GLHA 2014 Substance Abuse Prevention Grant

GLHA 2014 Substance Abuse Prevention Grant

The Greater Lowell Health Alliance of the Community Health Network Area 10 was founded in 2006 with a goal to address unmet health needs and improve the overall health of the Greater Lowell communities. 

The GLHA is comprised of healthcare providers, business leaders, educators, and community leaders with a common goal to help the Greater Lowell community identify and address its health and wellness priorities. In 2008, GLHA merged with Community Health Network Area 10 (“CHNA 10”). Bringing together GLHA and the CHNA has strengthened our ability to work with others in order to enrich the region, network and share ideas, gain knowledge about health-related issues and topics, and increase cultural competency of the services provided in Greater Lowell. 

In 2014, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts awarded a $200,000 contract to the Greater Lowell Health Alliance to address the increasing issues surrounding substance abuse including alcohol, marijuana and other drugs in the Greater Lowell Area. Thanks to the efforts of our State Legislators, the Greater Lowell Health Alliance (GLHA) is proud to offer Substance Use Prevention grants for the fall of 2014 to support programs and services to improve the health of the Greater Lowell community. 

The purpose of this RFP is to provide grant funding to increase services and programs to better meet the needs of communities in the Greater Lowell area.
Grants will be awarded with the following priority areas: 

• Build the capacity of those who work with children and youth to deliver prevention services;
• Address change in the social environment by promoting community norms and public policies that decrease substance use,
• Reduce risk factors and increase protective factors among youth and families by providing substance abuse prevention, education, outreach programs and services.
• Emphasis is placed on building local partnerships to implement strategies that change community conditions and increase the community’s capacity to sustain effective efforts.
Available Funds
Two hundred thousand dollars will be allocated to address this critical health issue in the area of substance use prevention and education.

Award Amount and Eligibility

There will be two separate criteria for application. Applicants are permitted to submit one proposal as lead agency, however may serve as a partner on others.

Criteria 1 – $100,000 will be allocated to mini-grants ranging from $5,000-$10,000.
The GLHA will award approximately ten to twenty mini grants in this range.

*Communities may apply jointly for a larger pool of funding, for more impact. However, demonstration of collaboration will be a requirement to receive grants above $10,000.

Criteria 2 –$100,000 will be allocated to one grant in the amount up to $100,000. Grants in this range must work to build the capacity of those who work with children and youth to deliver substance abuse prevention services. Grants in this range must demonstrate a regional effort with multiple communities within the GLHA Substance Use and Prevention Task Force by working with agencies such as local health departments, police departments, and the District Attorney’s office. There will only be one grant awarded in this area.

Grants will be awarded to support projects taking place between September 2014-August 2015. Non-profit organizations or public entities (such as municipalities, schools, health and human service providers) are eligible to apply. Awards will not be given to individuals or be used for scholarships. Grant awards cannot be used to fund capital or overhead expenses. Priority will be given to agencies with representatives serving on the Substance Use and Prevention Task Force. Organizations not currently participating in the above task force are welcome to apply and encouraged to join the task force.

Grants will be awarded at the discretion of the review committee, with guidance from area specialists.

Award Criteria

Completed applications will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Well-designed project that fits into the priority areas
  • Clear explanation of the proposed project and demonstration of the impact the project will have on increasing and/or improving healthcare services provided to target population
  • Clear, demonstrated health need supported by available data
  • Clear, measurable goals and objectives
  • Realistic timeline for implementation of project
  • Explanation of expected outcomes
  • Demonstrated collaborative efforts with other community organizations
  • Criteria 2 must demonstrate regional effort
  • Plan for in-kind or matching funds for increase sustainability of project
  • Appropriate budget with justification
  • The following communities are eligible to apply: Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tyngsboro, Tewksbury, Westford, Wilmington, and Pepperell.

Application Process

Applicants must complete the following application and may apply for up to $100,000. Funds must be used to advance the objectives of the proposed program and will be reviewed accordingly. An organization may only submit one proposal as the lead organization, but can be listed as a collaborator on others.

Required Pages and Information

In addition to the cover sheet, narrative page, and budget, an application will only be considered complete when it includes the following supporting documents:
 Updated list of your Board of Directors, Board of Selectmen or other governing body.

  • Federal tax exempt letter including tax identification number
  • Most recent 990, 990N filing or similar documentation.
  • Application, including cover sheet, narrative, and budget, may not exceed six pages.

Letters of commitment are preferred to letters of support, but are not required, and do not count against your 6 page maximum.

A grant review committee will review and score all applications based upon the previously stated award criteria.

Scores will be weighted as follows for a total of 50 points.
• Demonstration of Program/Project Need – 10 points
• Target Population – 5 points
• Project plan, objectives, and proposed outcomes – 25 points
• Budget – 10 points
• Applications will not be accepted if they do not include the above required pages and information.
• Justification must be presented if applicant feels their agency is not applicable.
• Any applications that exceed 6 pages will only be read through page 6.
• Font size no less than 11. Margins no less than .5

Deadlines

• The RFP will be released on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 and all grant applications must be received no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, August 8, 2014. Applications can be sent by email (preferred method) to kdentremont@greaterlowellhealthalliance.org or by mailing a hard copy to:
Kerrie D’Entremont
Greater Lowell Health Alliance
One Hospital Drive, Lowell, MA 01852

• All questions or concerns in regard to this RFP may be directed to Kerrie D’Entremont at kdentremont@greaterlowellhealthalliance.org.
• Grants will not be accepted after the August 8th deadline.
• Grant recipients will be notified by Friday, September 19, 2014.

Requirements of Recipient Organizations

Successful applicants will be expected to:
• Assign a representative to participate in the GLHA Substance Use and Prevention task force or subcommittee aligned with their project, if they have not already done so.
• Submit a progress report six months after receiving the award and a summary report and finance report within three months following the completion of the funded project.
• Create a poster display of the project for the 2015 GLHA annual meeting in September. Include outcomes measures and impact.

When filling out the application, ask yourself the following questions:

1) Does the project meet the RFP requirements?
2) Is your project collaborative?
3) Are program outcomes clearly defined?
4) Are objectives expressed in quantitative terms?
5) Is the timetable feasible in relation to the objectives?
6) Are methods clearly described?
7) Are methods explicitly related to specific objectives?
8) Are the methods appropriate for achieving the desired results?
9) Is the program as described likely to produce the desired impact?
10) Is an appropriate method for evaluating the program clearly described?
11) Is the budget reasonable in relation to the stated objectives of the program?
12) Is the CHNA funding a percentage of the entire budget?
13) Are expenses adequately explained?