Behavioral Health Integration – Medications for Opioid and Alcohol Use Disorder Grant Program

The Behavioral Health Integration – Medications for Opioid and Alcohol Use Disorder funding opportunity is administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) under the Rural Health Transformation Program. This program is supported through federal funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as part of a broader national initiative aimed at strengthening rural health systems. The initiative reflects Oklahoma’s allocation within a multi-year federal investment designed to improve healthcare access and outcomes in underserved communities, particularly those facing significant behavioral health challenges. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to expand access to medications for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder in rural communities across Oklahoma. The program emphasizes evidence-based approaches, including provider upskilling and the implementation of integrated or alternative care delivery models such as hub-and-spoke systems, mobile treatment units, and telehealth-enabled services. These strategies are intended to increase the availability of treatment options and improve care coordination for individuals experiencing substance use disorders, particularly in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure. Funding for this opportunity totals approximately 2.8 million dollars for the first budget year, with individual awards generally expected to be one million dollars or less. Applicants may propose either single-year or multi-year projects, though continued funding beyond the initial period is contingent upon future funding availability, program performance, and federal support. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring recipients to incur eligible costs upfront before submitting for reimbursement. Allowable uses include program design, workforce training, service delivery enhancements, technology implementation, and program evaluation, while prohibited uses include construction, medication purchases, and services already reimbursable through other funding sources. Eligibility for this program is broad but clearly defined. Applicants must be actively providing services within Oklahoma and demonstrate a history of serving rural communities with populations of 55,000 or fewer. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, tribal governments, higher education institutions, and state or local government entities. Applicants must also maintain a physical presence in Oklahoma, possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier, and comply with federal funding requirements. Organizations without an established rural service footprint are not eligible to apply. The application process requires submission of several components, including organizational information entered into a standardized form, a detailed project plan, a budget using prescribed templates, and grants management documentation. The project plan must address organizational capacity, evidence of need, program design, evaluation methods, and sustainability strategies. Applications are reviewed in two stages, beginning with a compliance review followed by a merit-based evaluation using criteria such as program design strength, organizational qualifications, impact potential, and budget reasonableness. The application deadline is July 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Time. Questions must be submitted by June 26, 2026, with responses provided publicly. Award notifications are expected in late August or early September, followed by contract execution by October 30, 2026. The performance period extends through July 31, 2027, with certain cost categories required to be expended earlier. While the program may continue in future years, applicants should not assume automatic renewal and must demonstrate readiness, impact, and sustainability within their proposals.

Strong applications demonstrate clear evidence based models aligned with MOUD MAUD best practices, strong rural impact, measurable outcomes, and a credible sustainability plan beyond grant funding