Ohio’s State Opioid and Stimulant Response (SOS) 4.0 Grant RFA

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is soliciting applications for the State Opioid and Stimulant Response (SOS) 4.0 Grant Year 2 funding cycle. This funding opportunity is aimed at Ohio Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADAMH) Boards and qualified non-profit community organizations that deliver prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services. It is designed to address opioid use disorder, stimulant use disorder, and concurrent substance use disorders in alignment with requirements from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). OhioMHAS will fund new or expansion projects that utilize evidence-based and community-defined practices targeting transitional aged youth (16-25), adults, families, and communities most affected by the overdose crisis. The grant supports initiatives that expand the continuum of care in prevention, treatment, and recovery, with a focus on culturally adapted and community-defined practices to foster long-term wellness and social connectedness. Priority service areas include FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in various settings, evidence-based prevention programs for all age groups, and recovery supports such as housing, peer support, and employment assistance. All harm reduction activities must comply with SAMHSA guidelines. Projects should demonstrate clear alignment with Ohio's SOS 4.0 goals, measurable outcomes, and the ability to serve populations experiencing disproportionate impacts of substance misuse. Eligible applicants include Ohio ADAMH Boards, 501(c)(3) or (4) non-profit community organizations, and government entities meeting licensing and certification requirements for behavioral health services. Applicants must have at least two years of experience delivering prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Recovery housing applicants must provide or ensure access to all forms of FDA-approved MOUD. All applicants and sub-awardees must meet SAMHSA’s minimum qualifications and have the capacity to deliver the scope of work described. The total anticipated funding available for Year 2 is up to $23,000,000, with a maximum award of $500,000 for direct-funded projects (boards are exempt from this cap). Awards are contingent on OhioMHAS receiving a Notice of Award and budget approval from SAMHSA. Funding decisions will be based on application quality, budget appropriateness, geographic and demographic coverage, and the presence of a viable sustainability plan. Awards may be renewed annually during the grant period if performance and reporting requirements are met. Applications must be submitted electronically to SOS4@mha.ohio.gov by August 25, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. Questions may be submitted to the FAQ mailbox by August 13, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EDT; responses will be posted on the OhioMHAS website. The project period for Year 2 runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2026, with potential continuation into Year 3. Applicants must be ready to begin work within seven working days after funds are encumbered and approved. The application package includes a face sheet, abstract, scope of work, prior experience, proposed implementation approach, outcome measures, and a budget expenditure form and narrative. Applications will be scored on criteria such as population of focus, measurable objectives, applicant and staffing qualifications, sustainability, prior experience, proposed evidence-based practices, and outcome measures. Recipients are required to collect and report data in compliance with SAMHSA’s Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) requirements, submit programmatic progress reports, and participate in OhioMHAS-sponsored monitoring activities. Fidelity to evidence-based practices and sustainability planning are critical components of the application.

Clearly state whether project is new or expansion; ensure sustainability plan; align with SOS 4.0 goals; comply with SAMHSA requirements