Targeted Capacity Expansion Substance Abuse Treatment for Racial/Ethnic Minority Women at High Risk for HIV/AIDS (TCE HIV Minority Women) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the FY 2013 TCE HIV Minority Women grant opportunity?

It is a SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) discretionary services grant called "Targeted Capacity Expansion Substance Abuse Treatment for Racial/Ethnic Minority Women at High Risk for HIV/AIDS (TCE HIV Minority Women)." The purpose is to rapidly expand on-the-ground substance use treatment and prevention capacity in communities where HIV disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority women.

2) What is the core purpose of this program?

The core purpose is to reduce HIV infection and transmission by addressing substance use disorders and related behavioral and social factors that increase HIV risk. The program is intended to integrate behavioral health treatment with HIV-related prevention, testing, and linkage to care.

3) Who is the target population?

The program focuses on women ages 18 and older who are African American, Hispanic/Latina, or from other racial/ethnic minority groups, and who are living with HIV/AIDS or are at elevated risk of acquiring HIV. The target group includes women with substance use disorders or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders.

4) Does the program include women of different sexual orientations?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes women who identify as heterosexual, lesbian, or bisexual.

5) Are women with histories of incarceration included?

Yes. Women with histories of incarceration are specifically named as part of the population of interest.

6) Can services extend to participants' significant others?

In some cases, yes. The description notes that significant others may be included in certain circumstances.

7) What substances and risk behaviors does the grant prioritize reducing?

One stated goal is to reduce HIV infection and transmission rates among minority women by decreasing use of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and injection drug use.

8) How does the program address violence and trauma?

A central goal is to directly address how violence and trauma increase vulnerability to both substance use and HIV risk. The program emphasizes trauma-informed approaches as a core expectation.

9) What types of services are expected under this grant?

The opportunity emphasizes integrated services that include culturally appropriate, women- and family-centered, trauma-informed substance use treatment and co-occurring mental health treatment, alongside HIV and viral hepatitis services.

10) Are HIV and hepatitis testing included in the expected service model?

Yes. The program description includes testing for HIV and hepatitis B and C as part of the integrated HIV and viral hepatitis services.

11) Does the program include sexual risk reduction education?

Yes. One goal is to educate and empower participants to increase safer sex practices (such as condom use) and to support informed decision-making about behavioral health, including trauma-related HIV risk behaviors.

12) Are evidence-based interventions required?

Yes. The opportunity calls for implementing evidence-based interventions rather than relying on untested approaches.

13) What does "culturally appropriate" and "women- and family-centered" mean in this opportunity?

The solicitation emphasizes that services should be culturally responsive and realistic for the lived experiences of the women being served, rather than generic clinic models. It also stresses women- and family-centered program design.

14) Why does SAMHSA prioritize racial and ethnic minority women in this program?

The announcement cites persistent disparities in HIV impact. It references CDC data indicating that women were 23 percent of new HIV infections in 2009 despite being 51 percent of the population, and that among women with new infections, 57 percent were Black females and 16 percent were Hispanic/Latina. It also highlights that Black women experienced a new infection rate 15 times that of White women and more than three times that of Hispanic/Latina women.

15) What outcomes does SAMHSA point to from prior CSAT HIV programs?

The opportunity references prior program outcomes such as reductions in injection drug use and unprotected sexual contacts, including unprotected sex with partners who have HIV, inject drugs, or are under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

16) How quickly must services begin after award?

The grant is designed for rapid implementation. Funded organizations are expected to begin service delivery by the fourth month after receiving the notice of award.

17) What does "rapid implementation" imply for applicants?

It implies applicants should demonstrate readiness to operate quickly, including having credible partnerships, staffing plans, and referral pathways that can be put in place fast enough to start delivering services within months.

18) How many awards and how much funding were anticipated for FY 2013?

The funding opportunity anticipated about 35 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $18,195,000.

19) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling was $520,000.

20) Is cost-sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

21) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The program is under CFDA 93.243, "Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance."

22) When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?

It was posted on March 11, 2013. The application deadline was May 14, 2013. The archive date was June 13, 2013.

23) What types of organizations were eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities. Examples listed include community- and faith-based organizations, federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribes and tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, hospitals, federally qualified health centers (and look-alikes), and public or private colleges and universities.

24) Are state and local governmental agencies eligible applicants?

No. State and local governmental agencies are explicitly not eligible to apply.

25) Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?

No. For-profit agencies are prohibited by statute for this opportunity.

26) Why does the opportunity emphasize community-based and locally rooted organizations?

The announcement argues that community-based organizations are more likely to reach underserved populations, handle sensitive issues like HIV status and perceived sexual orientation appropriately, employ community residents and peers, and maintain community representation in governance and advisory structures. This rationale supports the policy intent that funds should flow directly to locally rooted organizations.

27) Is there a restriction related to organizations already holding certain SAMHSA/CSAT TCE HIV grants?

Yes. Organizations currently implementing a SAMHSA/CSAT TCE HIV grant that extends past 9/29/2013 (excluding no-cost extensions) cannot apply.

28) What broader federal priorities does this grant align with?

The opportunity is aligned with the Congressional Minority AIDS Initiative, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, SAMHSA Strategic Initiatives (including health reform, prevention, and recovery support), and it is positioned as a Healthy People 2020-related effort within the Substance Abuse topic area.

29) Is this a research grant or a services grant?

It is described as a discretionary services grant, focused on expanding practical service capacity in communities.

30) What does an ideal program design look like based on the solicitation summary?

Based on the stated goals and expectations, strong designs would combine behavioral health treatment with HIV and hepatitis testing and prevention education, directly address violence and trauma as drivers of risk, use evidence-based interventions, and demonstrate credible community access and readiness to start serving clients quickly.