Peer Operating Centers Grant

The Peer Operating Centers initiative, led by the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health, aims to enhance access to peer-operated services for vulnerable residents. With a funding pool of $1,500,000 available for four awards, each up to $375,000, the initiative focuses on expanding peer support groups and programs in the community. This aligns with the strategy to improve the quality and effectiveness of substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services, ensuring equitable access for individuals in recovery.

Department of Behavioral Health
The Department of Behavioral Health provides prevention, intervention and treatment services and supports for children, youth and adults with mental and/or substance use disorders including emergency psychiatric care and community-based outpatient and residential services.
DBH serves eligible adults, children and youth and their families through a network of community based providers and unique government delivered services. It operates Saint Elizabeths Hospital—the District’s inpatient psychiatric facility.
Purpose
The purpose of this RFA is to help the District’s most vulnerable residents successfully engage in peer operated services. Within the LLDC plan, strategy RE.1 “is to increase the presence of peer support groups/programs throughout the community for individuals in recovery and monitor the quality and effectiveness of programming.” In order to achieve this strategy and the overarching goal of ensuring equitable and timely access to high-quality substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services, DBH will make DCOR funds available to expand the peer recovery supportive services in an effort to increase access to OUD and/or STUD services and supports through POCs.
Award Funding Available
This RFA will make available up to $1,500,000 for four (4) awards up to $375,000 each.