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Harm Reduction Grant Fund- RFA #29157030

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Funding Opportunity Application Deadline: November 11, 2024, by 5 p.m. MST.
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Overview

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's (CDPHE) Overdose Prevention Unit is pleased to announce the availability of funds for a new five-year cycle of the Harm Reduction Grant Fund.

Learn more about this funding opportunity

The Harm Reduction Grant Fund (HRGF) was established during the 2019 legislative session through the passage of Senate Bill 19-008: Substance Use Disorder in the Criminal Justice System. The goal and purpose of the Harm Reduction Grant Program is to fund and support local communities to rethink and expand opportunities to address overdose and other drug use-associated harms through evidence-informed harm reduction approaches, rather than through the criminal legal system. 

Harm Reduction is a social justice movement created by and for individuals directly impacted by stigmatized and marginalizing experiences, including drug use. This movement informs practical strategies aimed at reducing the negative outcomes associated with drug use while empowering individuals as agents of positive change in their lives and communities. A comprehensive approach that acknowledges that many kinds of harm share the same systemic causes is necessary to provide individuals with the necessary resources to manage their own health and well-being, regardless of their substance use. 

Overall goals of this funding opportunity
  • Reduce the incidence of fatal and nonfatal drug overdose.
  • Reduce the incidence of harms associated with drug use such as HIV, hepatitis C, bacterial infections, and skin and soft tissue infections.
  • Work with people who use drugs to design and deliver low-barrier services and other initiatives that promote individual and community health and safety 
  • Ensure multi-year funding for organizations vital to the overdose prevention and substance use continuum of care.
  • Strengthen linkage to affirming and low-barrier health care, treatment, and intersecting support services for people affected by overdose and drug use.
  • Reduce health disparities associated with drug use for individuals most likely to experience intersecting marginalization, including people of color, people experiencing housing insecurity, people engaged in sex work, people with a history of incarceration, people with co-occurring conditions or disabilities, and people in the LGBTQ+ community.

This funding intends to focus efforts on improving outcomes for individuals most at risk for overdose and drug-use-associated harms including individuals currently using drugs and those who are disproportionately affected by social and systemic factors such as racism, discrimination, economic insecurity, housing insecurity, incarceration, and co-occurring conditions. To that end, scoring will include a prioritization scale for the primary impacted population(s) of the work proposed in the application.
 

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Allowable activities, requirements, and how to apply

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For information on allowable activities, requirements, and how to apply:
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Eligibility

Eligible organizations must be based in Colorado

Only the following entities will be considered for this RFA funding:

  • Local public health agencies (LPHAs)
  • Community-based non-profit organizations
  • Tribal governments or non-profits
  • Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)
  • Rural Health Clinics
  • Behavioral health entities
  • Law enforcement agencies
  • An eligible entity may also submit a proposal on behalf of a group of eligible entities and designate grant funds accordingly to foster community collaboration and collective impact.

Applicants must be willing to provide non-coercive services to individuals across the continuum of substance use, including individuals who actively use drugs and those who self-identify as being in recovery.

Optional Intent to Apply (Google Form)
Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to complete the intent to apply form. This form allows CDPHE program staff to estimate the number of applications and plan for an adequately staffed review committee. The form will accept entries until Monday, October 28th. Applicants who choose to not complete the form will still be eligible to apply for this funding.
 


 

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Anticipated award

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Project lengthFive (5) years
Maximum Individual award amount$300,000 per year, for 5 year term
Anticipated number of awardsSix (6)
Anticipated contract periodJuly 1, 2025-June 30, 2030
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Application deadline

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Applications are due November 11, 2024, by 5 p.m. MST.

Apply by email to sam.bourdon@state.co.us

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Required documents

Attachment ACDPHE RFA Cover Sheet and Signature Page (must be signed and dated with a wet ink signature or digitally)
Attachment BApplicant Checklist. (Google Doc)
Attachment CContact Information Form. (Google Doc)
Attachment DApplication Narrative Template. (Google Doc)
Attachment E12 Month Project Budget or, if applying for advance payment, complete Attachment F: Advance Payment 12 Month Project Budget instead of Attachment E. 
Google FormFinancial Risk Assessment Questionnaire 

Letters of Support

Letters of support (required if applicable): A letter of support is required as a part of the application if the following situations apply:

  • If the applicant is subcontracting with a named agency to complete a portion of the work outlined in the application narrative and budget, the applicant must include a letter from the subcontracting agency confirming the partnership.  
  • If the applicant is proposing a new syringe access program, they must include a letter of support or proof of formal approval from the local Board of Health (or county commissioners if no such board exists) if they are not exempt based on the following criteria:
    • A nonprofit organization with experience operating a syringe service program or a health facility licensed or certified by the  state department pursuant to section 25-1.5-103 (1)(a) may operate a syringe service program without prior board approval.
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Questions and answers

The deadline for applicants to submit written inquiries is October 28, 2024, 5 p.m. MST. No questions will be accepted after this date/time.

Applicants may submit written questions by email to sam.bourdon@state.co.us.

Answers to written inquiries and any changes to the RFA will be published on this webpage by 5 p.m., MST on:

  • Friday, September 27, 2024
  • Friday, October 4, 2024
  • Friday, October 11, 2024
  • Friday, October 18, 2024
  • Friday, October 25, 2024
  • Friday, November 1, 2024
  • Friday, November 8, 2024

Application timeline

Application TimelineTime (MST)Date
Application Deadline5 p.m.11/11/2024
Evaluation PeriodN/A11/12/14 - 01/02/2025
Estimated Notification of Award5 p.m.1/3/2025
Estimated Contract Effective Date 7/1/2025