Regional Prevention and Linkages to Care Collaborative (RL25) Southeast Region Program

The Regional Prevention and Linkages to Care Collaborative (RL25) Southeast Region Program is a state-administered funding opportunity offered by the Ohio Department of Health through its Violence and Injury Prevention Section. The program is designed to address the ongoing public health crisis related to drug overdose deaths, particularly those driven by opioid use and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The initiative is part of a broader statewide strategy aligned with federal Overdose Data to Action efforts and seeks to establish coordinated regional leadership to strengthen prevention infrastructure and improve access to care for individuals with substance use disorders. The primary purpose of the program is to fund one lead agency within each designated region to coordinate overdose prevention efforts, assess regional needs, and implement data-informed strategies. The selected agency must employ a full-time Regional Prevention Lead who will be responsible for building partnerships, supporting local health departments, and coordinating with state agencies to align prevention efforts. The program emphasizes a multi-sector approach, incorporating healthcare systems, harm reduction programs, public safety agencies, and community-based organizations. Core activities include conducting regional assessments, facilitating linkage to care services, supporting harm reduction initiatives, and strengthening referral systems for treatment and recovery services. Funding supports both base program activities and an optional supplemental component focused on expanding harm reduction services. Allowable uses of funds include personnel costs, program implementation, partnership development, and data collection activities. However, strict limitations apply to certain expenditures, including infrastructure projects, lobbying, entertainment, and specific harm reduction items such as naloxone purchases or syringe distribution. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, and applicants are instructed not to include match contributions in their budgets. Eligibility is limited to local public or nonprofit agencies located within the Southeast Region of Ohio, and only those previously funded under the original solicitation are eligible to apply. Additional restrictions exclude counties directly funded through certain federal overdose prevention grants. Applicants must demonstrate administrative capacity, maintain compliance with state grant systems, and designate a full-time coordinator dedicated entirely to the program. The application process requires submission through the Ohio Department of Health’s Grants Management Information System, along with multiple components including a project narrative, budget justification, workplan, civil rights questionnaire, and supporting documentation such as letters of support from local health districts. Applications are evaluated through a competitive review process based on clarity, completeness, alignment with program goals, and demonstrated ability to address health disparities and implement evidence-based interventions. Review criteria include the strength of the workplan, the feasibility of proposed activities, organizational capacity, and the inclusion of measurable outcomes. Successful applicants must also comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including quarterly or monthly expenditure reports and periodic program reports submitted through the state system. The application timeline includes a required Notice of Intent to Apply due July 1, 2024, followed by a full application deadline of July 22, 2024. The program budget period runs from September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025, while the broader program period extends through August 31, 2028. Awards are issued following a formal review and notification process, and funded agencies are expected to begin implementation immediately upon receipt of the Notice of Award. Program contacts are available through the Ohio Department of Health, with designated staff providing technical assistance and guidance throughout the application and implementation phases.