Regional Partnership Grants

The Regional Partnership Grants program is administered by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This federal initiative is designed to strengthen cross-system collaboration among child welfare agencies, substance abuse treatment providers, and judicial systems. The program is rooted in federal priorities to address the intersection of substance use disorders and child welfare involvement, particularly where parental substance abuse contributes to child removal or risk of out-of-home placement. By fostering coordinated regional partnerships, the program aims to improve outcomes for children and families through integrated service delivery and evidence-based interventions. The primary purpose of the grant is to support family-centered treatment programs and services for children who are either already in out-of-home care or are at risk of entering such placements due to caregiver substance abuse. The funding is intended to expand access to comprehensive and long-term substance use disorder treatment services, including medication-assisted treatment and in-home recovery supports. In addition to treatment services, allowable activities include early intervention, prevention programming, mental health services, family counseling, and parenting skills development. The program also emphasizes replication and scaling of proven models that effectively address substance use within the context of family systems. Funding under this opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial federal involvement in program oversight and implementation. The total estimated program funding is eight million dollars, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars to a maximum of one million dollars. Approximately eight awards are expected. A cost-sharing or matching requirement is explicitly stated, requiring applicants to contribute non-federal resources toward project costs. The grant supports a five-year project period, totaling sixty months, divided into five twelve-month budget periods. Projects must include both a planning phase and an implementation phase, ensuring structured development and execution of services. Eligibility for this program is limited to regional partnerships composed of required and optional partners. Mandatory partners include a state child welfare agency administering Title IV-B or IV-E plans, a state agency responsible for substance abuse prevention and treatment block grants, and the appropriate administrative office of the juvenile court system handling child abuse and neglect cases. Optional partners may include additional state agencies, tribal entities, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and for-profit service providers. A lead applicant must be designated to manage funding, reporting, and program coordination. Special provisions apply for tribal-led partnerships, including exemptions from certain partner requirements. The application process requires electronic submission through federal grant systems by the specified deadline. Applications must be submitted by July 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. While the forecast notice does not detail all required application components, applicants should anticipate standard federal requirements such as program narratives, budget justifications, partnership agreements, and performance measurement plans. Projects are expected to report on defined performance indicators and demonstrate alignment with program goals. The anticipated award date is September 1, 2026, with project implementation beginning by September 30, 2026. Evaluation of applications will likely focus on the strength of the regional partnership, the quality and feasibility of the proposed service model, the use of evidence-based practices, and the capacity to manage and sustain program activities. The program emphasizes accountability through performance reporting and measurable outcomes related to child safety, family stability, and substance use recovery. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to coordinate across systems and effectively serve high-risk populations. For additional information, applicants may contact the program representative via email or phone. The forecasted opportunity indicates an expected posting date of May 25, 2026, after which full application details and guidance will be made available. This program represents a recurring federal investment in addressing the complex needs of families impacted by substance use disorders and child welfare involvement, reinforcing the importance of integrated, cross-sector approaches to service delivery.

Ensure strong cross-system partnerships; emphasize evidence-based treatment models; demonstrate capacity for performance tracking and reporting