FY 2024: K-12 Opioid Prevention Education

The OAFC aims to support the development and implementation of K-12 educational prevention programs to address and reduce opioid misuse among students. The grant will fund a comprehensive program that includes curriculum development, teacher training, student education and performance monitoring. The goal is to enhance opioid prevention efforts in Texas schools through targeted educational strategies.

Up to $25 million is available for this grant opportunity. Approximately $18.75 million is allocated for the development and delivery of statewide K-12 opioid prevention education programs. In addition, $6.25 million is reserved for targeted funding in rural counties. Grant funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis, covering eligible expenses as outlined in the NOFA.

The funds for this grant opportunity are derived from opioid settlement agreements with companies involved in opioid-related litigation in Texas. These funds are part of the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund, which is managed by the OAFC to support initiatives aimed at combating opioid misuse and its impact on communities. Read more about Texas’ opioid abatement settlements.

The expected term of the Grant Agreement is an initial three-year period with one two-year renewal period, for a total project length of up to five years. CPA may unilaterally exercise this renewal option. The parties may additionally agree to no-cost extensions of the grant term pursuant to the terms of the Grant Agreement. No additional funding will be available for any renewal term or extension period.

This grant is available to political subdivisions of this state (including, but not limited to, state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts and state institutions of higher education) and nonprofit 501(c)(3) entities.

Companies that have paid funds or are currently involved in opioid abatement lawsuits are ineligible to apply.

A conflict of interest exists when an OAFC member is employed by or has the same employer as the grant applicant or has a financial interest in the grant. Conflicts of interest may also exist within the grant applicant’s network of subgrantees and subcontractors, if any, that will perform any work described in the grant agreement. OAFC members that have conflicts will be able to recuse themselves from the process to allow the applicant to be considered for award. However, if too many OAFC members are unable to vote on an application due to conflicts, the application cannot be acted upon. After applying, there will not be an opportunity to amend the application in response to a conflict of interest.

Applicant must submit its application electronically via email in accordance with the following:

1. The Application must be emailed to [email protected].
2. The subject line of the email must include Applicant’s name and the NOFA number in the following format: {Applicant Name} RFA No. OAFC-24-0002.
3. All attachments to the email must be in a format that is accessible to CPA (specific acceptable formats include Word, Excel, and pdf) and packed into one zip file;
4. All required forms must be signed, either with digital signatures or manually with scanned signatures; and
5. CPA strongly encourages Applicant to send the email (delivery receipt requested) with the attached Application at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the deadline for Applications as specified in this NOFA in order to allow for any networking delays that may occur (e.g., firewalls, security scans, etc.).

The deadline for submitting grant applications is Nov. 1, 2024 by 2 P.M. CST. Late Applications will not be accepted.

Applications will first be reviewed for compliance with the NOFA. An independent peer review panel will then evaluate and score applications based on the evaluation criteria set out in the NOFA. A pre-award risk review will also be conducted. The OAFC will make the final grant award decision.

Following the selection process, the OAFC will issue a notice of award to the chosen grant applicant. The recipient must finalize and execute the grant agreement within 30 days of receiving the notice.

The grant recipient must submit detailed status reports documenting performance and expenditures, along with any additional information requested by the OAFC. Reports are due monthly for the first year and quarterly thereafter. A project closeout report is required within 60 days of project completion. The OAFC, Comptroller’s staff or third-party evaluators may conduct site visits during and after the project to assess progress and program effectiveness.

The NOFA provides guidelines for curriculum development and implementation. The educational approach should be evidence-based and tailored to the needs of the K-12 student population. Details are outlined in the NOFA and may be supplemented by additional documentation provided by the OAFC.

Questions regarding this NOFA must be submitted in writing to [email protected] no later than 9/27/2024 at 2:00 p.m. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Please note that outside this formal question process employees and representatives of CPA are unable to discuss the contents of this NOFA with any Applicant or its representatives. Failure of an Applicant or any of its representatives to observe this restriction may result in disqualification of any related Application.