Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program (COAP)

Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program (COAP) Overview

Signed into law on July 22, 2016, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) is the first major federal substance abuse treatment and recovery legislation in 40 years and the most comprehensive legislative effort to address the opioid epidemic. CARA establishes a comprehensive, coordinated, and balanced strategy through enhanced grant programs that encompass prevention and education efforts, effective responses to those affected by substance abuse, and services for treatment and recovery from addiction. The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program (COAP) was developed as part of the CARA legislation. COAP’s purpose is to provide financial and technical assistance to states, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to plan, develop, and implement comprehensive efforts to identify, respond to, treat, and support those impacted by the opioid epidemic.

Program-specific Information

The opioid crisis is a public health emergency that threatens the welfare of individuals who abuse drugs and impacts the safety of communities. The opioid epidemic is impacting first responders, the criminal justice system, child welfare and foster care, and behavioral health systems. Responding to this epidemic is one of the Department’s top priorities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016, there were more than 63,600 drug overdose deaths in the United States, mostly from opioids. The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths in 2016 (19.8 per 100,000) was 21 percent higher than the rate in 2015 (16.3per 100,000)2. These numbers are alarming, yet they only capture one tragic element of the epidemic—drug overdose deaths. The consequences are vast and serious and reach far beyond one person, extending to their children and families. Many factors can stem from, as well as lead to, addiction, including poverty and economic instability; a range of physical, mental, and behavioral health ailments; decreased ability to parent and care for children; and trauma, exposure to violence, and victimization.

In response to this epidemic, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program is designed to support our nation’s first responders and provide for the needs of crime victims; support diversion programs for non-violent individuals who abuse illicit and prescription opioids; implement and enhance prescription drug monitoring programs; promote cross-system planning and coordination of service delivery; and reduce the incidence of fatal overdoses associated with opioid use. Responses to the opioid epidemic and proposed projects must be comprehensive and address the needs of the individual who is abusing drugs, as well as any children and loved ones who may be experiencing trauma, violence, and victimization.

Statutory Authority

The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program was authorized by the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA) (Public Law 114–198) and codified at 34 U.S.C. 10701 and Pub. L. No. 116-6, 133 Stat 13, 114.

Objectives and Deliverables

The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program aims to reduce opioid abuse and the number of overdose fatalities, as well as to mitigate the impacts on crime victims by supporting comprehensive, collaborative initiatives. Grant funds are to be used to implement comprehensive policies and practices that assist units of local government as well as units of local law enforcements. Subawards will provide financial support to localities or regions/local jurisdictions to implement strategies that support treatment and recovery service engagement; provide prevention and education programs for youth; increase the use of diversion or family court programming; and/or reduce the incidence of overdose death. Propose COAP projects must align with the approved Statewide Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Strategic Plan and/or other federal/state recommended guidelines.

Statewide Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Strategic Plan

Click Here for Statewide Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Strategic Plan

Eligible Entities

Eligible entities are municipalities, counties, and local jurisdictions in Arkansas. COAP funds are designated to support the local criminal justice components (i.e. local law enforcement departments and/or units) to combat the opioid crisis within their perspective jurisdiction.

Request for Application (RFA) COAP Category 2 – Open For Submission

Request For Application (RFA) Submission:                        September 1 – 30, 2020
RFA Due Date:                                                                         On or before September 30, 2020
Maximum Number of subawards expected to make:           Up to 4
Subaward amount (Maximum):                                              Up to $570,000*
Project start date (Tentative):                                                 On or before November 1, 2020
Overall Project period duration:                                             20 - 24 Months

*The subaward maximum amount is for two funding cycles, the initial period and a continuation period

Request for Application (RFA) COAP Category 4 - Open

Request For Application (RFA) Submission:                           August 3 to September 7, 2020
RFA Workshop Development-Zoom Conference                    Thursday, August 13, 2020
RFA Due Date:                                                                             Monday, September 7, 2020
Maximum number of subawards expected to make:              Up to 25
Anticipated subaward amounts:                                               $50,000
Performance period start date:                                                  November 1, 2020
Performance period duration:                                                    9 - 12 Months

Click Here For RFA and Forms