Peer Recovery Centers Grant Program

The Peer Recovery Centers funding opportunity is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services through its Division of Care and Treatment Services. This state-level initiative is funded by the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and is designed to strengthen Wisconsin’s behavioral health system by expanding peer-led recovery support infrastructure. The program reflects the agency’s broader mission to promote mental health, improve access to care, and support individuals with lived experience in mental health and substance use recovery. By investing in peer-led organizations, the department seeks to enhance community-based services and workforce pathways grounded in lived experience. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish and sustain a statewide network of peer recovery centers. These centers are community-based environments where individuals with lived experience provide mutual support to others facing mental health or co-occurring substance use challenges. The funding emphasizes expanding access to peer support services, fostering inclusive and accessible spaces, and supporting individuals in exploring and pursuing careers within the peer support workforce. The initiative also aligns with state administrative code requirements related to peer services and workforce development. Funding supports both operational and developmental activities for peer recovery centers. Allowable uses include providing peer recovery support services, building organizational capacity, developing partnerships with behavioral health providers and community organizations, and creating pathways for employment in peer roles. Programs must operate using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches, ensuring services are appropriate to the populations served. Additionally, recipients are required to engage with a statewide network and utilize technical assistance resources to support continuous improvement. There is no matching requirement associated with this funding. Eligibility is limited to incorporated peer-run nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated experience providing peer support services and working with individuals with lived experience in mental health or substance use challenges. A defining requirement is that the organization must be peer-led, meaning individuals with lived experience hold leadership, decision-making, and service delivery roles. Applicants must also submit an attestation identifying peer board members, confirming compliance with governance expectations. Eligibility criteria must be met at the time of application submission. The application process requires submission of a narrative response, limited to eight pages, addressing specified sections including program design, organizational capacity, experience, and alignment with grant priorities. Applications are evaluated using a 100-point scoring system, with emphasis placed on program design, grant priorities, and demonstrated experience. Additional required documents must also be included. Applications must be submitted via email to the designated department inbox, and applicants must adhere to formatting and submission guidelines outlined in the solicitation. Key dates for this funding opportunity include a posting date of May 15, 2026, a deadline for written questions on June 1, 2026, and application submission by June 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Award notifications are anticipated around July 29, 2026. The funding period spans five years, with annual contracts beginning October 1, 2026 and continuing through September 30, 2031, contingent on satisfactory performance and funding availability. Reporting requirements include monthly expense reporting and performance reporting as specified by the department. Awards will be made to applicants that achieve the highest evaluation scores and best align with program goals, including meeting statewide needs and demonstrating adherence to peer support values. Approximately eight awards are expected, each providing annual funding to support operations. This program represents a strategic investment in peer-led recovery infrastructure, emphasizing sustainability, workforce development, and community-centered care models across Wisconsin.

Focus on clearly aligning program design with peer support values and statewide needs; ensure narrative addresses scoring criteria with strong detail in high point sections