SUBG, SOR, and TOR grants help states, governmental agencies, and tribal communities create and deliver services to prevent and combat SUD.

Federal Grants Help States Fund Critical SUD Recovery Initiative

ByCHESS Health

States, governmental agencies, and tribal communities across the nation are using federal grant funds to implement innovative programs to address the devastating substance use disorder (SUD) crisis. Three key programs, Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services Block Grants (SUBG),  State Opioid Response (SOR), and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grants are designed to help states and tribal communities create and deliver services to prevent, treat, and support recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) and SUDs of all types, including alcohol and stimulants. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administers the programs.

Key Features of Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grants

The objective of the SUBG program is to plan, implement, and evaluate activities that prevent and treat SUDs and other addictions. 

SUBG program funding targets: 

  • Pregnant women with dependent children
  • Injection drug users
  • Tuberculosis services
  • Early intervention services for HIV/AIDS
  • Primary prevention services

SUBG funding mandates that 20% of funds must be spent on primary prevention strategies. Those who receive grants must create a primary prevention program that targets the general population and sub-groups at high risk for SUD. The program must include, but is not limited to:

  • The distribution of information that provides information about SUD prevention, treatment programs, and services.
  • Opportunities for individuals to learn more about SUD, including interaction between facilitators and participants.
  • Alternative healthy activities for target populations to keep them away from drug and alcohol use. 
  • Identification and referral of people who may be on track to develop a SUD problem to assess whether education could change their behavior.
  • Community-based networking activities and technical assistance to community groups or agencies.
  • Environmental factors that establish or change community standards and attitudes about the use of drugs and alcohol.

Key Features of State Opioid Response Grants

The State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program was developed to enhance the capacity of state and local governments to provide effective, evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals affected by opioid use disorders (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD). Some key activities that these funds can support include:

  • Expansion of treatment services
  • Prevention efforts
  • Recovery support services
  • Integration of services with a focus on support linkages of care with a specific emphasis on collaboration, coordination, and comprehensive support
  • Harm reduction
  • Data collection, monitoring, and evaluation
  • Workforce development
  • Community engagement and coalition building

Key Features of Tribal Opioid Response Grants

The Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) program is designed to support American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities in addressing the opioid crisis. Recognizing the unique challenges tribal populations face, the TOR program provides funding to enhance prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services specifically tailored for these communities. 

Funds awarded through the TOR program can be used for a variety of activities aimed at addressing opioid use disorders and related issues, including:

  • Prevention programs targeting opioid misuse
  • Treatment services specifically for opioid use disorders, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)/Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
  • Recovery support services, such as peer support programs and life skills training
  • Harm reduction strategies, including naloxone distribution to prevent overdoses
  • Workforce development to train healthcare providers in evidence-based practices for treating substance use disorders

How SUBG, SOR, and TOR Grants Can Be Used to Fund Innovative Solutions to Address the SUD Crisis

  • Contingency Management Interventions. Contingency management, a behavioral intervention that provides reinforcements and rewards for taking specific positive actions, is a permissible use of SUBG,  SOR, and TOR funds. In fact, a 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommending contingency management programs for SUD treatment notes that grants are the primary funding source for this innovative, effective treatment. The report encourages the expansion of high-quality, evidence-based contingency management programs to address the devastating impacts of the SUD crisis. 
  • Peer Recovery Support Services. Both SUBG, SOR, and TOR grants can be used to support peer recovery support services. In a 2024 report, SAMHSA outlines the positive impact of peer recovery support, which is defined as social support services delivered by individuals with lived SUD experience. The report notes that individuals who receive peer recovery services are more likely to stay engaged with their recovery and less likely to experience recurrence. 
  • Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). Programs that qualify for SUBG funds must have a component that identifies and refers people who may be on track to develop a SUD problem to assess whether education could change their behavior. Additionally, both the SOR and TOR programs promote the use of evidence-based practices that facilitate the early identification of individuals at risk for or affected by substance use disorders. 
  • Access to Educational Materials. Grant funds can be applied toward educational efforts that lead to greater awareness and knowledge of the dangers and extent of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use, including addiction, and their effects on individuals, families, and communities. Digital technologies can ensure that individuals have 24/7 access to educational materials and other learning tools, such as self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) lessons. 
  • Care Coordination and Linkages to Care. Both SOR and TOR grants play a vital role in enhancing care coordination and facilitating linkages to care for individuals experiencing substance use disorders. Grants can be used to facilitate the integration of substance use disorder treatment with primary healthcare providers, mental health services, and social support resources, ensuring that individuals receive personalized holistic care and experience smooth transitions between care and support. These grants can support the systems that enable data sharing and effective communication between providers, which is crucial for tracking patient progress and ensuring continuity of care.
  • Counseling and Community. Encouraging growth in self-help and life and social skills is critical to successful SUD treatment interventions, but these essential resources are not always readily available to everyone. Individuals face a variety of barriers to access, including a lack of local resources in remote and rural locations, concerns about maintaining anonymity, or struggles with anxiety or introversion. Employing digital technologies helps mitigate these barriers, making essential support services and virtual meetings available to anyone, anywhere. 
  • Meeting Diverse Needs of At-Risk Populations. The SOR and SUBG programs are essential in addressing the unique needs of at-risk populations affected by substance use disorders. These grants focus on providing targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, including individuals with co-occurring disorders, pregnant and postpartum women, youth, justice-involved populations, veterans, LGBTQ+, families and caregivers, and those in rural or underserved communities. The Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grants are specifically designed to support American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities in addressing the opioid crisis. By facilitating access to tailored treatment options and support services, these programs create a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, early intervention, and ongoing care. Furthermore, the grants promote collaboration among healthcare providers, social services, and community organizations, enhancing the ability to reach and engage these populations effectively while ensuring continuity of care throughout their recovery journey. Through data-driven strategies, the programs aim to identify and address barriers to accessibility, ultimately improving health outcomes for those in high-risk situations.

CHESS Health Solutions Meet Federal Funding Requirements

When states and governmental agencies seek to introduce innovative programs utilizing SUBG, SOR, and TOR grant funds, they frequently partner with CHESS Health for evidence-based solutions. By leveraging CHESS Health’s digital technologies, states, agencies, and tribal communities can effectively launch and manage new programs. This often results in streamlined workflows and enhanced overall efficiency, without requiring additional staff. 

Furthermore, CHESS Health’s suite of digital solutions directly supports these initiatives, effectively addressing the key requirements of SUBG, SOR, and TOR grants. Here’s how CHESS Health’s solutions align with these essential criteria.

  • Contingency Management Interventions: eRecovery’s Rewards Engine provides an automated, customizable, digitally delivered rewards engine for efficient, streamlined contingency management programs.
  • Peer Recovery Support Services: eRecovery’s Connections app delivers evidence-based, peer-supported digital recovery support that fills critical gaps in care. Peers moderate an online community, facilitate virtual support meetings, and monitor and respond to requests for crisis support 24/7. 
  • SBIRT: ePrevention includes a digital SBIRT module that features a custom rules engine that personalizes recommendations based on individual responses. Automated, digital delivery through a web link or QR code removes multiple barriers, allowing more people to be screened in a consistent manner without the burden of stigma or anxiety that can come when answering screening questions in an in-person setting. Preserving the anonymity of individuals at this stage increases the odds that they will answer the questions honestly. Our digital SBIRT solution simplifies the process of referrals to treatment.
  • Access to Educational Materials: Both eRecovery apps, Connections and Companion, offer comprehensive educational resources. Connections delivers digital CBT modules and coping and recovery skills resources for individuals in recovery. Companion supplies resources for family and caregivers to navigate a loved one’s recovery support journey and promote their own self-care.   
  • Care Coordination and Linkages to Care: eIntervention optimizes care coordination through a closed-loop referral system that connects individuals to essential services for substance use disorders, mental health and social determinants of health, facilitating vital linkages to care.
  • Community and Counseling: Both eRecovery apps, Connections and Companion, feature moderated online communities available 24/7. Connections supports individuals with SUD and common co-occurring mental health conditions; Companion is for families and loved ones. Within Connections, a dedicated team of peer recovery support specialists facilitates and bolsters community engagement. 
  • Meeting the Needs of Diverse Populations: ePrevention’s screenings are available in English and Spanish and screening can be culturally adopted to meet the needs of specific populations. eRecovery’s Connections app offers an English and Spanish user interface, supported by bilingual peer specialists. It also provides virtual meetings and resources tailored for specific populations, including youth, LGBTQ+, veterans, women, and justice-involved individuals.

Success Stories: Partnering for Impact on SUD Recovery

CHESS Health’s strategic partnerships have led to tangible results for many public sector partners, showcasing how collaborative efforts can drive significant improvements in treatment and recovery services. 

  • Oklahoma and West Virginia are using SOR funding for statewide implementations of prevention, care coordination, closed-loop referral, and recovery support services.   
  • SUBG funding supports the statewide implementation of various services in North Carolina.
  • TOR grants are funding enhanced recovery support initiatives for Choctaw Nation Behavioral Health, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Forest County Potawatomi, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, and White Cloud Indian Health Services.

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