Community-based organizations

Funding types: CBO grants are awarded through the Request for Application (RFA) process conducted on a biannual basis or as funding becomes available. RFA respondents are required to submit an application outlining identified substance use or mental health needs of the community, an action plan addressing the needs, a budget, and how health disparities will be addressed.  As of July 2021, there are three funding types:

State Opioid Response (SOR): SOR funding is provided through the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grants. This funding supports the Washington State Opioid and Overdose Response Plan. SOR funded CBOs engage local communities to provide community-based prevention programming, promoting of responsible prescribing, safe storage, and return of unused medication. SOR CBO’s action plans must include:

• At least one Evidence-Based Program (EBP) from the approved SOR EBP program list
• Participating in the National Drug Take-Back Days held in April and October of each contract year
• Implementing the Starts with One campaign
• Implementing an environmental program or a social norms campaign based on local community need

Dedicated Marijuana Account (DMA): Washington state’s DMA Project funding serves to address the requirements of Initiative 502 in which CBOs will implement youth marijuana misuse and abuse prevention services. This funding is used to increase capacity to implement direct services and environmental strategies addressing substance misuse in high needs communities. DMA CBOs must implement programs from the approved list that fall under these two categories:

• Evidence-based program (EBP) or research-based program (RBP)
• Promising programs (PP) and services
  • Approved budgets must have no less than 85% of funds allocated towards EBP or RBP programs, and no more than 15% of funds allocated towards PP services.

Mental Health Promotion Project (MHPP): MHPP funding is general state funds provided by the Washington State legislature to address mental health promotion and suicide prevention in alignment with the Washington State Suicide Prevention Plan. These funds support services aimed to highlight positive self-esteem, strengthen individual resiliency, and general wellbeing. CBOs who receive MHPP funds must meet the following three requirements as outlined in their contract:

1. Implement at least one Youth Mental Health First Aid Training per year (a minimum of two over the project period)
2. Implement at least one community awareness raising event or activity per year (a minimum of two over the project period)
3. Implement direct service programming from the approved list on a recurring basis (i.e. multiple series and implementation cycles throughout the project period) from at least one of the following categories:

• Evidence-Based Programs (EBP) or Research Based Programs (RBP) or services (for mental health promotion and/or suicide prevention)
• Promising Programs (PP) and services (for mental health promotion and/or suicide prevention)
• Innovative program and services (only allowed for suicide prevention services)

Prevention training opportunities can be found on the Athea Forum training calendar.

Find other training opportunities by connecting with prevention providers near you. You can search by local, regional, or state prevention contacts.

Here are some resources to support program implementation:

1. Minerva survey selection guide
2. Minerva online data reporting
3. Billing directions for providers
4. CBO community implementation guide

Coming soon!

Sonja Pipek
Supervisor, Tribal and CBO Services
Sonja.Pipek@hca.wa.gov