Dane County Department of Human Services, Adult Community Services, is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2022 infrastructure support grants to promote increased access to diversity and equity in behavioral health outpatient providers who provide services to target populations and would benefit from funding certain startup costs and/or infrastructure support (Short Title: Outpatient Infrastructure Grant). The purpose of this grant is to provide small to mid-sized behavioral health agencies fiscal support to begin providing or expand outpatient services to target groups by providing holistic, evidence-based, culturally relevant or specific, outpatient services for mental health and/or substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. The Outpatient Infrastructure Grants are intended to increase the capacity and effectiveness of our behavioral health system by serving target communities and underserved populations. Outpatient Infrastructure Grant recipients will focus on capacity building and ensuring the necessary framework to support a future outpatient open network partnership with Dane County Department of Human Services (DCDHS).

This grant has a strong emphasis on cross-system collaboration, inclusion of family and community resources, peer integration and appropriate cultural approaches. Large agencies or agencies who already have the appropriate funding/infrastructure in place to support their outpatient services should not apply.

The Dane County Department of Human Services seeks to boost their outpatient service offerings by funding agencies in the development of necessary infrastructure to successfully serve target populations as DCDHS moves from an outpatient purchase of service contract to an open network of providers through a one-time, $200,000 grant program for providers interesting in serving Dane County residents. To make an impact in the community, the minimum grant award is $5,000 with a maximum request of $99,000. The Department intends to award more than one provider funding under this grant.

Target populations may include BIPOC, Latinx, Hmong, LGBTQIA+, culturally specific or gender specific services, etc. Consideration may be made for specific or specialty service offerings such as trauma, OCD, hoarding, etc. Populations served with specialty offerings should also be targeted to low income or otherwise marginalized groups.

“Outpatient services" means the services offered or provided to a consumer, including intake, assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy and medication management.

This grant assists outpatient provider’s efforts to increase the delivery of direct service to individuals by assisting with startup and infrastructure costs. Allowable grant activities include the following:

• Expansion of, or needed adaptation to, any current operating expenses in order to meet emerging client service needs or opportunities in relation to outpatient services. Expansion of staffing or supports with grant funds would end following the grant period.
• Direct service materials and supplies – Purchase of agency supplies to meet outpatient service needs.
• Assistance in obtaining licensure or certification – costs associated with obtaining or maintaining certification or licensure with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services or Medicaid, including certification and licensure fees and associated administrative costs.
• Startup costs – costs associated with the agency needing to expand current offerings or startup costs for the agency itself. See exclusions list for rule out items.
• Staff training – training needs for staff as it relates directly to the service provision for specific target groups.
• Infrastructure costs – costs associated with the agencies need to have the necessary business structure to serve and expand current service offerings to target groups and underserved populations. Infrastructure costs may include:
  • The purchase of computer or other technology equipment, including electronic health care (EHR) records and support.
  • Video or other telehealth technology costs
  • Software licensure, telephony systems, upgrades or ERH buildouts/support
  • Laptops, desktops, cell phones, desk phones, office equipment, etc.
  • Administrative and billing support.
  • Certain remodeling costs such as construction on building structure to support expansion and program offerings.
  • Costs associated with strengthening networking/collaboration efforts, organizational business management skills, business other identified business development needs.
  • Onetime costs associated with the promotion of workforce development within the agency (training, support for licensure or credentialing, or accreditation)
  • Costs association with outreach and service marketing
  • Costs associated with consultation or technical assistance needs
  • Other infrastructure costs may be considered
• Exclusionary Costs –
  • Staff wages or benefits
  • Direct consumer services
  • Rent (other than security deposit or other one time fees)
  • Costs that would need continued funding past the grant period to sustain

• Agencies must be or desire to become behavioral health outpatient providers who intend to serve a specific target population or underserved population in Dane County.
• Have a total operating budget under $250,000, annually.
• Have an office based in Dane County and serve Dane County residents.
• Eligible providers do not need to be current DCDHS purchase of service providers to qualify, as one objective of this initiative is to support outpatient providers interested in expanding their services to historically underserved groups in a future open network structure.
• Agencies must use grant monies for one or more of the allowable grant activities listed above.
• This funding opportunity is not open to providers that do not deliver behavioral health services, private or public schools, other units of state or local government, or individuals.
• Must be an active registered business verified with Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).

A successful application for the Outpatient Infrastructure Grant must include the following:

1. Project Narrative (Maximum 4000 words): The project narrative should describe what you intend to do with the grant monies as well as include the following:

• Describe how your agency meets the eligibility criteria.
• Describe the target population served or intending to serve.
• Describe your need for infrastructure support through this grant.
• Describe the allowable grant activities grant funds will support.
• Describe the impact grant monies would have on the community and target population.
• Describe your work and experience with uninsured/low-income and historically underserved populations.
• Describe any culturally specific services your agency will offer.
• Describe the use of Evidence Based Practices within your agency.
• Describe the integration of peer support services into your outpatient model, if applicable.
• Describe your willingness to participate in a Dane County open network model of outpatient services for those who are uninsured or otherwise authorized by the County.
• Describe your experience working with individuals in Dane County.
• Describe your agencies knowledge, training and experience working with diversity, equity and inclusion.

Total Points Available: 60

2. Budget Justification and Narrative (Maximum 2000 words):

• Provide a line-by-line budget break down of identified costs associated with your request. Specifically, identify key points/dates in which invoiced reimbursement will be requested from the County.
• Describe in detail how your budget relates to the overall outpatient infrastructure grant and implementation plan for grant monies.
• Provide a narrative response to the budget items requested for funding and identify how funds will directly tie to increased service delivery for target populations.
• Provide a project timeline that specifically identifies key points you will complete certain tasks associated with this grant as well as ensure project completion and fund distribution not later than 12/31/2022.

Total Points Available: 40

The Department’s objective is to fund multiple agencies for a total of $200,000. Minimum grant awards will be $5,000 with a maximum of $99,000.

Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Partial awards may be granted at the discretion of the Department.

Grant recipients will be required to submit a final program summary after the conclusion of the grant period not later than February 1, 2023.  Program summaries will include a description of the completed grant activities, a summary of program experience, dollars expended, outcomes or program impact on the community served by the grant activities, and what equity challenge or opportunity was addressed. 

Invoices and receipts will be required for payment. Quarterly expense reporting will be required for payment.

Submit Project Narrative and Budget Justification and Narrative including any attachment as PDF documents to DCDHSBHGrants@danecounty.gov. Include in your submission email the title, DHDHS Outpatient Infrastructure Grant. You will receive an email confirmation as receipt of your application.

The Department is not liable for any costs incurred for proposers in replying to this grant notice.

Basic project expenses are requested in the application budget. Costs to administer must not exceed 15%.

Questions regarding the application, eligibility, or other issues should be sent to DCDHSBHGrants@danecounty.gov

Deadline for questions is May 31.

All responses will be posted to a Q&A section on this website.