Funding Opportunities – November 14, 2023

In this update: 

  • NYS and NYC Opportunities
    • DOH Releases RFA for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program Center of Excellence
    • OMH Releases RFP for the Development and Operation of 500 CR-SRO Housing Units

NYS and NYC Opportunities

DOH Releases RFA for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program Center of Excellence
On November 7th, the New York State (NYS) Department of Health (DOH) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for funding that will support a Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program Center of Excellence (COE). The COE will support the implementation of local CYSHCN programs, which are administered by local health departments, by providing training, technical assistance, and family engagement. DOH will provide $5 million in total funding over the five-year contract period ($1 million in annual funding). Contracts are expected to begin on October 1, 2024.

Eligible applicants are not-for-profit academic, research, educational/training, or public/social policy organizations with at least three years of experience providing training and technical assistance. Applicants that demonstrate a minimum of three years of experience working with children and families or providing technical assistance and training to organizations that serve children and families will receive up to two additional points in scoring. Applicants must be able to provide, either as an organization or through subcontracts, in-person meetings and site visits statewide. Required program staff include a project director and at least three parents/caregivers of a child with a special health care need or young adults/peers with special health care needs.

The RFA is available here. Applications are due on January 5, 2024. Questions may be submitted to Carolyn Perry at CYSHCN@health.ny.gov with a reference to the RFA section and paragraph to which the question refers through November 27th.  

OMH Releases RFP for the Development and Operation of 500 CR-SRO Housing Units
On November 8th, the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development and operation of up to 500 Community Residence Single Room Occupancy (CR-SRO) units statewide for individuals recovering from a serious mental illness (SMI). Both capital funding for development and operating funding will be available to selected applicants. OMH will consider both single-use (SMI only) and mixed-use projects; however, funding must be secured elsewhere for non-SMI affordable/supportive units.

Awards will be allocated as follows: 

  • Western and Central New York: 50-80 units each
  • Hudson River and Long Island: 50-100 units each
  • New York City: 225-300 units

Eligible applicants are not-for-profit 501(c)(3) agencies with experience operating housing and providing social services to individuals with SMI. Agencies may submit multiple applications; however, a separate application is required for each project being proposed. Contracts will last for five years, beginning on May 1, 2024.

CR-SRO programs are funded through a combination of client Social Security Income (SSI) and OMH net deficit funding. In 2023, the annual SSI revenue is anticipated to be $7,002 per bed downstate and $6,678 per bed upstate. OMH net deficit funding is outlined by region in the RFP. For NYC, the annual net deficit funding is $25,436. OMH capital funding is available for property acquisition, construction, and/or rehabilitation. Agencies are also encouraged to apply to the NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to help finance the development of the housing project.

The RFP is available here. Applications are due on January 3, 2024. There will be an optional pre-proposal conference on November 20th at 1pm, which may be accessed here. Questions may be submitted to Jeremy Rossello at OMHLocalProcurement@omh.ny.gov with “CR-SRO for Adults with a Serious Mental Illness” in the subject line through November 21st.