In this update:
- NYS and NYC Opportunities
- OMH and OCFS Issue Round Five of Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program
- OMH Issues RFP for Children’s Community Residences (CCR)
- OASAS Issues RFA for Street Outreach Services
- Private Foundations and Other
- New York Health Foundation Opens RFP Process for the 2025 Special Projects Fund Cycle Two
NYS and NYC Opportunities
OMH and OCFS Issue Round Five of Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program
On February 4th, the New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) issued the fifth application round for the Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program. The 2024-25 Enacted NYS Budget included $4 million in annual funding for the program, which supports OMH and OCFS agencies with the recruitment and retention of licensed mental health practitioners serving children and youth. Agencies may apply on behalf of existing employees or prospective staff, who will be eligible for up to $30,000 in student loan repayment over the course of a three-year service obligation.
This round will support at least 400 awards, as follows:
- 200 awards for OMH agencies:
- 100 unrestricted
- 50 for diversity, equity, and inclusion
- 50 for OMH priority mental health settings
- 200 awards for OCFS agencies
- 180 unrestricted
- 20 for diversity, equity, and inclusion
Eligible licensed professionals cannot simultaneously participate in this program and any other loan repayment or forgiveness program. To ensure equitable access statewide and across programs, applicants will be limited by a total maximum award cap of $50,000 annually by provider.
Program and application details are available here. Applications will be accepted on first come, first served basis through April 30th. Questions may be submitted to OMH.CMHLRP@omh.ny.gov with a reference to the application section to which the question refers.
OMH Issues RFP for Children’s Community Residences (CCR)
On January 30th, OMH issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to support existing Children’s Community Residences (CCRs) with specializing in transition-age youth with or at risk of child welfare involvement. CCRs are 8-bed, short-term (4-6 month), home-like therapeutic programs for youth with serious emotional disturbance. Funding will support additional staffing and/or specialized staff positions, services, staff training, and recipient service dollars.
Eligible applicants are not-for-profit 501(c)(3) agencies that operate CCRs with an OMH-approved admission criteria that includes youth aged 16 and older.
The RFP is available here. Applications are due on April 3rd. Questions may be submitted to Jeremy Rossello at OMHLocalProcurement@omh.ny.gov through February 20th.
OASAS Issues RFA for Street Outreach Services
On February 3rd, the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for funding to support organizations that provide mobile/street outreach services to expand harm reduction education, support, resources, and linkages. Providers will target individuals who actively use drugs and are not engaged in harm reduction or treatment services, face chronic barriers to care, or live far from traditional brick-and-mortar harm reduction services.
Through this opportunity, OASAS will provide $31.9 million in total funding to support 22 awards across the state. Awardees will receive up to $460,000 in annual funding during the three-year contract period. Additionally, one-time start-up funding of up to $70,000 will be available for awardees who have not previously received funding for the cost of a vehicle(s).
Eligible applicants are not-for-profit agencies located in the region in which they intend to deliver street outreach and that operate one of the following programs within the same region:
- Syringe Service Programs (SSP) – Tier 1 or 2
- NYS Department of Health Drug User Health Hubs
- OASAS-funded Recovery Community Centers
- Operational Street Outreach and Engagement Programs
The RFA is available here. Applications are due on April 1st. Questions may be submitted to grants@oasas.ny.gov with the subject line “RFA STEW – 24031” through February 17th.
Private Foundations and Other
New York Health Foundation Opens RFP Process for the 2025 Special Projects Fund Cycle Two
On February 6th, the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) began accepting online inquiries for the second round of the 2025 Special Projects Fund. The Fund provides a total of about $2.5 million per cycle for projects that support NYHealth’s mission to improve the health of all New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable populations. In order to extend its mission across different focus areas, projects selected for funding are not permitted to address any of the following NYHealth priorities:
- Healthy Food, Healthy Lives;
- Veterans’ Health; and
- Primary Care.
NYHealth will provide a one-time, nonrenewable grant between $50,000 and $300,000 to successful applicants. Special Projects Fund grants are typically in the $200,000 range, with about eight to twelve awards made annually. Project durations typically last 12-36 months, but vary based on project requirements and activities. Lobbying, capital expenses (with some exemptions), and general operating costs are not eligible for funding.
Applicants must be not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations or for-profit organizations that can demonstrate their ability to significantly impact the health of New Yorkers in alignment with NYHealth’s mission. Previously awarded projects are available here. Applicants may submit multiple Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for consideration; however, only one project will be eligible to submit a full proposal. Applicants submitting multiple LOIs are encouraged to identify the project that is the highest priority for the organization.
The RFP is available here. Additional details, including FAQs, are available here. LOIs are due on March 4th by 1pm. Full proposals, for invited applicants only, will be due on May 15th. Award notifications are expected in September 2025. Questions may be submitted to specialprojectsfund@nyhealthfoundation.org.