Enhance the Quality of Treatment Services through Training Treatment Providers Workforce | OFOP0001150

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity about?

This opportunity is a U.S. Department of State (Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, INL) discretionary cooperative agreement to support a project in Mexico that improves the quality of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in residential (in-patient) treatment centers by strengthening and professionalizing the workforce.

2) What problem is the project trying to solve?

The solicitation describes a service gap in Mexico: outpatient care has historically been prioritized, but growing synthetic drug use is increasing the need for accessible, well-run residential services. The project is intended to ensure residential programs can deliver sustainable, evidence-based care by investing in staff training and capacity building.

3) Why does the opportunity emphasize residential (in-patient) treatment centers?

Because the rise in synthetic drug use is increasing the need for residential treatment options. INL is signaling that expanding availability is not enough; residential services also need to be safe, effective, and rights-respecting to be truly accessible and beneficial.

4) What are the main goals of the grant?

The core goals presented are to improve treatment quality in residential centers, strengthen quality assurance, increase consistent adoption of evidence-based treatment policies and practices, and ensure treatment is dignified, respectful, and inclusive, particularly for vulnerable or marginalized groups.

5) What does INL mean by focusing on “quality” and “quality assurance”?

Based on the description, “quality” goes beyond expanding services. It includes having safeguards and patient-centered standards, accountability mechanisms, and consistent evidence-based practices that reduce harms and improve outcomes, especially in the context of synthetic drugs.

6) What kind of activities does the project expect the recipient to carry out?

The selected implementer is expected to partner with State Human Rights Commissions and state Judiciaries to develop and implement a training curriculum for the workforce in residential treatment centers, with a specific focus on human rights and quality assurance.

7) What is the required training focus?

The training focus is explicitly described as human rights and quality assurance. The solicitation indicates the curriculum should help establish safeguards, patient-centered standards, and accountability mechanisms, and discourage abusive, discriminatory, stigmatizing, or non-evidence-based practices.

8) Is the project only about clinical training?

No. While it relates to treatment services, the described emphasis is not limited to clinical competencies. The curriculum is expected to include human rights and quality assurance elements that promote respectful care, inclusion, and accountability.

9) Which groups does the opportunity indicate may need better inclusion or protections?

The solicitation notes that some vulnerable groups are often marginalized or receive treatment that does not match their needs, including through inappropriate practices, stigmatizing approaches, or exclusion from care. The project is intended to raise standards so services are inclusive and respectful of patients’ rights.

10) Where in Mexico is the project expected to operate?

The project is designed to operate in states connected to INL-funded Therapeutic Justice programming and emphasizes collaboration with state-level institutions.

11) What partnerships are emphasized in the solicitation?

The selected implementer is expected to collaborate with State Human Rights Commissions and state Judiciaries to develop and implement the training curriculum for residential treatment center staff.

12) How does this opportunity relate to “Therapeutic Justice” programming?

The project is expected to operate in states tied to INL-funded Therapeutic Justice programming, and the activity category is aligned with law, justice, and legal services. The description suggests INL is prioritizing treatment models compatible with broader justice-sector reforms in Mexico.

13) What is the funding instrument for this award?

The award instrument is a cooperative agreement.

14) What does “cooperative agreement” imply for implementation?

The solicitation notes that a cooperative agreement generally means INL anticipates substantial involvement during implementation compared to a standard grant.

15) What is the maximum funding amount available?

The funding ceiling listed is $450,000.

16) How many awards will be made?

One award is expected.

17) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is OFOP0001150.

18) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.704.

19) What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?

The activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services.

20) When was the opportunity posted and what was the application deadline?

The opportunity was posted on June 16, 2023, with an original application deadline of August 16, 2023.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as “Others,” with further clarification referenced in the full notice. Applicants are expected to verify the organizational eligibility requirements in the detailed eligibility section of the official announcement.

22) What kind of organization is this opportunity looking for?

Based on the description, INL is looking for an organization capable of designing a credible, rights-respecting training program; coordinating with human rights and judicial actors; and delivering workforce development that results in measurable improvements in residential treatment quality.

23) What does the solicitation say about evidence-based practices?

Evidence-based care is a repeated priority. The intended result includes more consistent adoption of evidence-based treatment policies and practices across residential centers, in ways that improve outcomes and reduce harms associated with synthetic drugs.

24) How is patient dignity and rights addressed in the project design?

The opportunity explicitly states that services must be safe, effective, and respectful of patients’ rights. The training focus on human rights and quality assurance is positioned as a way to prevent abusive, discriminatory, stigmatizing, or exclusionary practices and to standardize dignified, respectful care.

25) What is meant by making improvements “sustainable” after the project ends?

The solicitation indicates the intent is to professionalize and standardize treatment delivery so improvements remain in place after the project ends, implying durable changes to workforce competencies, standards, and accountability mechanisms rather than short-term service expansion.