February 23, 2022
The New York Department of State today announced the availability of $10 million in grants through an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) initiative to address the substance abuse crisis by creating or expanding a recovery ecosystem leading to workforce entry or re-entry. The funds will be channeled through the INvestments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) for program implementation grants up to $500,000 and planning grants up to $50,000 for projects serving the 14 counties within New York’s federally-designated Appalachian Region.
“New York is committed to helping the many individuals and families struggling with substance abuse recover and rebuild their lives,” said Robert J. Rodriguez, New York State Acting Secretary of State. “This latest round of $10 million INSPIRE investments will not only help build a stronger workforce but help contribute to the rehabilitation of individuals throughout the Appalachian region. I encourage all groups who are eligible for this transformative grant opportunity to apply.”
ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin said, “The substance use disorder epidemic is a community problem that requires a community solution. Our INSPIRE Initiative promotes a fluid continuum of rehabilitation—to training, to work, to career—which ultimately connects all aspects of the community and provides hope, purpose, and support to these individuals.”
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, “This initiative will have a great impact on the livelihoods of individuals living in recovery in the Appalachian Region. It will also encourage employers to create and sustain Recovery Friendly Workplaces, and provide them with opportunities to receive Recovery Friendly Workplace Tax Credits to reduce their tax burden.”
Successful INSPIRE grant applications should demonstrate the potential for individuals in recovery to obtain and maintain stable employment, with a focus on contributing to and expanding a strong recovery ecosystem of support services and training opportunities that lead to successful entry and re-entry into the workforce. Proposals may also include expanded community- and partnership-based approaches to establish stronger coordination among recovery and training services, as well as strategies to integrate plans with existing state and regional economic development activities.
Proposed project activities may include multiple partners from one or more ARC-member states but must be focused within the Appalachian Region. In New York, projects should be focused within the any of the following 14 counties:
- Southern Tier West: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua
- Southern Tier Central: Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben
- Southern Tier Eight: Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Tioga, Tompkins
Eligible applicants for ARC’s INSPIRE Initiative grants include:
- States, counties, cities, or other political subdivisions, including a special purpose unit of a state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions
- Local development districts (LDD)
- Indian tribes or a consortium of Indian tribes
- Institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education
- Public or private non-profit organizations or associations
The Request for Proposals (RFP) can be viewed or downloaded here: Letters of Intent to apply for INSPIRE grants must be submitted by March 3, 2022. Final applications are due March 24, 2022, 5pm (ET). Additional information and resources are available at https://www.arc.gov/sud-how-to-apply/.
An informational workshop for prospective applicants will be held on February 24, 2022. Registration information for the workshop is available at: https://www.airmeet.com/e/47bc8220-7ad2-11ec-b72b-f99aa128114c.
The ARC (www.arc.gov) is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region (https://www.arc.gov/appalachian-counties-served-by-arc/), ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
New York’s 14 county ARC Program is administered within the DOS Division of Local Government Services and is assisted at the local level by the region’s three LDDs. For more information on programs administered by the Department of State’s Division of Local Government Services, go to https://dos.ny.gov/services-and-support. Follow DOS on Twitter at @NYSDOS or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkDepartmentOfState/.
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