas.

• Describe how you will enhance the existing paraprofessional certificate program(s) through curriculum development or enhancement and inclusion of experiential learning in the form of field placements or internships. Provide supporting documentation of certificate training curriculum, courses, and prerequisites as Attachment 7.

• Explain how you will develop and deliver experiential and didactic coursework to develop interprofessional team competency.

• Discuss how you will identify supervisors or mentors to support trainees.

• Explain your strategies to improve trainees’ cultural competence to meet the needs of underserved communities. Include those that increase the use of culturally and linguistically appropriate services by providing training based on the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care Standards.

• Provide a student commitment letter template in Attachment 4.

• As applicable, describe a strategy to help trainees who complete Level 1 pre-service training to transition into a Level 2 in-service registered apprenticeship program and how you will aim for at least a 35 percent rate of transition into Level 2 from Level 1.

• Describe how you will implement a disbursement plan for both Level 1 pre-service training and, as applicable, for Level 2 in-service training support.

• Include the disbursement schedule of that support and be consistent with your institution’s policies and procedures. The difference between Level 1 pre-service disbursement and Level 2 in-service disbursement (as applicable) should be clear.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 23

• If implementing Level 2 in-service training, discuss how you will identify registered apprenticeship sites or create new registered apprenticeship sites and place trainees in those sites.

• If it applies, explain how you will provide “on-the-job training” through a registered Level 2 in-service apprenticeship program.

Table 1: Experiential training sites

Site name [Site 1] [Site 2] [Site 3] [Site 4]

Address

Number of trainees

Work hours per trainee

Offers tele- behavioral health services (yes/no)

Integrates behavioral health into primary care (yes/no)

Has interprofessional training (yes/no)

Mental health or Facility HPSA score of the experiential site, using the Find HPSA Tool

Geographical area considered rural as defined by the HRSA Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), found in the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer (yes/no)

School-Based Health Center (SBHC) (yes/no)

High-level work plan See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Discuss your overall work plan.

• Describe how you will achieve each objective during the performance period.

• Provide a timeline that includes each activity and identifies who is responsible for each.

• Identify how key stakeholders will help plan, design, and carry out all activities.

• Include the extent to which these stakeholders address the needs of the populations and communities served.

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 24 https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/hpsa-find https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/rural-health

• Identify the number, type of paraprofessional, of full-time and part-time BHWET Paraprofessional trainees you expect to train each year of the performance period.

• Identify the methods you’ll use to deliver the proposed training.

• Describe how you intend to support program completers in securing employment in high need and high demand areas.

You will also include a more detailed work plan in your Standardized Work Plan (SWP).

See Standard Forms.

Resolving challenges See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Discuss challenges that you are likely to encounter in designing and carrying out the activities in the work plan. Address challenges related to recruitment, retention, education, training, job placement, and career development of BHWET Paraprofessionals trainees in high need and high demand areas.

• Discuss the anticipated challenges of identifying and collaborating with experiential sites.

• Explain approaches you’ll use to resolve the challenges noted above.

Performance reporting and evaluation See merit review criteria 3: Impact and 4: Resources and capabilities

• Outcomes. Describe the expected outcomes (desired results) of the funded activities.

• Performance measurement and reporting. See BHWET program Reporting Manual for performance measure requirements and examples of reporting forms.

◦ Describe how you will collect and report required performance data accurately and on time.

◦ Describe how you will manage and securely store data.

◦ Include how you will report and collect National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers for participants. Project trainees in eligible disciplines must apply for and report on an NPI (as applicable).

◦ Describe your process to track trainees after program completion for at least one year.

◦ Describe how you will monitor and analyze performance data to support continuous quality improvement.

• Program evaluation. The evaluation should examine processes and progress toward program goals, program objectives, and expected outcomes. Evaluations must follow the HHS Evaluation Policy, as well as the standards and best practices

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 25 https://grants4.hrsa.gov/WebBPMHExternal/Interface/ProgramManualhtmL.aspx?FormCode=1&IsPM=True&EHBActivityCode=M01 https://grants4.hrsa.gov/WebBPMHExternal/Interface/ProgramManualhtmL.aspx?FormCode=1&IsPM=True&EHBActivityCode=M01 https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_legacy_files/200386/hhs-evaluation-policy.pdf described in OMB Memorandum M-20-12. Describe your plan to evaluate the project. Include:

◦ The evaluation questions, methods, data to be collected, and timeline for implementation.

◦ The evaluation barriers and your plan to address them.

◦ The evaluation capacity of your organization and staff. Include experience, skills, and knowledge.

◦ How you will disseminate results, how you will assess whether your dissemination plan is effective, whether the results are national in scope, and the extent of potential replication.

See Reporting for more information.

Sustainability See merit review criterion 3: Impact

We expect you to sustain key project elements that improve practices and outcomes for the target population. Propose a plan for project sustainability after the period of federal funding ends.

Describe the actions you’ll take to:

• Highlight key elements of your projects. Examples include training methods or strategies that have been effective in improving practices.

• Obtain future sources of funding.

• Determine the timing to become self-sufficient.

• Discuss challenges that you will likely encounter in sustaining the program.

Include how you plan to resolve these challenges.

Organizational information See merit review criterion 4: Resources and capabilities

• Briefly describe your mission, structure, and the scope of your current activities.

Explain how they support your ability to carry out the program requirements.

Include a project organization chart as Attachment 2. Discuss how you’ll follow the approved plan, account for federal funds, and record all costs to avoid audit findings.

• Describe how you’ll assess the unique needs of the trainees you serve.

• Describe the organizations you will partner with to fulfill the program goals and meet the training objectives. Include key agreements and letters of support in Attachment 10.

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 26 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/M-20-12.pdf

• Include a staffing plan and job descriptions for key faculty and staff in Attachment 5.

• You will also include biographical sketches for key staff using the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile form. See Standard Forms. There can only be one project director (PD). The PD must be employed by the awarded applicant organization. The PD is encouraged to dedicate approximately 20 percent of their time to grant activities and can be funded in kind or through BHWET-Para grant funding.

Budget and budget narrative See merit review criterion 5: Support requested

Your budget should follow the instructions in section 3.1.4 of the R&R Application Guide and any specific instructions listed in this section.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supplies 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.

Reminder: Indirect costs for training awards cannot exceed 8% of modified total direct costs. The total project or program costs are all allowable (direct and indirect) costs incurred for the HRSA award activity or project. This includes costs charged to the award and non-federal funds used to satisfy any matching or cost-sharing requirement (which may include maintenance of effort, if applicable).

In addition, grant funds may not be used for the following:

• Liability insurance, unemployment insurance, life insurance, taxes, fees, retirement plans, or other fringe benefits for trainees.

• Accreditation costs (such as renewals, annual fees, and so on).

• Licensure and exam costs, registration, and administration fees (though funds may be used for licensure preparation training materials).

• Construction.

• Foreign travel.

• Continuing education credits (CE).

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in the Research and Related Budget Form. See other required standard forms. Your budget should show a well-organized plan. The merit review committee reviews both.

The budget narrative includes an itemized breakdown and a clear justification of the requested costs. As you develop your budget, consider:

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=1 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Supplies)

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

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

To create your budget narrative, see detailed instructions in section 3.1.5 of the R&R Application Guide. Follow these additional instructions specific to this NOFO.

Participant and trainee support costs You may request up to $4,000 per Level I pre-service trainee and up to $1,500 per Level 2 in-service trainee for participant and trainee support costs (see Table 2). Fifty percent of the total amount requested must be used for tuition, fees, supplies, and stipends only. All other requested support costs must be budgeted out of program management. No more than one year (12 months) of trainee support costs and stipend support is allowed per full-time trainee. Part-time trainees are allowed to receive a stipend prorated at one-half of the fixed amount for no more than two years (24 months).

In your application you must:

• List tuition, fees, supplies, stipends, health insurance, travel, conference fees, and other allowable costs.

• Identify the number of participants and trainees by discipline for each budget year.

• Separate these costs from others so we can identify them easily.

• Include a subtotal entitled “Total Student and Trainee Support Costs” with the summary of these costs.

Student stipends

• You must request a fixed stipend of $6,000 per Level I pre-service trainee and

$8,500 per Level 2 in-service trainee as stated in Table 2.

• At least 50 percent of your total requested budget (direct and indirect costs) must be used only for stipends and eligible trainee support costs for BHWET Program for Paraprofessionals trainees.

• All other program management costs must be budgeted out of the remaining 50 percent.

• Stipends are allowances for trainees/students to help with cost-of-living expenses.

Stipends can be used at the discretion of the trainee/student and are not provided as a condition of employment or to be used for tuition, fees, or other trainee support costs.

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 28

• You are not allowed to provide stipends to trainees at less than the amounts specified, but you may choose to provide higher stipend amounts by including funds from other non-federal sources.

• Students receiving stipend support must sign a student commitment letter (see Attachment 4) where they commit to completing the experiential training.

See Manage Your Grant for other information on costs and financial management.

Table 2: Student stipends

Training Level

Enrollment status

Fixed stipend per trainee

Trainee support (tuition/fees, supplies)

Maximum support (stipend and trainee support)

Maximum eligibility for support

Level 1 Part-Time $6,000 Up to $4,000 $10,000 24 months

Full-Time $6,000 Up to $4,000 $10,000 12 months

Level 2 Part-Time $8,500 Up to $1,500 $10,000 24 months

Full-Time $8,500 Up to $1,500 $10,000 12 months

See Manage Your Grant for other information on costs and financial management.

Administration and Program Management Fifty percent of your requested budget may be dedicated to grant recipient activities for career development in behavioral health for paraprofessionals to:

• Encourage career progression

• Travel, attendance at conferences

• Preparation for certification exams

• Financial support for the supervision of students in experiential field placement

• Data collection

• Administration and management

Supervisor costs Supervisors can be either your employee, contractor, or consultant. You can support supervisor costs with this grant. These costs are unique and different than trainee costs, which are for your students. Allowable supervisor costs may include:

• Stipends or allowance (paid as salary for employees or allowance)

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 29 https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/manage-your-grant https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/manage-your-grant

• Continuing education, other trainings, and related fees

• Travel

Note: You cannot require students to pay for supervisor costs.

• If the supervisor is an employee, specify those costs under section B: Other Personnel, Section D: Travel, and Section F: Other Direct Costs.

• If the supervisor is a consultant or contractor, lists those costs under section F:

Other Direct Costs.

• Include the number of supervisors in your budget narrative.

Consultant services Identify each consultant, the services they will perform, the total number of days, travel costs, and the total estimated costs.

Attachments Place your PDF attachments in order in the Attachments form.

Attachment 1: Proof of Accreditation or State Approval Required. Counts toward page limit.

You must maintain your accreditation or state approval status throughout the performance period and notify us of any change in status.

Entities qualifying with an active or provisional accreditation:

As Attachment 1, provide documentation of your certificate training program accreditation, or provisional accreditation. Please do not provide only the web link to the accreditation body’s website. HRSA will not open any links included in the application. You must submit documentation that:

• Provides a copy of an active accreditation.

• Includes the name of the accrediting body.

• Provides the date of initial accreditation approval.

• Outlines the date of the next expected accrediting or approval body review (or expiration date of current accreditation or approval).

• Provides proof of status if you have provisional accreditation.

• Demonstrates that you are not on probation.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 30

Entities qualifying with approval by a state or tribal government:

As Attachment 1, provide documentation that your organization is approved by a state or tribal government to provide a behavioral health paraprofessional certificate training program. If your state does not provide a formal state license or certification document, please submit documentation (for example, a signed official letter) from your state indicating that your organization is otherwise licensed, certified, or authorized by a state or tribal government to provide training in behavioral health.

Attachment 2: Project organizational chart Required. Counts toward page limit.

Provide a one-page diagram that shows the full project’s organizational structure.

Include all aspects, not just the applicant organization.

Attachment 3: Level 1 Experiential training site documentation Required. Counts toward page limit.

Provide a description of the training sites as depicted in Table 1 in the Approach section, including the number of hours per week that each trainee will participate in their rotation. Additionally, you will receive five (5) points in review Criterion 2:

Response/Approach, if at least one of your training site locations meets the qualification for high need and high demand areas as defined in this NOFO using the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer and the Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) Find Tool. To validate the data, you must include the specific addresses for the partnering training sites. All data must be appropriately cited as valid at the time of application and are subject to verification.

Attachment 4: Student commitment letter Required. Counts toward page limit.

Provide a copy of a student commitment letter template. At a minimum the student commitment letter must include:

• Stipend disbursement plan outlining amount of stipend support for each level of training, frequency of disbursement, and length of time receiving support.

• Experiential training requirements or expectations (such as the number of hours and length of time).

• Required data reporting, including, but not limited to, demographics and 1-year post-completion employment status.

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 31 https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/rural-health https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/hpsa-find https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/hpsa-find

Attachment 5: Staffing plan and job descriptions Required. Counts toward page limit.

See Section 3.1.7 of the R&R Application Guide.

Include a staffing plan that shows the staff positions that will support the project and key information about each.