SETT-26007 Youth Svcs Expansion in RCOC

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is the state agency responsible for overseeing one of the nation’s largest addiction services systems, including prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services. Through this funding opportunity, OASAS is seeking to strengthen its recovery-oriented systems of care by expanding the role of Recovery Community and Outreach Centers (RCOCs). These centers serve as community-based hubs that provide peer-led recovery support, and this initiative specifically focuses on enhancing their capacity to address youth needs. The purpose of this grant is to fund up to fifteen existing OASAS-funded RCOCs to expand their services to include youth ages 12 through 17. This initiative is designed to address a documented gap in developmentally appropriate recovery support services for youth across New York State. The program acknowledges that many communities lack youth-specific recovery environments, as evidenced by the limited number of existing Youth Clubhouses and the absence of both RCOCs and youth-focused programs in numerous counties. The funding aims to create or enhance services that are responsive to youth developmental needs while maintaining a recovery-oriented framework. Awarded providers will be expected to integrate youth services into their existing program structures. Allowable activities include the development of safe, drug-free environments for youth, the provision of recovery support services for those experiencing substance use disorders, and programming for youth who may not yet be in recovery but are seeking supportive environments. Programs must demonstrate alignment with recovery-oriented principles and prioritize accessibility for youth within their communities. While specific cost-sharing or matching requirements are not indicated, funding is intended to support programmatic expansion rather than entirely new standalone initiatives. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to not-for-profit organizations that are already funded by OASAS as Recovery Community and Outreach Centers. Applicants must operate within eligible counties outlined in the solicitation appendix and demonstrate a clear community need for youth services. A key requirement of the application is the completion of a needs assessment, which may incorporate local, regional, state, or national data sources such as public health reports, census data, or community surveys. Applicants must also present a plan for integrating assessment findings into program design and service delivery enhancements. The application process requires submission through the New York State Contract Reporter system by the stated deadline. While no letter of intent is required, applicants must adhere to the full proposal submission requirements and timelines. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted by the specified deadline, with responses posted publicly thereafter. Evaluation criteria are expected to include the strength of the needs assessment, feasibility of the implementation plan, and the applicant’s capacity to deliver youth-focused recovery services within the existing RCOC framework. The application deadline is June 5, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Questions must be submitted by May 8, 2026, with answers posted on May 15, 2026. Awards are anticipated to be announced on July 17, 2026. The initial contract period is expected to span 24 months. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the application workshop associated with the Youth Services Expansion initiative. For additional information or clarification, applicants may contact the OASAS grants office via email. This funding opportunity does not explicitly indicate that it recurs annually, and therefore it should be treated as a single-cycle solicitation unless otherwise updated by the agency. Organizations seeking to expand youth recovery services within New York State are strongly encouraged to evaluate their readiness, community need, and programmatic capacity prior to applying.

Emphasize strong data-driven needs assessment and clearly demonstrate how findings will inform program design and service expansion