AWC Alternative Response Team Grant
Contact: Jacob Ewing
AWC in partnership with the Washington Health Care Authority is pleased to announce the next round of funding for the Alternative Response Team Grant (ARTG) Program.
The purpose of the ARTG Program is to provide funding to cities to create new programs within different alternative response models including law enforcement assisted diversion (LEAD), community assistance referral and education (CARES), and mobile crisis teams.
The ARTG program is funded by state general fund dollars through the Health Care Authority.
Informational meeting
AWC held a grant informational meeting on Thursday, March 7. A recording of the meeting is available here.
Interested parties may also review the Request For Applications document.
Timeline
- Application period opens: Monday, March 11
- Application period closes: Friday, April 12 by 5 pm Pacific
- Notification of applicant status: Thursday, May 30
- Contract start date: Monday, July 1
Application
Cities interested in submitting an application for the ARTG Program must download and use the following template: 2024 ARTG application
Applications must be submitted by email to grants@awcnet.org by 5 pm Pacific time on Friday, April 12.
Materials
Below are materials that will be used in the selection process and execution of the grant:
Frequently asked questions
What is the funding source of this grant?
The ARTG program is funded by state general fund dollars. Grant funds originate with the Health Care Authority; however, AWC oversees the grant program and administers reimbursements.
Are existing programs eligible to apply for funding?
The goal of the grant is to help cities with the cost of creating co-responder programs. In keeping with that goal, programs implemented for less than 18 months at the time of application are eligible for funding. Programs that should apply include brand new programs, programs in development, pilot programs, and first-year programs.
Current recipients of ART grant funds can apply and may receive funding for qualifying applications up to three total grant cycles depending on performance, application competitiveness, and availability of funds.
Can counties, fire districts, or other public agencies apply for funding?
No – This program is specifically to reimburse cities for costs associated with creating co-responder programs. Cities are encouraged to partner with outside organizations including counties, fire districts, non-profits, and others. However, cities must apply for funding and must serve as the lead agency.
How much funding can a jurisdiction apply for?
There is not a limit to how much funding a city can apply for. We understand that costs can vary depending on where a jurisdiction is located and want to provide adequate funding to cities to effectively stand-up programs in their communities. We encourage applicants to thoughtfully consider their needs and expenses as they complete the grant application.
Will additional funding be available in the future?
As these are state funds, we cannot guarantee that funding will continue into the future.
Our jurisdiction does not have crisis stabilization and triage beds available in our community. Should we still apply for funding?
Yes – It is not a requirement that your city has these beds available. Cities without locally available beds may consider resources located in another community, virtual options, or other feasible ways of connecting individuals to services.
What types of programs are eligible to apply?
The state budget proviso specifically mentions alternative response programs including law enforcement assisted diversion (LEAD), community assistance referral and education (CARES), and mobile crisis teams.
Programs should have a focus on serving individuals living with drug addiction, mental illness, homelessness, or individuals who are high utilizers of emergency services. It is understood that once established, alternative response programs will serve a wide variety of individuals.
Questions submitted for current grant cycle
Could this [grant] fund a city employed medical provider?
Potentially – If the medical provider would be a part of a new alternative response team program, a city could request and receive funding for that position. A city seeking to use grant funds for staff positions should clearly explain the role the individual will serve in the program.
[Are there] grant constraints or restrictions? [Is the this for] new programs only or do grant opportunities include program expansion or sustainability?
Grant funds are only available to cities who are creating a new alternative response program. Cities may partner with outside agencies to stand up new programs within their community. Cities may partner with an outside agency who is currently operating a program as long as the funded program would be new for residents living in city limits.
The goal of ARTG funds is to create sustainable programs within a city. Applicants will need to demonstrate in their grant application the sustainability of the program once grant funds are no longer available.
Will this funding be available for programs that are currently grant funded and at risk of shutting down without a continued funding source?
Grant funds are only available to new programs operated within a city that have been in place for less than 18 months at the time of application or current programs receiving ARTG funding. If the program needing funding meets these criteria, the program would be eligible to apply for grant funds.
However, the goal of ARTG funds is to create sustainable programs within a city. Applicants will need to demonstrate in their grant application the sustainability of the program once grant funds are no longer available.
If you have previously received ARTG funding for a program, can you reapply for funding for that same program?
Current recipients of ART Grant funds can apply and may receive funding for qualifying applications up to three total grant cycles depending on performance, application competitiveness, and availability of funds.
[Would] a team located solely within a jail consisting of a social worker and the jail custody officers to meet the needs of people being booked by officers would be considered for this [grant] or does it need to be truly mobile?
The state budget proviso specifically mentions alternative response programs including law enforcement assisted diversion (LEAD), community assistance referral and education (CARES), and mobile crisis teams. AWC will review programs requesting funding through this lens. AWC recognizes that each community has unique needs for alternative response programs and will consider programs that provide an alternative response to traditional emergency services.
Programs should have a focus on serving individuals living with drug addiction, mental illness, homelessness, or individuals who are high utilizers of emergency services.