CNA / CNR / CNCA

The Community Network Anchors grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) through its Office of Performance Management and Office of Women’s Health and Family Services. This funding opportunity is part of the broader Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative, which aims to improve coordination, accessibility, and effectiveness of behavioral health services for children and families across the state. The program builds upon strategic recommendations outlined in the Blueprint for Transformation, emphasizing equity, system coordination, and the integration of family and youth voice into public health and behavioral health systems. The primary purpose of this grant is to fund a regional lead entity that will serve as a Community Network Anchor within the Westchester IDPH Health Region. This entity will be responsible for coordinating, organizing, and expanding community networks that support mental health, behavioral health, public health, and family well-being. The funded organization will convene diverse stakeholders including healthcare providers, schools, local governments, and community-based organizations to strengthen connections and improve service delivery. A central focus of the program is to elevate family and youth voice, ensuring that individuals with lived experience are actively engaged in governance, planning, and implementation of community initiatives. Funding under this opportunity is provided through a combination of federal pass-through and state resources, with a total program allocation of 150,000 dollars and a single anticipated award. Grant funds must be used for necessary and reasonable expenses directly tied to the program’s objectives, including personnel, travel, meeting costs, supplies, and contractual services. However, certain costs such as incentives, promotional items, construction, and pre-award expenses are prohibited. Indirect costs are not allowed under this funding opportunity, and no cost sharing or matching is required. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as nonprofit organizations, government agencies, school districts, regional offices of education, and institutions of higher education. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in coordinating regional or local behavioral health or public health initiatives and must show strong connections to the communities they intend to serve. Additional requirements include registration and prequalification through the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act system, possession of an active Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov registration, and compliance with state and federal eligibility standards. The application process requires submission through the IDPH Electronic Grants Administration and Management System (EGrAMS). Applicants must complete a comprehensive application that includes organizational information, a detailed scope of work, a work plan aligned with SMART objectives, a budget and budget narrative, and supporting documentation such as resumes and risk assessments. A narrative component must address governance structure, community engagement strategies, evaluation plans, sustainability, and evidence of community partnerships. At least three letters of support from regional leaders are also required. A technical assistance session is offered but not mandatory to support applicants during the process. Applications are accepted from May 8, 2026 through June 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM. The anticipated project period runs for twelve months from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with the possibility of one renewal. Applications will undergo a competitive merit-based review process with scoring based on scope of work, work plan, and budget. Successful applicants will receive a Notice of State Award and must comply with reporting requirements including quarterly and final reports, as well as monthly reimbursement documentation. This grant does not explicitly state a recurring cycle, and no future application round is guaranteed.

Emphasize lived experience integration strong governance structure and clear regional coordination strategy aligned with evaluation criteria