Rapid Response to Recovery CMHC Support Program

The Rapid Response to Recovery CMHC Support funding opportunity is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program administered by the Commonwealth of Kentucky with funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This initiative is embedded within a broader statewide strategy designed to strengthen rural health systems, improve access to care, and enhance outcomes for underserved populations. The Rapid Response to Recovery program specifically focuses on transforming the behavioral health crisis continuum by supporting stabilization, continuity of care, and long-term recovery following crisis events. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide financial support to Community Mental Health Centers across Kentucky to expand follow-up care services after Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing unit visits and to deliver behavioral health training and coordination support for emergency medical services agencies. The program is structured around two primary focus areas: enhancing post-crisis follow-up and continuity of care for individuals discharged from specialized psychiatric stabilization settings, and improving behavioral health response capacity among first responders through training, coordination, and integration activities. Funding is intended to support a wide range of allowable activities, including personnel costs for clinicians, care coordinators, and training staff; training and professional development; equipment and technology to support coordination and data sharing; travel for program delivery; and other direct costs necessary to implement program activities. Capital construction is not permitted, though minor space modifications may be allowed if directly tied to service delivery. Funds must be used to expand or enhance services rather than replace existing funding streams. The anticipated award ceiling varies depending on the scope of activities, with estimates ranging from approximately four hundred thousand dollars for training-focused efforts to up to one million two hundred thousand dollars for comprehensive program implementation. Eligibility for this funding is limited to Kentucky’s fourteen Community Mental Health Centers, which serve as the state’s behavioral health safety net. Additional eligibility constraints apply for specific program components, such as initial geographic limitations tied to pilot hospital locations for certain services. Applicants must meet administrative requirements, including establishing vendor registration with relevant state systems if awarded. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal package, including a narrative addressing program design, service delivery, partnerships, workforce capacity, and sustainability, along with a detailed budget and supporting documentation. Applications must be submitted electronically via email to the designated program contact. The funding opportunity operates on a rolling basis; however, applications submitted by early July are prioritized for funding beginning October first of the same year. The application includes multiple required sections such as an executive summary, project narrative, data collection approach, workforce plan, and implementation timeline. Proposals are evaluated using a structured scoring rubric that assesses clarity, alignment with program goals, feasibility, and capacity to deliver measurable improvements in behavioral health outcomes. The funding period begins October first and runs through the end of the federal fiscal year, with expectations for ongoing reporting, performance monitoring, and participation in quality improvement initiatives. Awards are contingent on compliance with federal and state requirements and may be adjusted based on performance or funding availability. The program is part of a multi-year initiative spanning several budget periods, with potential continuation funding dependent on successful implementation and demonstrated outcomes. While applications are reviewed competitively, the overarching goal is to build a coordinated, sustainable, and integrated behavioral health crisis response system across the Commonwealth.

Align proposal clearly with crisis system outcomes; demonstrate strong partnerships and readiness to implement; provide detailed and realistic timelines and staffing models