Now that we at Benchmark have received the news that we'll continue as administrators of the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, SAMHSA Block Grant funded substance abuse prevention services, we can proceed towards releasing the State Fiscal Year 2008 Substance Abuse Prevention Request for Funding Applications (RFA).  The timeline for this year’s RFA is below.

But first, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of DHW’s Substance Abuse Program, Regional Directors, Community Resource Development Specialists and the community prevention providers for your support and partnership over the past four years.  A special thanks also goes to the many people who voiced their support for Benchmark as we sought a second term as DHW’s substance abuse prevention administrators.  We will continue to work to improve the availability and quality of substance abuse prevention programs across Idaho.

SFY 2008 Funding Applications and Timeline 
It’s time once again to plan, budget and apply for another year of substance abuse prevention funding.  This year’s Request for Funding Application (RFA) will largely be the same as last year’s, but we’ve tried to simplify and streamline the applications.  They’ll still take time to complete, but we’ve tried to clarify some sections and eliminate items we no longer need or that most people didn’t answer the way we thought they would.

There will be just two applications this year – direct service programs and coalitions.  The direct service program application is designed for organizations that wish to deliver substance abuse prevention services directly to individuals and families.  The coalition application is designed for community groups and agencies that wish to work at the environmental level to change community awareness, attitudes toward and access to alcohol and other intoxicants.

Benchmark’s current administration contract with the state expires June 30, 2007.  Because of this, all existing prevention contracts will also expire June 30, 2007.  The SFY 2008 RFA is open to all applicants.  Applicants chosen for funding will receive a new standard Benchmark prevention contract.  As in the past, direct service contracts will have the option of annual extensions, whereas community coalition funding applicants will receive new contracts each year funding is awarded to them.

Timeline
The RFA timeline was pushed back a little this year as we awaited news as to whether Benchmark would administer the state’s substance abuse prevention program after June 30, 2007.  To the positive, the applications will now be due after the prevention conference and tax season.  As in the past, Benchmark will host two conference calls to provide technical assistance for the RFA, and will prioritize contracting to ensure that early summer services will continue with little or no interruption. 

Date	Event
April 6, 2007	Direct service, coalition applications released
April 12, 2007	First conference call for RFA questions (morning)
April 24, 2007	Second conference call for RFA questions (afternoon)
May 4, 2007	Funding applications/budgets/work plans due at Benchmark
May 22 - 24, 2007	Benchmark funding allocation conference
May 29 - June 7, 2007	Regional Funding Allocation plans reviewed and announced
June 1, 2007 and onward	SFY 2008 contracts prepared
June 15, 2007	Begin issuing contracts to start July 1, 2007