October 13, 2020

INvestments Supporting Partnerships In 

Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative

Workshop
2

Statement of Need and 

Strategic Alignment (Britt 

Jones)

Strategic Partnerships (Jen 

Simon)

Outcomes and Outputs

(Regina Van Horne)

SF424 forms, Budget and 

Budget Narrative (Jeff 

Schwartz) 

Question & Answer

AGENDA
arc.gov

Important Reminders

• Letters of Intent due October 16, 2020 at 5 PM Eastern Time

• Letters of Intent required for Implementation and Planning grants

• Letter of Intent template available at www.arc.gov/SUD

• Failure to submit Letter of Intent by due date disqualifies applicant to 

submit full application

• Final application due November 13, 2020 at 5 PM Eastern Time
arc.gov

INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery 

Ecosystems (INSPIRE)

What is INSPIRE?

•The purpose of this initiative is to help individuals in recovery get the support services and training they 

need to maintain recovery and successfully enter or re-enter the workforce.

Why did ARC create the INSPIRE Initiative?

•This effort is informed by earlier and on-going work of the ARC’s Substance Abuse Advisory Council, 

including six Recovery-To-Work Listening Sessions held in the region in Summer 2019. 
arc.gov

POWER VS INSPIRE 

POWER PROGRAM:

• Broad economic, transformative 

project with focus on economic 

diversification

• Priority placed on regional 

strategies 

• Prioritizes innovative or visionary 

pilot programs

• Projects are large and ambitious

• Grants can fund up to $1.5 million

INSPIRE PROGRAM: • Focused on recovery ecosystem on 

its own rather than economic 

diversification

• Focus on local ecosystems in 

individual communities

• Supports strengthening and 

expanding existing programs in 

addition to creating new ones

• Programs are more focused and 

targeted

• Grants are capped at $500,000
Statement of Need and Strategic Alignment
arc.gov

Statement of Need

• Applicants must have a well-articulated analysis of why and how the local and 

regional economy has been negatively impacted by the substance abuse 

crisis in the region.

• Must demonstrate how the proposed effort adds value to larger , more longterm vision and action plan being implemented in the Region.

• Applicant must describe how their proposal meets an unmet need, is a 

complement to existing initiatives (if applicable), and is not duplicative of any 

ongoing efforts in the project area

BJ
arc.gov

"Tips to build your 

statement of need"

• Identifying target population

• Documenting community needs for 

expansion or creation of a recovery 

ecosystem

• Using data to describe system’s strengths 

and gaps in the service area, and long-term 

economic and demographic impacts from 

SUD

• Describing organizational capacity

•Identifying economic and workforce-related 

challenges

BJ
arc.gov

Strategic Alignment

Align proposed project with the following elements:

• ARC Strategic Plan, Investing in Appalachia’s Future: ARC’s Five-Year Strategic Plan 

for Capitalizing on Appalachia’s Opportunities 2016–2021, Goal 2: Ready Workforce: 

Improve the education, knowledge, skills, and health of residents to work and 

succeed in Appalachia. • ARC State Plan(s)

• If a project includes ARC counties from more than one state, applicants need to 

demonstrate how the proposed project aligns with each ARC State Plan, specifically 

how the project supports a ready workforce.

• To find information on all 13 ARC State Plans, please visit www.arc.gov/SUD

• The needs of businesses, including organizations that provide wraparound services 

for those in recovery

. • Describe how the proposal aligns with the needs of businesses, including 

organizations that provide wraparound services for those in recovery.

BJ
arc.gov

Additionally, 

applicants must 

submit the following 

documentation:

• Letter(s) from local businesses 

or business groups expressing a 

need or labor market analyses 

conducted by federal or state 

sources. For example, a letter 

from a chamber of commerce 

would suffice as 

documentation.

BJ
Strategic Partnerships

Jen
arc.gov

Importance of Partnerships

• Break down traditional silos to create 

transformative change

• Extend reach among target populations

• Provide multiple perspectives to support creative 

problem-solving

• Improve project and organizational sustainability

• Establish community-based approaches
arc.gov

Build Project 

Team of New 

and Existing 

Partners from 

the Recovery 

Ecosystem

Can include:

• Health providers

• Law enforcement, court systems

• Education providers

• Employers

• Labor Unions

• Faith-based organizations

• Community-based non-profits

PRO-Tip: Do not ignore existing 

community recovery ecosystem 

coalitions
arc.gov

Identifyin

g New 

Partners

• Existing partners

• Partners of your partners

• State ARC Program Managers 

(Hint: they know everyone)

• Other state/federal/local 

funders

Jen
Pro Tip: Be strategic. 

Partnerships should be 

meaningful.

Jen
Pro Tip: Do not overcommit 

project budget to too many 

partners.

Jen
arc.gov

At least 3 

Letters of 

Engagement 

from Partners

Clearly define roles:

• Matching funds commitment

• Project team

• Key activities

• Level of engagement

• Type of organization
Pro Tips:

Avoid 100% form letters at all costs!

Letters must be on official letterhead

No need for letters to extend beyond a 

page
Performance Measures

RVH
It’s 2025. Your INSPIRE grant 

is complete. You know your 

project is successful because 

_______________________.

RVH
arc.gov

Outputs and Outcomes

Outputs = grant activities

Examples: products, services, trainings; number of participants served

Outcomes = result of grant activities

Examples: participant accomplishments, changes, improvements

RVH
arc.gov

Implementation grants must include: 

Required Outputs and Outcomes - Implementation

Output Outcome Note

Businesses served Businesses improved Larger talent pool

Workers/trainees 

served

and/or

Students served

Workers/trainees 

improved

and/or

Students improved

Improvement = 

• Obtain new/improved 

employment opportunities

• Retain employment 

Additional performance measures should be 

identified. 

Examples:

• Jobs created

• Businesses created

• Participants served/improved

• Patients served/improved

RVH
arc.gov

Defining Beneficiaries

Beneficiary Definition

Workers/

trainees

Enrolled in programs that do not lead to a diploma or degree and 

are (typically) non-credit

Students Enrolled in credit programs that lead to a certificate or diploma

Participants Participate in one-time or short-term events, including 

conferences and workshops, where tracking the acquisition of 

employment or other high-impact outcomes is not realistic

Patients Receiving treatment with equipment or programming purchased 

with an ARC investment

RVH
arc.gov

Incomplete

An opioid recovery training project will serve 400 people and 

improve 400 people.

Better:

An opioid recovery training project will serve 400 workers 

through classes and workshops and will improve 100 workers as 

measured by employment attainment or completion of training 

certificates. Fifty of the 100 workers improved will be 

permanently employed and 50 will continue in the training 

program (three years after project completion).

RVH

Example

RVH
Required Outputs and Outcomes - Planning

Planning grants must include:

• Plans/reports (output)

RVH
Logic Model

RVH
arc.gov

Logic Model – Left Side

Inputs

Staff

Supplies

Curricula

Equipment

Outputs

Activities Participation

Develop/implement curricula

Training

Conduct career readiness 

workshops

Form a task force

Wrap around services

Job placement services

Workers/trainees served

Students served

Participants served

Businesses served
arc.gov

Logic Model – Right Side

Outcomes - Impact

Short Medium Long

Enroll workers/trainees in training 

program

Students obtain certificates and/or 

pass required degree courses

Participants (e.g. human resource 

managers, supervisors, CEOs, etc.) 

attend workshops designed to 

increase their awareness of substance 

use disorder issues/topics affecting 

their workplaces and/or respective 

communities

Workers/trainees improved (the 

number of workers/trainees who 

obtain a job)

Students improved (the number of 

students who attain a diploma or 

degree)

Participants improved (the number 

of participants who gain a greater 

awareness of SUD-related 

issues/topics)

Businesses improved (increase in 

workers’ skillsets)

Increase in revenue (taxes) generated 

by counties/towns as a result of 

increased employment

Decrease in employee turnover rates 

as a result of participants' ability to 

detect early signs of SUD and provide 

support

Increase in a company’s productivity 

as a result hiring highly skilled 

workers

Increase of a skilled labor force in a 

county/region
It’s 2025. Your INSPIRE grant 

is complete. You know your 

project is successful because 

_______________________.

RVH
Budget

October 13, 2020

Jeff
What are the 

needs?

Establish the 

outcomes

Design your 

program

Determine your 

budget

Identify match: 

Amount and 

sources
What are the 

needs?

Establish the 

outcomes

Design your 

program

Identify match: 

Amount and 

sources

Determine your 

budget
arc.gov

6. OBJECT CLASS CATEGORIES (1) State Dept of Xyz (2) Beta Foundation (3) USDA-RD (4) ARC (5)

 a. Personnel $ $20,000 $20,000

b. Fringe Benefits $5,000 $5,000

c. Travel

d. Equipment $30,000 $30,000

e. Supplies $50,000 $50,000

f. Contractual $100,000 $100,000

g. Construction

h. Other

i. Total Direct Charges (sum of 6a-6h)

j. Indirect Charges est.

k. TOTALS (sum of 6i and 6j) $25,000 $30,000 $100,000 $50,000 $205,000

Budgets

• Budget

• Detailed budget

• Budget narrative

Be all inclusive

Always use the 

same numbers

SECTION B - BUDGET CATEGORIES

GRANT PROGRAM, FUNCTION OR ACTIVITY Total

6. OBJECT CLASS CATEGORIES (1) ARC (2) Match (3) (4) (5)

 a. Personnel $ $20,000 $20,000

b. Fringe Benefits $5,000 $5,000

c. Travel

d. Equipment $30,000 $30,000

e. Supplies $50,000 $50,000

f. Contractual $100,000 $100,000

g. Construction

h. Other

i. Total Direct Charges (sum of 6a-6h)

j. Indirect Charges est.

k. TOTALS (sum of 6i and 6j) $50,000 $155,000 $0 $0 $205,000

Sample Budgets
Detailed Budget

Chief bottle washer – 100 hours x $15/hour = $1,500

Main messer up – 20 hours x $32/hour = $640

Primary problem fixer – 240 hours x $27.50 = $6,600

Assistant problem fixers (3) x 200 hours x $15/hour = $9,000

Big boss $45,200 @ 5% $2,260

SUBTOTAL PERSONNEL $20,000

6. OBJECT CLASS CATEGORIES (1) State Dept of Xyz (2) Beta Foundation (3) USDA-RD (4) ARC (5)

 a. Personnel $ $20,000 $20,000

b. Fringe Benefits $5,000 $5,000

c. Travel

d. Equipment $30,000 $30,000

e. Supplies $50,000 $50,000

f. Contractual $100,000 $100,000

g. Construction

h. Other

i. Total Direct Charges (sum of 6a-6h)

j. Indirect Charges est.

k. TOTALS (sum of 6i and 6j) $25,000 $30,000 $100,000 $50,000 $205,000

EQUIPMENT – 1 big metal thing $30,000

Toolkits for workers 10 @ $3,500 + $35,000

Computers – 10 Gamma V laptops (or equivalent) @ $1,250 =

$12,250

General office supplies (paper, pens, ink, telephones) $12,750

SUBTOTAL SUPPLIES $50,000
Budget Narrative

6. OBJECT CLASS CATEGORIES (1) State Dept of Xyz (2) Beta Foundation (3) USDA-RD (4) ARC (5)

 a. Personnel $ $20,000 $20,000

b. Fringe Benefits $5,000 $5,000

c. Travel

d. Equipment $30,000 $30,000

e. Supplies $50,000 $50,000

f. Contractual $100,000 $100,000

g. Construction

h. Other

i. Total Direct Charges (sum of 6a-6h)

j. Indirect Charges est.

k. TOTALS (sum of 6i and 6j) $25,000 $30,000 $100,000 $50,000 $205,000

EQUIPMENT – 1 big metal thing $30,000

Used to purify and dehumidify widgets for custom applications 

Toolkits for workers 10 @ $3,500 + $35,000

Specialized tools essential to maintain big metal thing regularly 

Computers – 10 Gamma V laptops (or equivalent) @ $1,250 =

$12,250
What are the 

needs?

Establish the 

outcomes

Design your 

program

Determine your 

budget

Identify match: 

Amount and 

sources
arc.gov

What is match?

 Funds that contribute to overall 

project costs

 Required for all ARC projects

 Shows the level of other 

resources going into a project, 

showing a diverse base of 

support – in terms of showing 

financial support as well as 

showing collaboration to 

demonstrate that other partners 

support your mission

Example: Project budget, sources 

of funds

State Funds: $155,000 (50.8%)

ARC: $150,000 (49.2%)

Total: $305,000 (100%) 
arc.gov

What are acceptable 

forms of match? 

• Cash

• Loans

• In-kind

• Land or property 

• Equipment

• Services

What is match? What acceptable sources of 

match?

• Other federal

• State

• Local

• Government

• Private

• Foundations

PRO TIP: Other federal dollars may have 

some restrictions. Check with ARC 

first if using.
Guide for describing match

• Identify each source and type of funding

• Include letters of commitment for each funding source, 

citing the specific amount (and type) of funds committed.

• Provide descriptions of specific in-kind resources, 

including the methods used to determine their value. 

• If match includes donated 

land or buildings, provide 

an MAI appraisal

Funder Amount Status Source Type

State Dept

of Xyz

$25,000 Committed State Grant

Beta 

Foundation

$30,000 Committed Private Grant

USDA-RD $100,000 Committed Federal Loan

ARC $50,000 Pending Federal Grant

The school PTA will provide the labor to clear and pave 

the walking/running trail. A local contractor provided 

an estimate of $12,000 to do this same work.

Alpha Beta Car Dealer will provide an Epsilon IV for the 

use of the project for two years. The Epsilon IV, as 

equipped, leases for $850 per month x 24 months 

yields an in-kind value of $20,400.
arc.gov

Letters Documenting Match

• Will be required if selected for funding

• Content –

• Best on letterhead or official document

• Includes dollar amount committed

• Includes nature and value of in-kind contribution

• Signature
arc.gov

Letters Documenting Match

Match –

• Best on letterhead or official document

• Includes dollar amount committed

• Includes nature and value of in-kind contribution

• Signature
Verify that the match rate for the counties served is accurate.

https://www.arc.gov/county-economic-status-and-distressed-areas-by- state-fy-2021/

For multi-county projects with more than one ARC county designation (i.e., distressed, transitional, at-risk, competitive, etc.), contact the state ARC Program Manager (https://www.arc.gov/state_partner_role/state- program-manager/) for assistance

Project Location ARC/Match

Distressed County 80/20

At-Risk County 70/30

Transitional County 50/50

Competitive County 30/70

Attainment County 00/100

Calculating match
arc.gov

•Required forms and information

• Submit SF-424 form

• Submit SF-424a form

• System for Award 

Management (SAM) 

number

• Data Universal Number 

System (DUNS) number 

• https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms

/sf-424-family.html

• https://www.arc.gov/sud/

• https://www.arc.gov/sud/

• PRO TIP: Do NOT pay anyone for these services!
Question & Answer 

RVH