NOFO: CORS

Summary

CORS subawards will fund outreach teams that provide recovery supports and services for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and other SUDs experiencing homelessness or housing instability and at risk of overdose, medical complications, and incarceration. Organizations providing substance use recovery, peer, harm reduction, and treatment services throughout the state may apply. Communities disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis will be given priority.

Item	Description
Awarding Agency Name	Regional Care Coordination Agency
Contact	Randi Moberly, Ph.D., CADC ilrcca@ahpnet.com 312-386-7505
Funding Opportunity Title	Community Outreach and Recovery Supports (CORS)
Announcement Type	Competitive Subaward
Application Posting Date	January 3, 2024
Application Closing Date	February 16, 2024
Technical Assistance Session	January 11, 2024 at 1:00 PM CST. Attendance is not required and the video will be posted.
Anticipated Notice of Award	March 20, 2024
Application Process	Interested entities must submit their completed applications via SurveyMonkey Apply. All applicants must use this portal for submission. If you have an access issue, please contact ilrcca@ahpnet.com or call 312-386-7505, ext. 727, by January 24, 2023 to discuss accommodations.
Award Funding Source	Opioid Settlement Remediation Trust Fund
Estimated Total Program Funding	$15 million over 3 years ($5 million per year)
Anticipated Number of Awards	Up to 14
Award range	$325,000-$350,000 per period of performance
Period of Performance	The anticipated period of performance is May 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. This period of performance will include two funding periods: Funding Period 1: May 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024 Funding Period 2: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Cost-Sharing or Matching Requirement	No
Indirect Costs Allowed	Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs	Restrictions to indirect costs in accordance with Title 44 Part 7000. All subrecipients, excluding local educational agencies (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1) must make an indirect cost election during the application process.

A. Description

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) sets forth the requirements for program applications based on the Community Outreach and Recovery Services (CORS) model.

A.1. Authorizing Statutes or Regulations

Awardees are required to adhere to the requirements outlined in the following:

Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), 30 ILCS 708
Illinois Administrative Code, Government Contracts, Title 44, Part 7000
Grantmaking, Procurement, and Property Management, and federal regulations under Grants and Agreements, 2 CFR 200
The requirements and policies outlined in the IDHS/SUPR Contractual Policy Manual

A.2. Background

In 2013, 1,072 people in Illinois died of an opioid overdose.¹ In 2020, the number of fatal overdoses reached 2,000,² and in 2021 and 2022, surpassed 3,000.³ The opioid overdose epidemic has accelerated nationwide. To hold companies responsible for their roles in the opioid crisis, the Illinois Attorney General has engaged in multiple investigations, lawsuits, and settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and chain pharmacies. The funds from the settlements will support recovery in communities hardest hit by the opioid crisis and throughout the state.

The Illinois Office of Opioid Settlement Administration (OOSA) is the entity responsible for planning, administering, and managing 55% of the funds received from opioid settlements according to the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement and Executive Order 2022-19. The established processes ensure transparency and consideration of regional needs such as overdose rates, disparities created for specific populations, and resources to address opioid related harms. The OOSA is housed within the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR).

About IDHS/SUPR

The mission of IDHS/SUPR is to provide a recovery-oriented system of care along the continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support where individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), those in recovery, and those at risk are valued and treated with dignity and where stigma, accompanying attitudes, discrimination, and other barriers to recovery are eliminated.

IDHS/SUPR is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work addresses existing institutionalized inequities, aims to create transformation, and operationalizes equity and racial and social justice. It also focuses on creating a culture of inclusivity for all, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.

A.3. Need

The funds from the settlements will support recovery in communities hardest hit by the opioid crisis and throughout the state. Fund distributions must be used equitably in service areas disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis as outlined in the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement, for example, areas with the following characteristics:

High opioid fatality rates, including
- Counties other than Cook County with a crude rate of 1.8 or greater per 100,000 people and
- Zip codes within Cook County with more than 100 overdoses (fatal and nonfatal) within the most recent year included in the Illinois Opioid Data Dashboard, http://idph.illinois.gov/opioiddatadashboard/

Concentrated poverty, including
- Counties other than Cook County with a poverty rate greater than 12 percent and
- Zip codes within Cook County with a poverty rate greater than 12 percent, per the U.S. Census Bureau, https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/map/IL/

Concentrated firearm violence, including communities eligible for Reimagine Public Safety Act funding, https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=144282
Other conditions that hinder the communities from reaching their full potential for health and well-being, including counties other than Cook with a crude nonfatal overdose rate of 4.0 or greater per 100,000 people, as listed in the Illinois Opioid Data Dashboard, http://idph.illinois.gov/opioiddatadashboard/

Recent research conducted by the University of Chicago suggests that housing instability is a significant risk factor for fatal overdose among people who inject drugs. The study defines housing instability broadly, to include five factors: (1) housing type and tenure, (2) self-reported homelessness, (3) income level, (4) source of income, and (5) past incarceration.⁴ These findings are consistent with overall elevated rates of SUD among people experiencing housing instability: about one in six people (including children) experiencing homelessness in Illinois has a chronic SUD.⁵In Illinois, risk of overdose and housing instability are also connected with racial disparities, disproportionately affecting Black residents of the state. The non-Hispanic Black population has the highest overall overdose fatality rate and the highest rate in all age groups except 25–34.⁶ Additionally, 61 percent of Illinoisans experiencing homelessness are Black, even though only 14 percent of state residents are Black.⁷ ⁸

A.4. Funding Source

The Office of the Illinois Attorney General has certified—and the Governor’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee has approved—the use of up to $15 million from the Illinois Opioid Remediation State Trust Fund (Fund) for the CORS opioid abatement strategy in accordance with the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement and the Fund allocation process. In April 2023, IDHS/SUPR awarded Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) grant to serve as the Regional Care Coordination Agency (RCCA). The RCCA administers subawards with organizations providing prevention, intervention, treatment, and harm reduction services for people with SUDs in accordance with state-approved strategies.

The RCCA is now accepting applications for programs based on the CORS model. Applications will only be accepted online.

A.5. Scope of Services

The priority population for CORS is individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and other SUDs experiencing homelessness or housing instability and at risk of overdose, medical complications, and incarceration.

CORS services are to be delivered by peer support workers (PSWs) or persons with lived experiences (PLEs), and should be designed to reflect the needs of the community served. The subrecipient is to ensure the quality of services and the safety of the team and the individuals they serve. CORS teams do not provide OUD or SUD treatment. The following sections detail the deliverables required and associated performance measures, standards, and potential metrics to be collected.

Task 1. Fulfillment of Award Administration Requirements

The subrecipient must fulfill obligations outlined in Section G., Award Administration Information, including planning, reporting, data collection, and participating in technical assistance (TA). Participation in a learning collaborative on the integration of SUD and housing systems will be required.

Task 2. Community Collaboration

Subrecipients must:

Partner with Continuums of Care (CoCs) to assist people with OUD/SUDs who are experiencing chronic homelessness, including ensuring that individuals served have access to the coordinated entry system for homeless services.
Partner with other community providers to increase services for the priority population, including established Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) Councils, recovery community organizations (RCOs), and Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) programs, if available.
Collaborate with harm reduction providers to reduce risk of overdose and negative outcomes among people who use drugs.
Develop a coordination plan to ensure that CORS staff understand how to refer individuals to services provided by community partners.

Task 3. Outreach to Priority Population

PSWs or PLEs must conduct outreach to identify members of the priority population, including at locations such as encampments, public libraries, shelters, food pantries, day labor sites, and other places where people experiencing homelessness or housing instability may be found. This outreach may be coordinated with other organizations serving the priority population.

Task 4. Peer and Recovery Coaching

PSWs or PLEs must reach and engage people with OUD and other SUDs in peer and recovery-focused activities in the community where they live. Although the focus should be on the priority population, any individual with OUD or other SUDs identified during outreach should be offered peer supports. Subrecipients must have capacity to provide recovery support services via phone or video.

Task 5. Connections to Care

PSWs or PLEs must connect people with OUD/SUDs to services that reduce the risk of an overdose and increase recovery capital, such as organizations that offer harm reduction, housing, treatment, and recovery support services.

Optional Task 5-O. Recovery Supports

If services needed by the target population are inaccessible, subrecipients may optionally expend 20 percent of the award to supply such services to the extent that such an expenditure would not supplant existing federal or state funding, comply with applicable service regulations, and would address OUD/SUDs. Examples of such services include, but are not limited to, assistance with obtaining transportation to treatment, parenting or caregiving support while participating in treatment, employment assistance, or emergency assistance to prevent homelessness. The applicant must demonstrate that these services are not accessible to the community by other providers and should be seeking to expand upon existing infrastructure rather that implement new services.

Task 6. Professional Development

Subrecipients must establish a pathway for peer workforce expansion, including the following:

Provide PSWs/PLEs with onboarding training including, at a minimum, training on Mental Health First Aid and Motivational Interviewing.
Support PSWs/PLEs who pursue the state certification process for the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credentials, including paying for certification costs.
Provide access, in person or through technology, to professional staff (e.g., licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, or physicians) for case consultation, crisis intervention, specialized resources, and support.

A.6. Deliverables, Performance Measures, and Performance Standards

The following table details (a) the deliverables required according to the scope of services and (b) associated performance measures, standards, and potential metrics (subject to change) to be collected by task.

Performance Measures	Performance Standards	Metrics
Task 1. Fulfillment of Award Administration Requirements
(a) Complete organizational needs assessment survey	100%	> Needs assessment survey completed (30 days)
(b) Complete implementation and sustainability plan	100%	> Implementation and sustainability plan created (60 days) > # milestones achieved (reported monthly) > Sustainability plan updated (Submitted with final monthly reports)
(c) Implement equity and racial justice plan	100%	> Plan drafted (120) days > # milestones achieved (reported monthly) > Plan finalized (160) days
(d) Report performance information	100%	> Activities and services metrics reported (10th of each month, 10th following each quarter unless otherwise prescribed)
(e) Report fiscal information	100%	> Fiscal performance reported (10th of each month)
(f) Participate in TA	85%	> # monthly calls attended > # training and technical assistance (TTA) sessions (monthly) > #learning collaborative sessions attended (monthly)
Task 2. Community Collaboration
(a) Develop a coordination plan that reflects community and population needs	100%	> Coordination plan developed (60 days)
(b) Develop or maintain memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with partners	A minimum of 3	> # MOUs or agreements created (90 days)
(c) Actively participate in regional coalitions coordinated by the RCCA	75%	> # coalition meetings attended (quarterly)
Task 3. Outreach to Priority Population
(a) Initiate and participate in outreach activities in the community	Provide 80% of outreach encounters specified in work plan	> # outreach contacts (demographics)
Task 4. Peer and Recovery Coaching
(a) Establish outreach teams	Fully staffed within 60 days of award	> # FTE hired
(b) Deliver peer support services	Provide 80% of peer support encounters specified in work plan	> # peer support contacts logged
Task 5. Connections to Care
(a) Link individuals to medication-assisted recovery, OUD treatment, housing services, and recovery support services via warm handoff	Provide 80% of connections to care (by type) specified in work plan	> # individuals referred to housing services > # individuals referred to OUD treatment > # individuals referred to other healthcare services > # individuals referred to recovery support services, by category
(b) Optional - recovery support services, such as: Transportation to/from treatment Childcare while in treatment Eviction prevention	Provide 80% of recovery support service encounters (by type) specified in work plan	> # receiving recovery support services, by category
Task 6. Professional Development
(a) Develop professional development plan for team members that includes relevant onboarding, training, and other professional development opportunities	100%	> Plan developed (90 days) > # training activities completed > # professional milestones completed

B. Funding Information

This is a new competitive subaward opportunity. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the RCCA to make an award.
The total amount of funds available is $15,000,000 to be awarded over 3 years.
The RCCA anticipates making up to 14 awards in the amount of $325,000–$350,000 each. The maximum award applied for should be $350,000 for the initial period of performance.
The initial period of performance is expected to be 14 months. The first estimated subaward agreement period is May 1–June 30, 2024. The second period will be July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025. Budget periods should align with these time frames.
Subrecipients may be eligible to receive up to one subsequent one-year grant renewal for this program. Renewals are at the discretion of the RCCA, based on performance and sufficient appropriations.
The source of funding for this program is the Illinois Opioid Remediation State Trust Fund.
Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new state awards.
Award amounts will be based on RCCA-approved budgets. Budgets must be sufficiently detailed and justified to be approved by the RCCA. Successful applicants will not receive a Notice of Award (NOA) until after their budget has been approved.

C. Eligibility

C.1. Eligible Applicants

This competitive funding opportunity is limited to applicants that meet the following requirements and are subject to limitations described below:

Applicants must be a non-profit, for-profit, or tax-exempt entity located in Illinois.
Applicants must be able to fulfill the scope of services detailed in this funding notice.
Applicants must have the capacity to comply with the legal, fiscal, reporting, and programmatic requirements as described in this funding notice.
Applicants proposing the use of program funds to provide services that require state or federal licensure must be actively licensed.
All entities must be qualified to do business with the State of Illinois.
Applicants must complete the pre-qualification process described in this section.
Applicants must complete pre-award requirements described in this section.

Each application will be reviewed for completion and eligibility, and budgets will be reviewed to ensure costs are allowable, reasonable, and linked to the described objectives. Only applicants that meet these criteria will be considered for funding. All applicants that have submitted applications determined to be noncompliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be notified in writing, by email, upon determination. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.

C.2. Pre-Qualification

Per Federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and GATA, all applicants must be qualified to receive an award. An eligible organization must

Have an active System for Award Management (SAM.gov) public account,
Have an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number,
Not be on the SAM.gov Exclusion List,
Be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State (if the Illinois Secretary of State requires the entity’s organization type to be registered),
Not be on the Illinois Medicaid Sanctions List,
Not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List, and

To obtain the information required to achieve qualified status, complete the steps detailed in the following table.

Step	Requirement	Link
1. Register with the State of Illinois	Be actively registered with the Illinois Secretary of State.	Illinois Secretary of State website
2. Obtain a FEIN/EIN number	Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN/EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).	IRS FEIN/EIN application website
3. Register for a SAM.gov account and obtain a UEI.	Register for and maintain an active System for Award Management (SAM.gov) account and obtain a 12-digit Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).	https://sam.gov/content/home

C.3. Pre-Award Requirements

Per 2 CFR 200.332(b), the RCCA must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring. These possible conditions are included in the Notice of Award and are described in Section G.1.

The pre-award process includes establishing a risk profile through risk assessment of the organization’s financial stability, management systems and standards, history of performance, audit reports and findings, and ability to implement requirements of the award. This risk assessment is carried out with the aid of the following information:

Administrative, fiscal, and internal controls information entered in Sections 1-4 of the online application
Organizational and programmatic information detailed in Attachments B and C

The RCCA may also request additional information during the pre-award process.

Note: Risk assessments do not preclude entities from becoming grantees. Risk assessments are used to identify subrecipient TA needs.

C.4. State and Federal Laws or Regulations

Every agency that is awarded funds through this NOFO must also agree to comply with all applicable provisions of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment, and equal employment opportunity, including but not limited to

The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq.),
The Public Works Employment Discrimination Act (775 ILCS 10/1 et seq.),
The U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended) (42 USC 2000a-and 2000H-6),
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794),
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12101 et seq.), and
The Age Discrimination Act (42 USC 6101 et seq.).

Additionally, the agency must comply with the following:

45 CFR Parts 93 and 94
The Adult Protective Services Act

C.5. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not required.

C.6. Indirect Cost Rate

To charge indirect costs to this grant, the applicant organization must have a federal annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) or must elect to use the de minimis rate.

Indirect Cost Rate Election

Federally Negotiated Rate: Organizations that receive direct federal funding may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with a federal cognizant agency. The organization must provide a copy of the federal NICRA.
De Minimis Rate: An organization may elect a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct cost (MTDC).** Once established, the de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. If programs elect to use the de minimis rate, it is critical that program budgets accurately calculate the MTDC base. Please see the regulation below and note the exclusions to MTDC.
“No Rate”: Subrecipients have discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs. Subrecipients that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs. The organization must record an election of “No Indirect Costs” in the budget workbook.
Organizations must notify the RCCA of any changes to their previously established NICRA no later than 6 months after the close of the organization’s fiscal year.

**2 CFR § 200.68 [MTDC] states, “MTDC means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and subawards and subcontracts up to the first $25,000 of each subaward or subcontract (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards and subcontracts 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 and subcontract in excess of $25,000. 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.

C.7. Other Eligibility Requirements

An applicant is permitted to submit only one application in response to this funding notice.

C.8. Grant Funds Use Requirements

All awarded applicants will use grant funds according to the guidelines, conditions, and parameters set forth in this funding notice and in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of any applicable federal awards.

Please refer to 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, Part 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles to determine the appropriateness of costs in addition to the information in the following sections.

Allowable Costs

Allowable costs are those that are necessary and reasonable based on the activity contained in the Statement of Work, are justified in the Budget Narrative, and are allowable under Subpart E of 2 CFR 200. It is expected that administrative costs, both direct and indirect, will represent a small portion of the overall program budget. Any budget deemed to include inappropriate or excessive administrative costs will not be approved. Program budgets and narratives must detail how all proposed expenditures are necessary for program implementation.

Unallowable Costs

Refer to 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, Part 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles to determine the appropriateness of costs. In addition, and specific to this grant, the following costs will be unallowable without specific prior written approval:

Entertainment costs, except where specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment have a programmatic purpose and are authorized in the approved budget (2 CFR 200.438)
Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, including any vehicle regardless of cost, buildings, and land (2 CFR 200.439)
Capital expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment that materially increase their value or useful life (2 CFR 200.439)
Food and other goods or services for personal use of the grantee’s employees, contractors, or consultants unless authorized as per diem under the Illinois Governor’s Travel Control Board (2 CFR 200.445)
Deposits for items, services, or space
Dues to societies, organizations, or federations
Meetings or conventions, unless directly related to the program and approved in advance by the RCCA
Alcoholic beverages
Cash payments to intended recipients of services
Purchase or repair of vehicles
Lobbying, political contributions, or compensation of a government body
Fundraising
Bad debt, fines, or penalties
Personal-use items, including expenses related to personal use of vehicles
Unallowable relocation expenses
Related-party transactions
Any other costs not approved in the plan and budget

Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Potential subrecipients under this funding announcement may receive an award more than the simplified acquisition threshold, currently $250,000 (refer to 2 CFR 200 Section 200.88). Therefore, the subrecipient must be aware of the following regarding the simplified acquisition threshold, as it will be applicable to any qualifying subaward:

The grantee agency, prior to making a subaward with a total amount of funds greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently, the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).
An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that the awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.
The awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR 200 §200.205.

Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs are not allowable.

Compliance with Funding Sources

The agency awarded funds shall act in accordance with all conditions related to relevant funding sources outlined in the following:

Opioid Settlement Agreement
Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
Applicable regulatory requirements such as the Illinois Substance Use Disorder Act
Any other relevant state statutes

Third-Party Contractual Requirements

Any third-party contracts paid for using grant funds are subject to GATA requirements and the terms and conditions of the award. The subrecipient is required to include language supplied by the RCCA in contractual documents. Subcontractor agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the RCCA. The subrecipient shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the subcontractor.

Sectarian Issue

Applicant may not expend federal or state funds for sectarian instruction, worship, prayer, or to proselytize. If the applicant is a faith-based or a religious organization that offers such activities, these activities shall be voluntary for the individuals receiving services and offered separately from the program.

D. Post-Award Requirements

Successful applicants agree to provide program services as described throughout this funding notice.

Start Date

Applicants must be prepared to begin offering services starting May1, 2024.

Site Visits

The applicant agrees to participate in site visits/quality reviews as requested by the RCCA.

Technology

Agencies awarded funds through this funding notice should have a computer that meets the following minimum specifications for the purpose of using any required web-based reporting system and the receipt/submission of the electronic program and fiscal information:

Internet access, preferably high-speed
Email capability
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Microsoft PowerPoint
WebEx
Adobe Acrobat Reader

The purchase of this technology would be an allowable expenditure under the grant and may be included in the budget as part of this application.

Hiring and Employment Policy

The RCCA encourages cultural diversity in the work environment and to promote employment opportunities through its programs. The program workforce should appropriately reflect the populations to be served, with special attention given to hiring individuals indigenous to those communities. Whenever a position becomes available, funded programs are encouraged to consider Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) clients for employment, contingent upon their qualifications (i.e., education and work experience).

COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

Applicant shall have written COVID-19 policies and procedures that align with current guidelines from their local health department, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Publication of Studies, Reports, and Other Program Products

The applicant agrees that products produced for the RCCA under this award, including but not limited to research reports, data, analyses, and policy recommendations are the property of the RCCA and will not be published or distributed except as prescribed by the RCCA.

E. Application and Submission Information

The following steps are recommended to successfully submit this application.

Step 1. Review the NOFO with your stakeholders.

Does our organization meet all the applicant eligibility criteria? Consider the following:

Does our organization meet all the applicant eligibility criteria?
Is our organization able to effectively use these funds?

Step 2. Prepare to apply.

Identify who is going to work on the different parts of the application. Take note of Sections 2 and Section 3, which may require additional time. Section 2 reports your organization’s pre-qualification status. Section 3 aligns closely with the State of Illinois ICQ. If you are an existing grantee in the State of Illinois and are pre-qualified for the current fiscal year, you can reference your current ICQ to obtain the answers to that section. If not, a fiscal staff member at the organization will likely need to provide guidance on that section.
Develop a timeline for how to respond to the NOFO and submit on time.
Create a document to develop your answers to the questions in NOFO Appendix A.

Step 3. Initiate or verify pre-qualification status.

Complete pre-qualification steps outlined in Section C.2. New applicants should initiate the process as soon as possible.

Step 4. Access the online application.

Set up your SurveyMonkey Apply account.

Step 5. Access Technical Assistance Resources.

Register for the Technical Assistance Session.
Ask questions and review answers submitted by others.

Step 6. Complete attachments and forms.

Download and complete the CORS budget workbook.
Download and complete the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Conflict of Interest form.
Complete all other attachments.

Step 7. Complete the online application.

Complete Sections 1–11 of the online application. It is helpful to have all answers prepared to copy and paste into the application. However, the application does not need to be completed all at once. You can enter information, save, and return later.
Please note, you are not able to format answers to the questions within the application, so simple headings are helpful to organize your responses.

Step 8. Upload attachments.

All programs must submit Attachments A, B, C, F, G, and H. Attachments D and E should be submitted if available or applicable.

Step 9. Review and submit the application.

Once submitted, no changes may be made to your application.

E.1. Address to Request Application Package

This document contains comprehensive instructions for application submission. Additional application materials, such as mandatory forms, are available at Illinois Opioid Settlements Initiative. Copies of all materials may be obtained by any of the following means:

Emailing a request to ilrcca@ahpnet.com
Calling Randi Moberly at 312.896.7665, Ext 727
Mailing a request to:
- Advocates for Human Potential, Regional Care Coordination Agency, 1021 West Adams Street, Suite 303, Chicago, IL 60607

E.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Applicants must complete the online application narrative questions and upload attachments as described in this section. Detailed application questions and associated evaluation criteria are available on the CORS Application page.

Project attachments should be PDF documents, except for the project budget, which is an Excel workbook.

Mandatory forms, including the CORS Budget Workbook and Conflict of Interest Disclosure, are linked in Section I., Mandatory Forms.

Online Application Narrative

The NOFO application is contained in an online fillable form, hosted by SurveyMonkey Apply. Applicants must have access to the internet. Use the application link to access the online application as early as possible to make sure you can log in. Instructions to complete the fillable form are included in the online application. You will be able to work on your online application, save your work, and return to it at your convenience. However, once the application is submitted, no further changes can be made.

The online application includes 11 sections. Sections 1-4 contain information about your organization, including fiscal, administrative, and internal controls questions. Sections 1-4 are not scored as part of the merit-based review process but are used to fulfill pre-qualification and risk assessment criteria. Sections 5–11 are scored for a total of 100 possible points.

Please answer questions truthfully and completely and be sure to cite the source of any data included.

This table lists the sections in the SurveyMonkey Apply application.

Section Title	Description	Points
Section 1. Organization Information	Basic administrative and fiscal information about your organization.	0
Section 2. Organization Pre-qualification Information	Organizational information and attestations that verify eligibility to receive an award.	0
Section 3. Organization Internal Controls	Administrative and management controls that inform the risk assessment that must be completed prior to NOA.	0
Section 4. Organization Attestations	Attestations verifying capacity and truthfulness of information in the application.	0
Section 5. Executive Summary	An overview of your organization and the services you plan to deliver if awarded funding.	5
Section 6. Needs Met by Your Organization	An overview of the population served and services delivered by your organization.	10
Section 7. Organizational Capacity	How your organization’s work and approach are aligned with the intent of the opioid settlement funds and your experience in managing previous grants.	15
Section 8. Need for the Proposed Program	Information about the community and population to be served with the activities funded by this notice.	10
Section 9. Quality of the Proposed Program	The implementation approach and anticipated outcomes of the proposed activities to be funded by this notice.	35
Section 10. Capacity to Implement the Proposed Program	A description of the organization’s staff who will complete the proposed activities, their experience, community partnerships, and culturally responsive approach to services.	20
Section 11. Project Budget	Project budget and advance payment request.	5

This table lists the attachments to be uploaded in the SurveyMonkey Apply application.

Attachment Label	Item	Description
A	Approved NICRA (if applicable)	Defines an organization’s federally negotiated indirect cost rate
B	Organizational Chart*	Describes the reporting structure and roles at the organization
C	Organizational Budget*	Describes organizational revenues and expenditures for current fiscal year
D	Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and Certification*	Verifies TIN
E	Single Federal Audit or Financial Statement Audit (if available)	Provides assurance of internal controls to maintain grant compliance
F	Conflict of Interest Disclosure*	Discloses actual or potential conflicts of interest
G	Project Plan*	Describes the applicant’s plan to execute the award over the period of performance
H	CORS Budget Workbook*	Demonstrates spending plan for subaward

E.3. Submission Dates and Times

The online application must be completed in full and submitted by February 16, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. CST. The deadline will be strictly enforced. Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered for review or funding.

It is the applicant’s sole responsibility to ensure that their application has been successfully submitted and received. Upon submission, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application.

E.4. Intergovernmental Review

Not applicable.

E.5. Funding Restrictions

The applicant must develop a budget consistent with program requirements as described in Section A. Description and in accordance with Section C.6. Grant Funds Use Requirements.

E.6. Other Submission Requirements

None.

F. Application Review Information

F.1. Criteria

The scoring will be based on need, capacity, quality of the organization’s work, and other grant-specific criteria. Points available for each section are detailed in the Applications Section table in Section E.2. The points assigned to each question are available in Appendix A.

F.2. Review and Selection

All competitive grant applications are subject to merit-based review in accordance with 44 Ill. Admin Code 7000.350.

F.3. Evaluation Committee

Evaluation of the application will be conducted by a review committee comprising a minimum of three individuals with relevant subject matter expertise and including persons with lived experience. The committee will independently and confidentially review applications and assign a numerical rating to the questions in Sections 2–8. The scoring tool will reflect the evaluation criteria and funding priorities. Note: Evaluation committee members will not have any conflicts of interest or apparent conflicts of interest.

RCCA leadership will compile the review committee scores, facilitate communication with the review committee on any variances, document any revisions, weigh funding priority criteria, and verify that applicants have completed all pre-qualification and pre-award requirements. RCCA will then present recommendations of award finalists to IDHS/SUPR staff.

F.4. Finalist Recommendations

While the recommendation of the review panel will be a key factor in the funding decision, the RCCA maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the findings of the reviewers to be non-binding recommendations. The numerical score may not be the sole award criterion. The RCCA reserves the right to consider other factors, such as geographic distribution, demonstrated need, and agency past performance as a state grantee. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.

In the event of a tie, with insufficient funding for all tied applications, the RCCA may choose one of the following options:

Apply one or more of the additional factors for consideration described above to prioritize the applications.
Partially fund each of the tied applications.
Not fund any of the tied applications.

F.5. Appeal

Competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal and shall be reviewed by the RCCA’s Appeal Review Officer (ARO).

Submission

Appeals submission contact information:

Name of agency contact for appeals: Regional Care Coordination Agency
Email address of agency contact for appeals: ilrccaARO@ahpnet.com
Email Subject Line: NOFO Review Appeal

An appeal must be submitted in writing to the appeals submission contact listed above.

An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published.

The written appeal shall include, at a minimum, the following:

Name and address of the appealing party
Identification of the grant
Statement of reasons for the appeal
Supporting documentation, if applicable

Response

The RCCA will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within 14 calendar days from the date the appeal was received.

The RCCA will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party of why additional time is needed.
The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by the ARO within the time the ARO sets in their request.

Resolution

The ARO shall make a recommendation to the RCCA Project Director or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information.

In determining the appropriate recommendation, the ARO shall consider the integrity of the competitive grant process and the impact of the recommendation on the RCCA.
The RCCA will resolve the appeal by means of written determination.
The determination shall include but not be limited to
- Review of the appeal,
- Appeal determination, and
- Rationale for the determination.

F.6. Anticipated Announcement and Award

The announcement of this award is anticipated by March 2024.

G. Award Administration Information

G.1. Award Notices

Applicants recommended for funding following the review process and budget approval will receive a NOA via email to the contacts identified in the application. The NOA shall include

The grant award amount,
The terms and conditions of the award, and
Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on risk assessments and merit-based review.

NOTE: The initial budget submitted at the time of application might not be approved due to unallowable costs, errors in budget, or a difference between requested award amount and approved final award amount. The RCCA will inform the organization point of contact if the proposed budget is rejected. The RCCA cannot issue a NOA until the successful applicant has an approved budget.

Upon receipt of the NOA, selected applicants should review and make an informed decision about whether to accept the funds. The NOA must be signed by the applicant’s grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the award amount and all conditions set forth within the notice. This signed NOA is the document authorizing the RCCA to proceed with issuing an agreement. The signed NOA must be remitted to the RCCA, as instructed in the NOA. The NOA is not an authorization to begin performance.

Applicants not receiving the award will be notified.

Award Conditions

Per 2 CFR 200.332(b), the RCCA must evaluate each applicant’s risk of noncompliance and must impose additional specific award conditions as needed, based on an analysis of the following factors:

Based on the criteria set forth in §200.206, Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants
When an applicant or recipient has a history of failure to comply with the general or specific terms and conditions of a federal award
When an applicant or recipient fails to meet expected performance goals as described in §200.211, Information contained in a federal award
When an applicant or recipient is not otherwise responsible

Per 2 CFR §200.208, these conditions may include items such as the following:

Requiring additional project monitoring
Requiring technical or management assistance
Establishing additional prior approvals
Requiring additional, more detailed financial reports
Requiring payments as reimbursements rather than advance payments
Withholding authority to proceed to the next phase until receipt of evidence of acceptable performance within a given period of performance

More restrictive conditions may be imposed based upon the criteria set forth in Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77 § 2030.40.

The RCCA will remove conditions upon subrecipient request once it has determined that issues have been corrected.

Subaward Agreement

Upon receipt of acceptance of award, the RCCA will initiate the development of the subaward agreement and statement of work (SOW) that includes the following:

The activities to be performed
The time schedule
Applicable policies and requirements (flowthrough requirements)
Other policies and procedures to be followed
The dollar limitation of the agreement
Allowable costs

The primary point of contact for the organization will receive an email notification that the agreement is ready for review and signature. The signature should be returned to the RCCA as prescribed.

G.2. Payment Terms

Payments will be in accordance with Administrative Directive 01.07.01.070 Grant Payments, 2 CFR 200.302, 2 CFR 200.305, 31 CFR 205 (procedures implementing Cash Management Improvement Act and the Treasury-State Agreement (TSA)), and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120 (Governor’s Office of Management and Budget Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods). Three different award payment methods exist, namely Advance Payment, Reimbursement, and Working Capital Advance.

Advance Payment Method (Advance and Reconcile)

Upon program approval for advance payment, an initial payment will be processed in an amount equal to the first two months’ cash requirements as reflected in the submitted Advance Payment Requirements Forecast (Cash Budget) Form.
Subrecipients must submit monthly invoices in the format and method prescribed in the grantee’s executed Subaward Agreement. The first invoice is due after the first month of grant operations. Invoices must include only allowable incurred costs that have been paid by the grantee.
Subsequent monthly payments will be based on each monthly invoice submitted to the grant program and will be adjusted up or down based on a comparison of actual cumulative expenditures to cumulative advance payments to date.
Subrecipients that do not spend all advance payment amounts by the end of the grant term or that cannot demonstrate that all incurred costs were necessary, reasonable, allowable, or allocable as approved in their respective grant budget must return the funds within 45 days or be subject to grant funds recovery.
Subrecipients may be required to submit supporting documentation for their requests at the request of and in a manner prescribed by the RCCA.
Failure to abide by advance payment governance requirements may result in the subrecipient losing their right to advance payments.

Reimbursement Method

Subrecipients will be paid via the reimbursement method when they do not meet the requirements of 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120(b)(2), or upon a subrecipient’s request to use the reimbursement method of payment, or as stipulated in a specific condition. Subrecipients that have specific conditions noted in their NOA or Subaward Agreement for any of the following items must be paid using the reimbursement method:

Fiscal and administrative high risk (weak internal controls)
A history of failure to comply with general or specific terms and conditions of grant awards
Failure to meet expected performance goals as described in 2 CFR 200.211 or their program deliverables as stated in their applicable Subaward Agreement
Otherwise not responsible

The RCCA will disburse payments to the subrecipient based on actual allowable costs incurred as reported in the monthly financial invoice submitted for the respective month, as described below.

Subrecipients must submit monthly invoices in a format prescribed by the RCCA in the method prescribed in the Subaward Agreement. Invoices must include all allowable incurred costs for the first and each subsequent month of operations until the end of the grant term. Invoices will be submitted to the RCCA on or before the 10th day following the end of any respective monthly invoice period. Programs must process all payments to ensure that payments can be made (subject to appropriation, cash availability, and processing by the Office of the Comptroller) within 30 calendar days after receipt of the invoice, unless the RCCA reasonably believes the request to be improper.

Working Capital Advance Method

For subrecipients that cannot meet the requirements set forth in 2 CFR 200.302 (Financial Management), 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120(b)(1)(A)(i and ii) (Advance Payments) and other requirements as described in this Directive, if the RCCA determines that reimbursement is not feasible because the subrecipient lacks sufficient working capital, the RCCA may, in its sole discretion, provide a working capital advance to the subrecipient.
Subrecipients may request separate working capital advance payments for each grant program awarded by the RCCA. Requests must be submitted to the RCCA on the IDHS Advance Payment Request Cash Budget tab within the CORS Budget Workbook (Cash Budget). The Cash Budget must include monthly cash requirements for every month of the grant term. A separate request must be submitted for each grant program application. Requests must be signed by either the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) or the Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent) for the subrecipient entity. The executive’s signature certifies the cash requirements are actual expected costs. The RCCA will advance working capital payments to these subrecipients to cover their estimated disbursement needs for an initial period not to exceed 2 months of grant expenses. Startup costs may be approved if determined by the RCCA to be allowable.
Subrecipients must submit monthly invoices for each of the one or two months covered by the Working Capital Advance in the format and method prescribed in the subrecipient’s executed Subaward Agreement exhibits. The first invoice is due after the first month of grant operations. Invoices must include only allowable incurred costs that have been paid by the subrecipient.
Subrecipients may be required to submit supporting documentation for their requests at the request of and in a manner prescribed by the RCCA.
Working Capital Advance Payments are limited to a single occurrence per grant term.
Following the initial period, the RCCA must reimburse the grantee for its actual cash disbursements as described in section II of this Administrative Directive.

G.3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The agency awarded funds shall provide services as set forth in the Subaward Agreement and shall act in accordance with all state and federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services. The Subaward Agreement will be modeled on the IDHS FY24 Grant Agreement and CSA Attachment C. Additional terms and conditions not specified in this section may apply.

G.4. Data and Reporting

Subrecipients shall comply with any and all federal or state data reporting requirements. Additionally, upon execution of the Subaward Agreement, subrecipients will submit the following reports as prescribed by the RCCA:

Monthly Reports

Financial Reports: Subrecipient shall submit monthly financial reports no later than 10 days after the month ends.
Performance Reports: Subrecipient shall submit monthly performance reports no later than 10 days after the month ends.

Quarterly Reports

Performance Reports: Subrecipient shall submit quarterly performance reports no later than 10 days after the quarter ends. Quarters end September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30.

Close-Out Reports

Financial Reports: Subrecipient shall submit a close-out financial report no later than 10 days after the end of the period of performance or termination.
Performance Reports: Subrecipient shall submit a close-out performance report no later than 10 days after the end of the period of performance or termination.

Other Reporting Requirements

Additional periodic and annual performance and evaluation data may be collected as directed by the RCCA and in a format prescribed by the RCCA.

G.5. Monitoring

Subrecipients funded through this NOFO are subject to fiscal and programmatic monitoring in accordance with 2 CFR 200.332. Subrecipients must provide the RCCA access to subaward records pursuant to 2 CFR 200.337. For projects that are having delays or difficulties, monitoring will be more frequent or detailed to ensure technical assistance is provided and any issues are resolved. The RCCA may modify subawards based on performance.

G.6. TTA Participation

Participants will participate in TTA and support as identified by the RCCA, with a goal of supporting successful program implementation and promoting sustainability after the conclusion of the funding period. The TTA opportunities will be specified by the RCCA throughout the grant period and, at a minimum, will include the following:

Needs Assessment

Upon grant award, subrecipients will complete an organizational needs assessment related to funding requirements to help identify gaps and areas for growth. The RCCA will distribute the survey within 4 weeks of the beginning of the period of performance.

Implementation Plan

Subrecipients must develop an implementation plan as prescribed by the RCCA to identify specific objectives, action steps, timelines, assigned personnel, planned outcomes, and internal performance measures. The RCCA will initiate TTA to grantees for the development of their implementation plan within 4 weeks of the beginning of the period of performance. The implementation plan must be maintained throughout the period of performance.

Equity and Racial Justice Plan

Subrecipients must develop and implement or maintain a diversity, equity, and inclusion/racial justice plan that

Reflects IDHS’s commitment to advance equity and racial justice;
Outlines how the organization ensures equity in access to its supports/services as well as outcomes;
Includes a plan to identify and address implicit bias in all areas of the organization, including programming; and
Includes an equity and racial justice training plan.

Webinars and Coaching Calls

Subrecipient organizations will participate in individual and/or regional coaching calls no less than twice per quarter and attend a minimum of eight webinars annually.

TTA topics will include (at a minimum) the following:

Subcontracting
Invoicing
Reporting, data collection, and performance measures
Implementation plans
Equity and racial justice plans
Topical areas of relevance to subrecipients
Special TA as requested by individual subrecipients and/or as authorized by the RCCA

Other TTA Activities

Other TTA opportunities, such as learning collaboratives, may be required as specified in the Subaward Agreement.

G.7. Awarding Agency Contacts

For information about this NOFO, contact the RCCA Support Team at ilrcca@ahpnet.com.

H. Other Information

H.1. Obligation of Award

The release of this NOFO does not obligate the RCCA to make an award.

The RCCA reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc. These negotiations do not obligate provision of funding, nor should an applicant draw any conclusions from these negotiations about the RCCA’s intentions to fund or not fund the application.

H.2. Definitions

Chronic homelessness: Chronic homelessness describes “people who have experienced homelessness for at least a year—or repeatedly— . . . with a disabling condition such as a serious mental illness, [SUD], or physical disability.”⁹
Community: A community is a group of people who live in the same area (such as a city, town, neighborhood, tent city, or shelter).¹⁰ Services in the community are offered outside of a state-licensed or -certified facility.
Continuum of Care (CoC): A CoC is “a regional or local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals. . . . CoCs are tasked to track and manage the homeless community in their area. One of the most important activities entrusted to CoCs is the biannual count of the homeless population and an annual enumeration of emergency systems, transitional housing units, and beds that make up the homeless assistance systems.”¹¹
Crisis intervention: Crisis intervention consists of brief contacts to determine appropriate interventions and services.
Harm reduction: “Harm reduction is an approach for substance use treatment that involves a set of practical techniques that are openly negotiated with clients around what is most likely to be achieved. The focus is reducing the negative consequences and risky behaviors of substance use; it neither condones nor condemns any behavior. By incorporating strategies on a continuum from safer drug use, to managed substance use, up to abstinence, harm reduction practice helps clients [effect] positive changes in their lives.¹² The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines harm reduction as “a practical and transformative approach that incorporates community-driven public health strategies—including prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion—to empower people who use drugs (and their families) with the choice to live healthy, self-directed, and purpose-filled lives. Harm reduction centers the lived and living experience of people who use drugs, especially those in underserved communities, in these strategies and the practices that flow from them.”¹³
Housing instability: Housing instability can have multiple dimensions, including “housing cost burden; residential instability; evictions and other forced moves; living with family or friends to share housing costs (doubling up); overcrowding; living in substandard, poor quality housing; or living in neighborhoods that are unsafe and lack access to transportation, jobs, quality schools, and other critical amenities.”¹⁴ A study identifying housing instability as a risk factor for opioid overdose defined housing instability to include living in a place not meant for human habitation in the past 6 months, being in a correctional facility or shelter in the past 6 months, living in in three or more locations in the past 6 months, having a household monthly income less than $1,000, having ever been in jail eight or more times, or relying for support on friends and family, illicit activities, recycling, or panhandling.¹⁵
Intervention: “’Intervention’ means activities or services that assist persons and their significant others in coping with the immediate problems of [substance use or SUD] and in reducing their substance use. Such services facilitate emotional and social stability and involve referring persons for treatment, as needed.”¹⁶
Opioid use disorder (OUD): OUD, a type of SUD, is “a problematic pattern of opioid use that causes significant impairment or distress. OUD is a treatable, chronic disease that can affect anyone—regardless of race, gender, income level, or social class. A diagnosis of OUD is based on specific criteria such as unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use or failure to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home, among other criteria. It can even lead to overdose and death.¹⁷
Outreach: “Outreach is the encouragement, engagement or re-engagement of at-risk individual(s) into treatment through community institutions such as churches, schools and medical facilities (as defined by the community) or through consultation with Illinois Department of Human Services division.”¹⁸
Peer support workers (PSWs): PSWs are “people who have been successful in the recovery process who help others experiencing similar situations. . . . [PSWs] engage in a wide range of activities. These include advocating for people in recovery, sharing resources and building skills, building community and relationships, leading recovery groups, and mentoring and setting goals.”¹⁹ For more information, see Core Competencies for Peer Workers | SAMHSA.
Professional staff: Any person who provides clinical services or delivers intervention services as defined in 77 Ill. Admin. Code 2060. 309 and professionals licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professionals Regulations to provide health care and behavioral health care.
Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC): “A ROSC is a coordinated network of community-based services and supports that is person-centered and builds on the strengths and resiliencies of individuals, families, and communities to achieve abstinence and improved health, wellness, and quality of life for those with or at risk of alcohol and drug problems.”²⁰
Recovery support services: SAMHSA’s Working Definition of Recovery is “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.”²¹ Recovery support services are “designed to support individual recovery from [an SUD] that may be delivered pre, during, or post treatment. These services are generally delivered by a peer with the patient in a wide variety of settings to support the individual in meeting [their] recovery support goals, and include employment training, continuing care, employment coaching, peer recovery coaching, recovery coaching, recovery skills, spiritual support, and transportation.”²²
Substance use disorder (SUD): SUD is “a treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can be moderate to severe.”²³
Treatment: Treatment services are “provided according to Administrative Rule: Title 77: Public Health Chapter X: Department of Human Services Subchapter D: Licensure Part 2060 Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Treatment and Intervention Licenses Section 401 Levels of Care.” Treatment is “offered in varying degrees of intensity based on the level of care the patient is assessed in need/placed and the subsequent treatment plan developed for that patient. The level of care provided shall be in accordance with that specified in the [most current American Society of Addiction Medicine] Patient Placement Criteria” and Administrative Rule 2060.²⁴

H.3. Applicant TA

The following resources provide information on TA, guidance on the process of completing the application process, and developing the services funded by this funding notice.

Pre-Qualification and Pre-Award Resources

IDHS Pre-Qualification Instructions and Resources provide helpful information about the completion of pre-qualification and pre-award activities.

TA Session

Attend or listen to the TA session (recommended, but not required).
- Register here: CORS NOFO Technical Assistance Session
- View the recording on CORS: FAQs page.

Submit Questions and Review Answers

Submit questions by email to ilrcca@ahpnet.com with the subject line “Community Outreach and Recovery Support (CORS)” no later than February 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. CST.

Questions and answers will be posted on the Illinois Opioid Settlements Initiative website. Questions will be updated weekly by Friday at 3:00 p.m. CST. It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor that website and comply with any instructions or requirements relating to the NOFO.

H.4. Relevant Websites

I. Mandatory Forms

I.1. Budget Workbook

Subrecipients must use the Budget Workbook Template to submit their project budget and advance payment request. Both the template and the required tables in the budget are available on the Budget: CORS page.

The budget and narrative must tie fiscal activity to program objectives and deliverables and must demonstrate that all proposed costs are reasonable and necessary, allocable, and allowable as defined by program regulatory requirements and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), as applicable.

Verification of final approved budgets will be required by either the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) or Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent) for the entity. The executive must certify that their entity complies with the requirements set forth in 2 CFR 200.302 (Financial Management) and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120(b)(i)(A) (Advance Payments).

I.2. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures

Subrecipients must immediately disclose in writing to the RCCA any actual or potential conflict of interest as soon as it becomes known, in accordance with 30 ILCS 708/35, 30 ILCS 708/60(a)(5), 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.330(f) and the Subaward Agreement. This disclosure must be submitted for the Subrecipient and all subrecipients or pass-through entities, whenever an actual or potential conflict may exist. Subrecipients have a continuing obligation to disclose to the RCCA financial or other interests (public, private, direct, or indirect) that may be a potential conflict of interest or could prohibit the Subrecipient from entering or continuing the programs for which the grant is intended. The IDHS Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure must be completed, signed, and returned by all subrecipient organizations.

Technical Assistance

CORS NOFO Table of Contents

About the NOFO