Youth Services Expansion in Recovery Community and Outreach Centers (RCOCs)

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is a state agency responsible for overseeing one of the largest addiction service systems in the United States, with a mission to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use disorders. Through this funding opportunity, titled Youth Services Expansion in Recovery Community and Outreach Centers (RCOCs), OASAS seeks to strengthen its statewide recovery infrastructure by expanding existing adult-focused recovery programs to better serve youth populations. This initiative reflects a strategic effort to address service gaps and improve access to developmentally appropriate recovery supports for adolescents across New York State. The primary purpose of this grant is to enable up to fifteen currently funded OASAS Recovery Community and Outreach Centers to expand their programming to include youth ages 12 to 17. These expansions are intended to create or enhance recovery-oriented services that are tailored specifically to adolescents, including those with substance use disorders as well as those seeking a safe, substance-free environment. The program recognizes a documented shortage of youth-focused recovery services, with only a limited number of Youth Clubhouses operating statewide and numerous counties lacking both youth-specific and recovery community infrastructure. Funding awarded under this opportunity is expected to be used within the existing operational structure of RCOCs, supporting the development of new youth programming or the enhancement of current services. Allowable uses likely include staffing, program development, outreach, and implementation of recovery support services that are age-appropriate. A key requirement for applicants is the completion of a needs assessment to justify the expansion. This assessment may incorporate a wide range of data sources, including community surveys, public health data, census information, and regional or national reports, and must inform how services will be designed or improved. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to not-for-profit organizations that are already funded by OASAS as Recovery Community and Outreach Centers and are located within eligible counties listed in the program appendix. Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the needs within their communities and propose a detailed plan for integrating youth services into their existing programs. This includes outlining how services will be structured, how youth will be engaged, and how outcomes will be measured. The application process requires submission through the official New York State contracting portal by the stated deadline. While no letter of intent is required, applicants are given the opportunity to submit questions by a specified deadline, after which responses will be posted publicly. The application itself is expected to include narrative components such as program design, needs assessment findings, and implementation strategy, though specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the summary. Proposals will likely be reviewed based on demonstrated need, program feasibility, and alignment with OASAS goals. Key timeline elements include a questions submission deadline of May 8, 2026, with answers posted on May 15, 2026, and a final application deadline of June 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Awards are anticipated to be announced on July 17, 2026. The initial contract period is expected to span 24 months, allowing grantees sufficient time to develop, implement, and evaluate their expanded youth services. For further information, applicants are directed to contact Nicole Prunty via the OASAS grants email inbox. Additional details, including full solicitation documents and updates, are available through the New York State Contract Reporter website. This funding opportunity represents a targeted investment in youth recovery services and aims to build a more comprehensive and inclusive system of care across New York State.

Emphasize a data driven needs assessment using local, regional, and national data sources to justify program expansion and clearly link findings to proposed youth services.