Transforming Lives Through Supported Employment Program 

Short Title: Supported Employment Program

Grant Funding Opportunity 

NOFO Number: SM-23-008 

FAQ

Q: What Technical Assistance will be available for a first-time applicant?

A: Regarding Technical Assistance, please review Required and Allowable Activities; pages 

7-10 of the NOFO. Grant funds can be spent to "Participate with supported employment 

organizations to obtain technical assistance to implement and sustain evidence-based

supported employment and adhere to fidelity" thus, funds can be used for technical 

assistance for specific purposes.

Q: We are considering submitting an application for this RFA but wanted to get some 

clarification regarding on the expected scope of this grant and is it intended for a 

statewide agency such as DCF or DOL? 

A: Regarding eligibility, "eligible applicants are States and Territories, including the District 

of Columbia, political subdivisions of States, Indian tribes, or tribal organizations (as 

such terms are defined in section 5304 of title 25), health facilities, or programs operated 

by or in accordance with a contract or award with the Indian Health Service, or other 

public or private non-profit entities." Please review pages 17 and 48 of the NOFO to 

determine whether your organization falls within the established criteria for eligibility.

Q: We are excited about this funding opportunity and our interest is in serving transition age 

youth. Our experience with transitional age young people is that services are more 

effective and the outcomes are greater when we begin at the ages of 16 or 17. What is the 

possibility that we could include 16 or 17 year olds in our targeted population for this 

funding application? 

A: Please review pages 4 and 6 of the FY 2023 NOFO titled Transforming Lives Through 

Supported Employment for specifics about the recipients of Supported Employment 

services. The grant funds services for adults. 
Q: As I prepare the grant proposal, I wanted to ask if there was any webinars, presentations 

or meetings I could attend to help guide us through the process. 

A: The PowerPoint presentation from the Pre-Application Webinar is available on the 

SAMHSA website. Additionally, please note the budget guidance starting on pg. 76. 

Q: It is stated that this program will increase capacity to implement SEP models. It is also 

stated that each mental health provider organization must have at least two years of 

experience providing relevant services. Should this be interpreted as two years 

experience providing IPS SE to fidelity? Does the grant require that we have been 

implementing IPS SE fully for 2 years with fidelity or would our current status also meet 

eligibility?

A: Please describe your experience as an organization working with persons with serious 

mental illness and vocational rehabilitation. Per the NOFO, pg., 18 applicants must 

document two years’ experience providing relevant services. The NOFO does not specify 

that such services must be in fidelity with IPS. 

Q: In addressing behavioral health disparities, the DIS is said to identify racial, ethnic, 

sexual and gender minority and rural populations at the highest risk for experiencing 

behavioral health disparities. Underserved populations are defined in the NOFA by the 

factors of race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation. As a rural state with 

geographic areas experiencing limitations to access to evidence-based supported 

employment, would addressing rural populations address the grant requirements 

regarding health disparities and under-served populations? 

A: Per pages 25 and 60 of the NOFO, please describe in your grant application service gaps 

and disparities in your community and how you plan to engage underserved groups in 

your area. It is not required that your organization is located in an area with high rates of 

underserved persons. What we ask is that you indicate in your application the service 

gaps and disparities in your community and how you plan to engage underserved groups. 

Q: Is there a specific training on the Behavioral Health CLAS standards that program staff 

are required to attend or can we provide in-house training on the standards? 

A: Per pg. 8 of the FY 2023 NOFO Transforming Lives Through Supported Employment 

grant recipients are required to provide training on CLAS standards to all program staff. 

There are no specific trainings that are required related to training on CLAS standards. 

An organization can provide the training in-house. 
Q: Are costs related to employment for clients such as uniforms, work shoes/boots, tools, 

food handler permits, a CDL license, school supplies, car repairs, gas or other items 

needed for employment allowable? 

A: Issues related to the budget for these costs will be discussed after award of the grant. In 

general, please review the required and allowable activities, pages 7-11 of the FY 2023 

NOFO Transforming Lives Through Supported Employment for allowable costs. 

Q: We would like to offer all program participants digital literacy training (including 

computer skills) to help with employability. Can we include the trainer for this class as 

part of the program staff?

A: Issues related to budget for these costs will be discussed after award of the grant. In 

general, look at the required and allowable activities, pages 7-11 of the FY 2023 NOFO 

Transforming Lives Through Supported Employment for allowable costs.

Q: Is a bridge internship program an allowed expense for those clients who do not feel ready 

for permanent employment and need to develop the soft skills related to keeping 

employed? They would be paid during the internship with grant dollars. 

A: Please review the evidence-based supported employment model that you select for such 

guidance. Typically, Supported Employment is concerned with competitive and 

integrated employment and not volunteer or internship experiences. Information about 

Supported Employment models required for the grant can be found on pg. 8 of the FY 

2023 NOFO Transforming Lives Through Supported Employment. 

Q: We are a not-for-profit provider of mental health and substance use services. Do we fit 

the definition of “health facility” for the purposes of eligibility for SM-23-008 – FY2003 

Transforming Lives Through Supported Employment Program? 

A: Not-for-profits are eligible to apply as long as they are domestic organizations. The 

term “health facility,” noted in the Eligibility section on pg. 17 of the NOFO refers to 
health facilities operated in accordance with a contract or award with the Indian Health 

Service.