Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program Grant

The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program Grant, issued as RFA #100 by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), is a funding initiative aimed at supporting the implementation and expansion of AOT programs within Ohio’s county Probate Courts. Administered by DBH’s Bureau of Forensic Services, the grant seeks to enhance community-based treatment alternatives for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI), especially those who experience recurring hospitalizations, homelessness, or incarceration due to a lack of insight into their condition and need for consistent treatment. The AOT model emphasizes civil court-ordered outpatient treatment as a method to improve adherence to care, reduce institutional burden, and strengthen coordination between the legal and behavioral health systems. The purpose of this grant is to incentivize and support Probate Courts and their partners in the establishment or enhancement of AOT programs that align with the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Rule of Superintendence 79.01, adopted in July 2025. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to implement a local rule governing AOT procedures, including eligibility criteria, participant expectations, and confidentiality safeguards. Collaborative agreements with local Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Boards are essential to ensure comprehensive service provision and program administration. Each funded program must designate an AOT Monitor to oversee implementation and compliance. Selected grantees will carry out a broad scope of responsibilities including program design, stakeholder engagement, and performance evaluation. Program design must reflect a court-adopted local rule governing operations and must include procedures for referrals, participant expectations, and confidentiality. Stakeholder engagement requires formal collaboration with the local ADAMHS Board to support service delivery and outcome tracking. Additionally, programs must collect and report data on referrals, participant counts, successful completions, hospitalizations, incarcerations, and episodes of homelessness during the fiscal year. This data must be compiled in year-end reports and shared through DBH-specified survey tools. Eligible applicants include Ohio-based governmental entities or nonprofit organizations classified under 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Only entities with the capacity to fulfill all scope-of-work requirements are eligible for consideration. Up to 16 awards will be granted, with the maximum award not exceeding $100,000 per recipient. Award announcements are anticipated by March 3, 2026, with project implementation to follow promptly. While retroactive funding is allowed beginning July 1, 2025, all awarded funds must be expended by June 30, 2026. Continued funding in future years is contingent upon performance and funding availability. Applications are due by 3:00 PM Eastern on February 24, 2026, and must be submitted electronically to [email protected]. A bidders' conference will be held on February 11, 2026, from 12:00–1:00 PM. All questions must be submitted to the same email address by February 17, 2026. DBH will issue award notifications approximately two weeks after the application deadline. All applicants must review and follow guidance posted on the DBH website, including FAQs and amendments, and ensure adherence to all application and budget submission rules outlined in the RFA. Each application must contain a completed face sheet, abstract, project narrative, staffing plan, evidence-based practice plan, evaluation strategy, and budget. Adherence to the National CLAS Standards is required, and applicants must demonstrate cultural and linguistic competence. Project sustainability and a clear timeline with SMART objectives must be addressed. Scoring will be based on the quality, completeness, feasibility, and cost realism of the proposal. The grant supports a critical public health and criminal justice initiative that enables individuals with SMI to access stabilizing community-based treatment and promotes statewide equity in mental health interventions.

Collaborate with ADAMHS Boards and align to Rule 79.01. Prepare SMART objectives.