Community Outreach and Improving Patient Engagement and Whole Person Care at Opioid Treatment Programs

The District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), through its Adult Services Administration and the State Opioid Response Program, has announced the availability of funding under the District of Columbia Opioid Response (DCOR) Grant Opportunity. This particular initiative focuses on Community Outreach and Improving Patient Engagement and Whole Person Care at Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). DBH serves as the lead behavioral health agency in Washington, D.C., tasked with providing prevention, intervention, and treatment services for residents with mental health and substance use disorders. The funding is intended to enhance engagement, retention, and the overall quality of care for individuals receiving opioid treatment through certified programs in the District. The primary objective of this grant opportunity is to support initiatives that address barriers to treatment, re-engage patients who have prematurely exited care, and strengthen ongoing support for current patients. Grantees are expected to conduct community outreach and implement holistic strategies that improve overall wellness and enhance treatment retention among opioid-dependent individuals. The program emphasizes "whole person care," integrating physical, emotional, and behavioral health services into the treatment model. These efforts are part of DBH’s broader effort under the State Opioid Response framework to reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality in the city. Eligible applicants must be certified Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) operating under 42 CFR Part 8 and be physically located and currently operating in Washington, D.C. This strict eligibility requirement ensures that only organizations with the appropriate certifications and presence in the District can apply, aligning with DBH’s mandate to fund localized, high-impact services. The grant opportunity is limited in scope, with an anticipated maximum of three awards and a total funding pool of $150,000 available for a two-month implementation period in FY2025. Each award may go up to $50,000. No minimum award floor is specified. The official Request for Applications (RFA) associated with this NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) is scheduled for release on Friday, June 27, 2025. A Pre-Application Conference will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET via Microsoft Teams. Interested applicants must submit a Letter of Intent by July 3, 2025, and final applications are due by Friday, July 18, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET. These deadlines are critical for those intending to apply and should be closely monitored. All application materials and guidance will be detailed in the forthcoming RFA. The funding opportunity is authorized under Title II Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 and supported by federal assistance listing number 93.788, with the associated Federal Award ID being 1H79TI085728-01. No cost sharing or matching requirement is imposed on applicants. However, applicants must be registered in the federal Systems for Award Management (SAM), possess a valid Tax ID and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and must not be individuals as DBH does not fund individual applicants. The designated program contact for this funding opportunity is Sharon Hunt, L.I.C.S.W., Ph.D., who serves as the State Opioid Treatment Authority. She can be reached at sharon.hunt@dc.gov. Additional details and future updates may be accessed through the DBH RFA Opportunities page or Serve DC’s community grant listings. DBH reserves the right to amend or rescind this NOFA depending on funding availability and administrative requirements.