Occupant Protection Regional Coordination Grant

The Occupant Protection Regional Coordination (BB27) grant is administered by the Ohio Department of Health through its Bureau of Health Improvement and Wellness, with funding originating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration via the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. This continuation solicitation represents a later stage of a multi-year initiative focused on improving occupant protection outcomes, particularly child passenger safety, across designated regions in Ohio. The program operates within a structured statewide framework, emphasizing coordination, data collection, education, and regional implementation of evidence-based safety strategies. The primary purpose of this grant is to support regional coordination efforts that promote proper restraint use, reduce injuries and fatalities, and enhance public awareness regarding occupant protection. Funded entities are expected to serve as regional coordinators responsible for overseeing Ohio Buckles Buckeyes sites, organizing community outreach events, supporting Child Passenger Safety Technician certification efforts, and maintaining strong communication between local partners and the Ohio Department of Health. The program is highly structured around deliverables, with 100 percent of funding tied directly to completion of specific objectives and reporting requirements. Funding is allocated based on regional structures, with up to eight regional grants available and award amounts determined by geographic coverage and population factors such as the number of counties in each region. Individual regional awards range from approximately 57,850 to 90,750 dollars, with a total program funding cap of 593,100 dollars. Additional optional supplemental funding opportunities are available for select regions to support specialized initiatives such as digital reporting pilots and professional development for instructors. The minimum award threshold is 30,000 dollars, and no matching funds are required. However, all expenditures must comply with federal and state cost principles, and numerous categories of spending are explicitly disallowed, including lobbying, entertainment, equipment purchases, and paid media. Eligibility for this continuation funding is restricted to organizations that were previously awarded grants during earlier program years, specifically those funded in the 2023–2024 cycle. Applicants must demonstrate continued capacity to deliver program activities, including maintaining or contracting with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor. Additional eligibility requirements include being in good financial standing with the Ohio Department of Health, not being referred to the Attorney General, and submitting all required application materials on time through the designated system. The application process is conducted entirely through the Ohio Department of Health’s Grants Management Information System. Applicants must submit a continuation application that includes program updates, a detailed narrative describing changes and progress, documentation of health disparity reduction efforts, and a compliant program budget. Additional required components include various certifications, audit documentation, and federal reporting forms. Applications must be submitted electronically, and failure to comply with formatting or submission requirements may result in disqualification. The application deadline is June 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m., and late submissions are not accepted. The funded project period runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, representing the fifth year of the overall program cycle. Awardees are required to submit quarterly program and expenditure reports, with strict deadlines throughout the year, and a final expenditure report due in early November 2027. The program does not explicitly state a recurring cycle for new applicants, as it is structured as a continuation opportunity tied to a defined multi-year funding period.

Ensure strict adherence to deliverable-based funding requirements; submit all required documentation through GMIS; maintain compliance with cost principles and reporting deadlines; clearly demonstrate progress and capacity for continuation