Safety Net/MOE Grant

The Safety Net and Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Grant Program is administered by the Buncombe County Health and Human Services’ Public Health Division. It is designed to support healthcare and wraparound services for uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise vulnerable populations in Buncombe County, North Carolina. The program draws from two distinct but related funding streams—County-supported Safety Net funds and State-directed Behavioral Health MOE funds administered in partnership with Vaya Health. Together, these funding streams represent an annual investment of up to $1.2 million to bolster local service delivery systems that address mental health, substance use, clinical care, and social determinants of health. The program was developed in response to documented community health needs, including insights from the Buncombe County Community Health Assessment, Community Health Improvement Plan, the County Strategic Plan, and feedback from collaborative bodies such as the Safety Net Committee and Behavioral Health Justice Collaborative. The MOE funds are specifically authorized under North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 122C-115(d)) and are earmarked for services addressing mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use, particularly for individuals ineligible for Medicaid or lacking health insurance. Grant awards are structured for a three-year cycle beginning in FY2027, with funding anticipated to run from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 for the first year. Renewal for up to two additional years is contingent on performance and budget availability. Safety Net funds are directly administered by Buncombe County and are subject to annual appropriation, while MOE funds are routed through Vaya Health and require invoicing and dual reporting. The application process is open to both nonprofit and for-profit organizations that operate in and serve residents of Buncombe County. Government departments and programs are not eligible to apply. Preference is given to projects that partner with smaller community-based organizations, especially those embedded within and trusted by underserved populations. Projects must align with at least one of three focus areas: Behavioral Health/Substance Use Services, Clinical Care and Whole Person Care, or Social Determinants of Health. The application consists of a structured questionnaire requiring concise responses (1500 characters max) across areas including organizational background, alignment with priorities, project plan, access strategies, evaluation plans, and budget narrative. Applicants must submit their proposals through the County’s online portal or via hard copy delivery to the Health & Human Services office. The 2026 application cycle opens January 16, with all submissions due by February 27 at 5:00 PM. Applicants may submit questions until January 30, and all responses will be posted by February 6. Applications will be reviewed from March 2 through March 20 by a scoring committee using a standardized rubric with six criteria: capacity, alignment, project plan, access, proposed results, and budget. Each criterion is rated from 1 to 5 for a total possible score of 30. Award announcements are expected by April 3, 2026. All funded projects must comply with defined scope, deliverables, and reporting as outlined in the final grant agreement.

Focus on partnerships with CBOs and clearly demonstrate alignment with health equity and access to care.