Applications for this grant opportunity have now closed.

The Ministry of Health has released a grant opportunity for non-government organisations (NGOs) and Aboriginal controlled community organisations (ACCOs) to deliver case management, counselling and support services to people exiting correctional centres who are at risk of AOD-related harm.

The grants are one of a suite of health initiatives from the NSW Government Response to the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug Ice.

  • Applications open: 3 April 2023
  • Applications close: 29 May 2023 at 5pm
  • Last date for questions: 19 May 2023 at 5pm
  • Last posting date for answers to questions: 22 May 2023 at 5pm
  • Administered by: Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs, NSW Ministry of Health
  • Type of grant: Open competitive
  • Submit applications and questions to: moh-caod-sci@health.nsw.gov.au

A total amount of $8 million over four years is available for NGOs and ACCOs to deliver case management and support services to people released from custody who have a history of harmful AOD use or are at risk of AOD-related harm. Successful applicants will be contracted through a NSW Health Grant Agreement for a period of up to four years.

Grant objectives

The Post-Custodial Support Grants aim to address the significant unmet need for support for people leaving custody who have a history of harmful AOD use. The Grants seek to improve access to support services so that more people released from custody can get high quality support and AOD treatment when they leave custody. The objective is to reduce relapses, overdoses and reoffending and to improve health and wellbeing.

The Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAOD) is seeking to engage applicants with suitable service models, experience, capability and skills to deliver services that meet the Clinical Care Standards: Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment and AOD NGO Service Specification Guideline requirements. Successful applicants will be required to achieve outcomes outlined in a funding contract and demonstrate performance against agreed measures. The main grant objectives include:

  • Increasing client health and wellbeing and reducing risk of harms from AOD
  • Increasing access to health and social services in the community including those associated with cultural and social determinants of health (housing, employment, training, welfare support, connection to country and community)
  • Improving access to post-custodial support for people at risk of harmful AOD use across NSW, including in rural and regional areas
  • Increasing access to AOD support services provided by peer workers
  • Reducing the risk of suicide and overdose and decreased offending behaviour
  • Reducing family, community and societal costs associated with harmful AOD use and reoffending in the post-release period

The Grant opportunity has two separate streams:

  • Stream 1: Registered ACCOs are invited to apply for grants of up to $300,000 per organisation per annum (with a maximum total allocation for this stream of $600,000 per annum)
  • Stream 2: NGOs and ACCOs are invited to apply for larger grants of $300,001 to $1 million per organisation per annum

Total funding will not exceed $2 million per annum.

Individual ACCOs may submit applications to both streams, however only one grant will be awarded to any organisation. If applying to both streams please indicate a preference.

This two-stream approach has been taken to support service provision by ACCOs and enhance culturally safe support for Aboriginal clients. This aligns with Priority Reform 2 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, with its commitment to increasing funding for ACCOs as a means of improving outcomes for Aboriginal people. Stream 1 will have a streamlined application process to reduce administrative burdens as is appropriate for smaller grants.

Stream

Funds available
per grant stream annually

Minimum funding
per grant annually

Maximum funding
per grant annually
1Up to $600,000N/A$300,000
2$1,400,000$300,001$1,000,000

Key elements of the proposed support will include culturally safe through-care (for up to 3 months pre-release from custody and up to 12 months post-release), assessment, counselling, case management and supported access to health and social services.

Desired principles of care will be trauma-informed integrated practice, culturally safe, housing first approach, collaborative, holistic and person-centred care.

Criteria to address will include:

  • Evidence of experience in providing services for the target population and demonstrated understanding of the complex needs of this cohort
  • A well-developed, evidence-based model of care
  • Demonstrated track record of treatment and/or support for people at risk of AOD-related harm
  • Clear articulation of clinical governance framework
  • Perspectives of people with a lived experience of AOD and/or criminal justice system clearly incorporated into the program design and delivery
  • Staffing mix appropriate to meet the needs of the client group and provide leadership to team members
  • A description of supports for, and collaboration with, clients’ family/carers/significant others
  • Aboriginal Health Impact Statement and commitment to workplace cultural safety
  • Demonstrated evidence of ability to collaborate with custodial health services, local health and community services, including local health districts/specialty health networks and local Aboriginal Community Controlled Services

How to apply for the Grants

Step 1. Confirm eligibility

Organisations applying must be non-government, not-for profit, incorporated and accredited. Organisations that do not meet the eligibility criteria in Schedule B will not progress to assessment against the standard and specific treatment package requirements.

Step 2. Prepare the application

Organisations are encouraged to seek support to prepare grant applications if needed; this may include referring to grant application resources and toolkits, speaking with your peak body about current best practice and evidence, or partnering with other organisations and agencies. When seeking support, it is important to note that specific grant questions can only be answered by the Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs, NSW Ministry of Health.

Step 3. Submit the application

Organisations may submit applications anytime from the opening date of 3 April 2023 to the application closing date of 5 pm 29 May 2023. Applications must be submitted via email with subject line 'Post-Custodial Support Grants' to moh-caod-sci@health.nsw.gov.au.

The Ministry of Health will provide confirmation of each received application via return email to the applying organisation. Organisations that do not receive confirmation of receipt of application are to consider the application incomplete and are responsible for contacting the Ministry of Health.

Note: Proposed service models and activities must align with the NSW Health Clinical Care Standards: Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment and meet the activity descriptions and requirements of the NSW Health AOD NGO Service Specification Guideline.

The principal contact for the AOD Post Custodial Support Grants is Tanya Bosch, Manager Strategic Projects, Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs, NSW Ministry of Health MOH-CAOD-SCI@health.nsw.gov.au

All enquiries will be responded to through public question and answer documents on this page:

  • Last date for questions: 5pm 19 May 2023
  • Last posting date for answers to questions: 5pm 22 May 2023

This grant opportunity has been notified through the NSW Health AOD NGO Newsletter, subscribe to MOH-AOD@health.nsw.gov.au and on the NSW Government - Grants and Funding Finder.


Current as at: Tuesday 20 June 2023
Contact page owner: Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs