Questions and Answers for EPIC RFA #49960377

	B	C	D	E
1	Timestamp	Question	Question Category	Response

2	9/23/2025	Page 5 says "Regional coalitions are not recommended" - can you elaborate on how geographically small of a community would be a good fit? If a county has some towns or cities, but share a school district or counties work together for example - would that be local enough? Or would that be considered regional because there would be more than one town?	Project Background and Overview	From RFA "Regional coalitions are not recommended due to challenges in engagement across multiple municipalities." Applicants have the opportunity to justify their choice in the application.
3	9/23/2025	The Basecamp information posted earlier in September mentioned a focus on middle school students; however, there is no mention of middle school students being a priority population in the RFA. Are middle school students the priority age group for youth work in this grant?	Project Background and Overview	From RFA "Our statewide goal is that by FY2031, the state will maintain or reduce underage alcohol, cannabis, and prescription drug use measured by the Healthy Youth Colorado Survey (HKCS) administered in the fall of odd numbered years." HKCS measure middle school and high school youth. It is determined by your community data and assessments.
4	9/26/2025	Appendix B mentions federal regulations and CFR guidance, which seem to hint this is a federal pass-thru, can you confirm if this is the case?	Project Background and Overview	State and Federal dollars are sourced to fund this RFA.
5	9/27/2025	What are examples that you are looking for in regards to what communities are already doing? Is this catered to sustain the CTC/COFP work?	Project Background and Overview	RFA Application Question 9: "Describe your proposed community for this project. Include geographic boundaries, key demographic characteristics, alignment with school districts, and any existing community wide efforts" is intended to give applicants and opportunity to share about any work in their community related to the application.
6	9/30/2025	How many candidates in each of the three county classifications will be awarded?	Project Background and Overview	CDPHE plans to award the fund to the top scoring candidates in each of the three (3) options of the RFA.
7	9/30/2025	Is CDPHE not going to contract with CU for evaluation in the next RFA?	Project Background and Overview	Evaluation partners is not addressed in this RFA.
8	9/30/2025	What is the difference between a Readiness Assessment vs a Needs Assessment vs a Community Profile	Project Background and Overview	Readiness assessment is a tool designed to help your organization and community assess its readiness to adopt Collective Impact as a guiding framework. Community Needs Assessment is in the SOW as Community Assessment. Community Profile describes the overall project and community context.
9	9/30/2025	What is the difference between a Community Strategic plan vs the CAP?	Project Background and Overview	Community Strategic plan is a five-year plan for the project. Community Action Plan is a short term plan to achieve the goals of the Strategic Plan. All templates will be provided to guide you through these assessments, profile, strategic plan, etc. along with TA and coaching.
10	9/30/2025	What are examples of what the .5 FTE evaluator would do?	Project Background and Overview	Evaluation responsibilities are outlined in the SOW.
11	10/1/2025	Could you please confirm whether applicants are permitted to submit proposals that cover multiple Health Statistic Regions, or if submissions must be limited to only one region per application	Project Background and Overview	From RFA "CDPHE will not fund more than one application to serve the same geographic community or statewide based on topics to build a collective impact system." No other limitations are included.
12	10/2/2025	So is a geographic community a county or a group of counties?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community. CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication.
13	10/3/2025	How are you defining "geographic community"? City, County, Region, etc?		RFA Application Question 9: "Describe your proposed community for this project. Include geographic boundaries, key demographic characteristics, alignment with school districts, and any existing community wide efforts" is intended to give applicants and opportunity to share about any work in their community related to the application.
14	10/3/2025	Will options be funded equally?		Awards go to top scoring candidates across options; total ~$10M/year. There is not a fixed number of awards.
15	10/3/2025	Can multiple counties apply within a region and be awarded funds (say they all pursue option C) from the same option?		CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. CDPHE will not fund more than one application for the same community; a single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. CDPHE discussed overlaps and partnering to avoid duplication.
16	10/3/2025	Can the same "geographical community" receive different option awards		CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. CDPHE will not fund more than one application for the same community; a single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. CDPHE discussed overlaps and partnering to avoid duplication.
17	10/3/2025	How will you differentiate between section 7 Q25 and Section 8 Q28 if we're wanting to implement community-wide strategies (those are listed as evidence based strategies)		Q25 is focused on Environmental Strategies outside of Evidence Based Programs. Q28 ss focused on Evidence Based Programs. These may contribute to the community action plan but are different questions.
18	10/3/2025	How do we identify the ceiling award amount for our specific community?	Budget Requirements	From page 7 of RFA "The award amounts will vary depending on local living wages and agency requests for costs to operate in the community." Annual award range $160k - $410k; average ~$320k; ~$10M statewide annually.
19	10/3/2025	If you aren't located in a prioritized county are the chances of funding slim?	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	Applicants in prioritized counties receive additional points per the HB23-1223 list. Awards go to top scoring candidates across options; total ~$10M/yr. There is not a fixed number of awards.
20	10/3/2025	Can you clarify who the focus population of the application is? Is it primarily for youth and is this youth ages 9-25?	Project Background and Overview	We have focused on youth, however, there are also parents, caregivers, etc. that will also benefit from prevention services. It will depend on what you are showing in your data in addressing substance use prevention. RFA page 3 "Our statewide goal is that by FY2031, the state will maintain or reduce underage alcohol, cannabis, and prescription drug use measured by the Healthy Youth Colorado Survey (HKCS) administered in the fall of odd numbered years."
21	10/3/2025	How many slots of awards are to be given to the prioritized geographic communities? Let say for example, for the geographic area of the San Luis Valley, how many awards are projected to be awarded to this prioritized geographic region?	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	Define your geographic community. CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. CDPHE will not fund more than one application for the same community; a single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. CDPHE discussed overlaps and partnering to avoid duplication. Awards go to top scoring candidates across options; total ~$10M/year. There is not a fixed number of awards. Estimated 35 - 40 communities depending on requests.
22	10/3/2025	Our agency is a bi county and we serve two counties with one county is in the priority area do we apply as a bi county or for each county?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community; CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. CDPHE will not fund more than one app for the same community; a single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. One application per geographic area.
23	10/3/2025	Would an application be eligible/competitive if the coalition is focused on the upstream determinant of health rather than explicitly prevention of substance use? For example, a housing coalition or a youth development coalition	Project Background and Overview	Broad eligibility: community organizations, nonprofits, governments, schools, universities, for-profits, faith-based, etc., within Colorado. CDPHE has said essentially everyone in CO is eligible. Backbone agency and coalition are central for Option A; infrastructure includes coaching/TA. Covered backbone leadership differences and duties.
24	10/3/2025	We reviewed the evaluation report and noticed that our county is in one of the regions with the highest past 30-days of substance abuse among public high school students, but we are not listed in the prioritize counties. Can you please speak to how the prioritized counties were selected?	Project Background and Overview	Prioritization report will be published here soon: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/hb23-1223-grant-prioritization-task-force
25	10/3/2025	Can you define "community" more specifically? Is this solely tied to geographic location or could community be defined as a statewide coalition of youth, so long as its purpose is a collective impact system? So is a geographic community a county or a group of counties?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community; CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. Statewide topic applications are allowed; still one lead application per same scope. CDPHE said statewide is acceptable if it follows the framework. Backbone agency and coalition are central for Option A; infrastructure includes coaching/TA. Covered backbone leadership differences and duties in webinar.
26	10/3/2025	can you clarify, is it one award per option per geographic area? or one award per geographic area total?	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	Define your geographic community. CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. All options work towards comprehensive prevention system outlined in Option A.
27	10/3/2025	What criteria are you using to determine if a community is a high cost of living community?	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	Page 7 of the RFA "MIT Living Wage Calculator for Colorado (2025)" https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/08.
28	10/3/2025	will you consider funding multiple projects within the same geographic area if they are focused on different populations?	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	Define your geographic community; CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. CDPHE will not fund more than one application for the same community; a single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. One application per geographic area.
29	10/3/2025	Can a grant apply to 2 different rural counties with tailored approaches for each? Or would that need to be 2 separate applications? if we serve two counties that are in different regions (11 and 12), can we submit one proposal, or one proposal per region? Our agency is a bi county and we serve two counties with one county is in the priority area do we apply as a bi county or for each county?	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	RFA page 5, "A single applicant should not apply to work in more than two identified geographic communities." One application per geographic area.
30	10/3/2025	Let say for example, for the geographic area of the San Luis Valley, how many awards are projected to be awarded to this prioritized geographic region?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community. CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. Applicants in prioritized counties receive additional points per HB 23-1223 list. Priority geographies called out during overview. Awards go to top scoring candidates across options; total ~$10M/year. There is not a fixed # of awards. Estimated 35 - 40 communities depending on requests.
31	10/3/2025	by programs implemented do you mean any EBP that is being implemented in the community even if the coalition isn't explicitly implementing or involved?	Project Background and Overview	As mentioned in the webinar, the backbone agency supports the financial costs facilitating initial and continuous planning and strategic direction in a community, but not all of the individual costs associated with making community change. They steward the network to build and agree to a common agenda, pursue population level outcomes, and align, motivate, and manage a network to act together. This means EBP occur in the community and partners in the collective impact effort, but may not be run by the coalition.
32	10/3/2025	can you provide a list of geographic areas please?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community. CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication.
33	10/3/2025	can one community apply for different options? For example, the "community" is defined as 2 or 3 counties so applying for option A for CTC that is in one county (not regional), and also applying for option B or C for work that is done in the other areas.	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	Define your geographic community; CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. CDPHE will not fund more than one application for the same community; a single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. One application per geographic area.
34	10/3/2025	Would it be fair to say that you will prioritize strong applications for option A over strong applications for option B or C in the same geographic area?	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	Awards go to top scoring candidates across options; total ~$10M/year. There is not a fixed number of awards. Estimated 35 - 40 communities depending on requests.
35	10/3/2025	If we are currently functioning as option A but would like to expand to have a broader focus on the county vs. one community, would we want to apply under option B or C? Or is advisable to proceed in one smaller community?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community; CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. CDPHE will not fund more than one application for the same community; a single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. One application per geographic area.
36	10/3/2025	Statement of Work, p. 6 Primary Activity #1, Sub-Activity #1 The Contractor shall provide an evaluation staff that is .50 FTE or greater. What is the job description or scope of work for this position? Can the .5 FTE be working on other things in addition to evaluation? Or do they need to dedicate ~20 hrs/week to evaluation of the grant-related work? This would be new for our existing CTC work.	Project Background and Overview	Evaluation responsibilities are outlined in the SOW. .50 FTE or greater Evaluation should be able to fulfill those requirements; evaluator organizes data collection and reporting; state provides evaluation support. Qualifications are up to applicant policies.
37	10/3/2025	Statement of Work, p. 9 Primary Activity #2, Sub-Activity #3 Evidence-based programs - CTC work has been focused more on strategy work, are we required to support programs as well? “The Contractor shall implement the chosen evidence-based programs, practices, and policies.” Are we being asked to implement programs? Will grant funds support the program implementation?	Project Background and Overview	Option A supports communities ready to implement a full-scale comprehensive prevention system, including: a multi-sector coalition, policy & systems change initiatives, and evidence-based prevention programs. Allowable and unallowable funds are defined in Appendix B. Program Implementation is allowable for coalition meetings.
38	10/3/2025	You've said you discourage regional coalition, but what is your guidance on a statewide coalition that is based on an audience (e.g. engaged youth) not on specific geographic areas?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community. CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. Statewide topic applications are allowed; still one lead application per same scope. CDPHE has said statewide is acceptable if it follows the framework. Backbone agency and coalition are central for Option A; infrastructure includes coaching/TA. Covered backbone leadership differences and duties.
39	10/3/2025	Or is advisable to proceed in one smaller community?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community; CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. Statewide topic applications are allowed; still one lead application per same scope. CDPHE has said statewide is acceptable if it follows the framework. Backbone agency and coalition are central for Option A; infrastructure includes coaching/TA. Covered backbone leadership differences and duties.
40	10/3/2025	What is the funding source for this RFA?	Project Background and Overview	Braided funding sources from both State and Federal dollars.
41	10/3/2025	My organization serves three different counties, does that mean we should look at options B or C instead of A?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community; CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. CDPHE will not fund more than one application for the same community; a single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. One application per geographic area.
42	10/3/2025	Does the .5 FTE evaluation staff have to have any specific qualifications? What is the level of skill you are envisioning for the evaluator position? Will there be evaluation technical assistance provided by the state to support that position?	Budget Requirements	Evaluation responsibilities are outlined in the SOW. .50 FTE or greater Evaluation should be able to fulfill those requirements; evaluator organizes data collection and reporting; state provides evaluation support. Qualifications are up to applicant policies.
43	10/3/2025	If the 1.0FTE doesn’t have to be a mobilizer, what else could it be (other than the evaluator you mention)?	Budget Requirements	The state will require that you have one full-time staff member who can speak on all the components of the proposed grant and understands all the requirements, and meets the deliverables of the grant. This can include full-time staff, new staff, and/or existing staff who will start dedicating time directly to this project. You may need to hire staff. Staff positions may be Project Managers, Coalition Coordinators, Community Mobilizers, Financial Managers, Evaluation staff, etc.
44	10/3/2025	Can you define this "evaluator" position? What is the job description or scope of work for this position? Can the .5 FTE be working on other things in addition to evaluation? Or do they need to dedicate ~20 hrs/week to evaluation of the grant-related work? This would be new for our existing CTC work.Does it have to be someone hired specifically as an evaluator or someone assigned to do that work (who can then also subcontract for some evaluation in your focus group example)? Is there a specific system you require for the evaluation and data reporting?	Budget Requirements	Evaluation responsibilities are outlined in the SOW. .50 FTE or greater Evaluation should be able to fulfill those requirements; evaluator organizes data collection and reporting; state provides evaluation support. Qualifications are up to applicant policies.
45	10/3/2025	Is CDPHE not going to contract with CU for evaluation in the next RFA?	Budget Requirements	Evaluation partners is not addressed in this RFA.
46	10/3/2025	What are examples of what the .5 FTE evaluator would do?	Budget Requirements	Evaluation responsibilities are outlined in the SOW, .50 FTE or greater. Evaluation should be able to fulfill the requirements; evaluator organizes data collection and reporting; state provides evaluation support.
47	10/3/2025	Can the .5 FTE for eval be divided over multiple staff or does it have to be one person?	Budget Requirements	Qualifications are up to applicant policies.
48	10/3/2025	Is food for coalition meetings allowable?	Budget Requirements	Allowable and unallowable funds are defined in Appendix B. Food is allowable for coalition meetings.
49	10/3/2025	can you clarify what this is asking- specifically environmental stewardship? "Describe how you will integrate sustainability and environmental stewardship into your project."	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	Environmental stewardship includes innovative practices, measurable goals, long-term commitment, and alignment with broader community or environmental initiatives. These align with the collective impact approach.
50	10/3/2025	Do allowable costs include program implementation then? Training, curriculums, and other program related costs? Is food for coalition meetings allowable?	Budget Requirements	Allowable and unallowable funds are defined in Appendix B. Food is allowable for coalition meetings and program implementation.
51	10/3/2025	Could we combine two people into 1 FTE as mobilizers together? In addition to the 1.0 FTE of coordinating collective impact, can we add additional staff from our team who have expertise in facilitating focus groups, evaluating, etc?	Budget Requirements	From RFA page 9, the state will require that you have one full-time staff member who can speak on all the components of the proposed grant and understands all the requirements, and meets the deliverables of the grant. This can include full-time staff, new staff, and/or existing staff who will start dedicating time directly to this project. You may need to hire staff. Staff positions may be Project Managers, Coalition Coordinators, Community Mobilizers, Financial Managers, Evaluation staff, etc.
52	10/3/2025	Can the .5 FTE be combined with another role that is not the 1 FTE Project Manager/Coordinator? Does this mean the .5 FTE needs to be just one person or can this work be spread out over multiple people? If the backbone agency already has staff for evaluation, does that satisfy the requirement for the .5 FTE evaluator?	Budget Requirements	Evaluation responsibilities are outlined in the SOW. .50 FTE or greater Evaluation should be able to fulfill those requirements; evaluator organizes data collection and reporting; state provides evaluation support. Qualifications are up to applicant policies.
53	10/3/2025	if we serve two counties that are in different regions (11 and 12), can we submit one proposal, or one proposal per region?	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	Define your geographic community. CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. CDPHE will not fund more than one app for the same community; a single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. One application per geographic area
54	10/3/2025	What is the level of skill you are envisioning for the evaluator position? Will there be evaluation technical assistance provided by the state to support that position?	Project Background and Overview	Evaluation responsibilities are outlined in the SOW. .50 FTE or greater Evaluation should be able to fulfill those requirements; evaluator organizes data collection and reporting; state provides evaluation support. Qualifications are up to applicant policies.
55	10/3/2025	How would one distinguish this from the Communities that Care Coalition work?	Project Background and Overview	Accepts CTC, SPF, CDC policy process or similar to achieve collective impact; not prescriptive. COFP funds end June 30, 2026. EPIC begins July 1, 2026.
56	10/3/2025	Do the community partner surveys need to be completed by the partners by RFP due date?	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	Application due November 3, 2025 at 5 p.m. via electronic submission.
57	10/3/2025	Are there any restrictions or requirements for supervisory staff?	Project Background and Overview	From RFA page 9, the state will require that you have one full-time staff member who can speak on all the components of the proposed grant and understands all the requirements, and meets the deliverables of the grant. This can include full-time staff, new staff, and/or existing staff who will start dedicating time directly to this project. You may need to hire staff. Staff positions may be Project Managers, Coalition Coordinators, Community Mobilizers, Financial Managers, Evaluation staff, etc. 1.0 FTE for Project Manager/Coordinator, 0.5 FTE for Evaluation is the minimum requirement.
58	10/3/2025	Can the option you choose, A B or C, change during the grant cycle as readiness is reached?	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	The vision of the EPIC Grant is to use funds designated for preventing substance use before it starts, to strengthen the ability of local communities to put into action a comprehensive strategy for preventing substance use. This involves adopting a Collective Impact approach, which includes utilizing frameworks like the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), Communities that Care (CTC), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Policy Change Process, among others. Growth towards comprehensive strategy for preventing substance use (Option A) is expected.
59	10/3/2025	Can you address funding availability of this RFA in context of the budget cuts during the current fiscal year? i.e. potential budget cuts in the future. We are an active CTC COFP community and were cut $35,000 of $141,000 initially awarded yet, this RFA’s funding range is $160,000 - $410,000.	Budget Requirements	From page 7 of RFA "The award amounts will vary depending on local living wages and agency requests for costs to operate in the community." Annual award range $160k - $410k; average ~$320k; ~$10M statewide annually.
60	10/3/2025	Is there a specific system you require for the evaluation and data reporting?	Project Background and Overview	No, state provides evaluation support.
61	10/3/2025	Is CPS II still a requirement?	Project Background and Overview	No such requirement is listed.
62	10/3/2025	Is this grant only for CTC or is this also funding that was once OBH funding that covers other programs?	Project Background and Overview	Accepts CTC, SPF, CDC policy process or similar to achieve collective impact. Funding also includes Evidence-Based Program funding. See three options and Theory of Change in RFA
63	10/3/2025	This is regarding the Financial Risk Assessment. It says LPHA agencies do not need to complete it. We are housed in our county government just a different department then our LPHA. Do we need to do the financial risk assessment or because it has been completed for the LPHA in the county government we do not?	Budget Requirements	If the applicant is part of the county government and just a different department than the LPHA, the applicant does not need to complete the FRAQ. We will use the FRMS risk rating for the applicant.
64	10/3/2025	If the region you are applying for is not using the HKCS in their school district, will this cause your application to be denied?	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	Not necessarily. An equivalent data source to support the application and project activities should be described in application
65	10/3/2025	If you are one agency that serves two counties can you have two applications in since its per geographic area? Can a backbone agency apply for two areas that would operate with separate staff? As in hold the grant for 2 coalitions. Can the backbone agency sub-award to a non-profit recipient?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community; CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. CDPHE will not fund more than one app for the same community; a single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. One application per geographic area. Sub-awards are allowed.
66	10/3/2025	Should an organization be concerned with using certain words or phrases related to DEI in their proposals?	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	No.
67	10/3/2025	What are your recommendations for grant writing support?	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	We have provided resources for this; there is an Applicant Resource guide in the RFA tools folder: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YgMMJ-jWVyMCm109igXDPRonXmTjdb6K/view?usp=drive_link
68	10/3/2025	Can a backbone agency apply for two areas that would operate with separate staff? As in hold the grant for 2 coalitions	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	A single applicant should not apply to more than two communities. One application per geographic area.
69	10/3/2025	I know on page 17, it says applicants are not to contact any other state office or regarding this RFA. Are we allowed to have an individual or state office to complete the backbone survey, particularly if they have worked with our organization as a backbone?	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	This survey is specific to the Elevating Prevention In Colorado (EPIC) Request for Applications #49960377 (RFA) through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. This survey seeks candid feedback on how well the backbone agency demonstrates the mindsets and skills needed for successful collective impact. Due to wanting candid feedback and less influence from applying agencies on respondents for feedback, we are not sharing the questions ahead of time. Please DO NOT submit "dummy" survey completions just to get access to the questions. Doing so runs counter to the desire for candid feedback. You may choose which respondents are appropriate to include.
70	10/3/2025	For the community feedback survey there are 2 different links, one that goes to a Surveymonkey survey and one that goes to a Google form. Can you clarify which one partners should fill in? Also, is there a way to view these questions ahead of time to know what they will be asked to complete, and be able to send to them when we request them to fill it out?	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	The Survey Monkey is the proper link. The improper link on Attachment C to the Google Form has been corrected. This survey is specific to the Elevating Prevention In Colorado (EPIC) Request for Applications #49960377 (RFA) through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. This survey seeks candid feedback on how well the backbone agency demonstrates the mindsets and skills needed for successful collective impact. Due to wanting candid feedback and less influence from applying agencies on respondents for feedback, we are not sharing the questions ahead of time. Please DO NOT submit "dummy" survey completions just to get access to the questions. Doing so runs counter to the desire for candid feedback. You may choose which respondents are appropriate to include.
71	10/3/2025	In addition to the 1.0 FTE of coordinating collective impact, can we add additional staff from our team who have expertise in facilitating focus groups, evaluating, etc?	Project Background and Overview	From RFA page 9, the state will require that you have one full-time staff member who can speak on all the components of the proposed grant and understands all the requirements, and meets the deliverables of the grant. This can include full-time staff, new staff, and/or existing staff who will start dedicating time directly to this project. You may need to hire staff. Staff positions may be Project Managers, Coalition Coordinators, Community Mobilizers, Financial Managers, Evaluation staff, etc.
72	10/3/2025	at most you can list 2.0 FTE is that right for this project? 1.0 FTE for mobilizer + 1.0 FTE for evaluation?	Budget Requirements	From RFA page 9, the state will require that you have one full-time staff member who can speak on all the components of the proposed grant and understands all the requirements, and meets the deliverables of the grant. This can include full-time staff, new staff, and/or existing staff who will start dedicating time directly to this project. You may need to hire staff. Staff positions may be Project Managers, Coalition Coordinators, Community Mobilizers, Financial Managers, Evaluation staff, etc. 1.0 FTE for Project Manager/Coordinator, 0.5 FTE for Evaluation is the minimum requirement.
73	10/3/2025	Could EPIC support work inside of correctional facilities that positively impact generational substance misuse, and violence? We empower safer and healthier communities inside and out or prison walls. the state system filters into almost all CO communities.	Project Background and Overview	Broad eligibility: community orgs, nonprofits, governments, schools, universities, for-profits, faith-based, etc., within Colorado. CDPHE has said essentially everyone in CO is eligible. The program has carefully designed a scoring and selection process to ensure fair selection of the best qualified applicants.
74	10/3/2025	Reposting as not answered: You've said you discourage regional coalition, but what is your guidance on a statewide coalition that is based on an audience/identity/issue (e.g. engaged youth) not on specific geographic areas?	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community; CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. Statewide topic applications are allowed; still one lead application per same scope. CDPHE has said statewide is acceptable if it follows the framework. Backbone agency and coalition are central for Option A; infrastructure includes coaching/TA. Covered backbone leadership differences and duties.
75	10/3/2025	The lack of specificity about geographic community can cause ambiguity and insinuation per interpreting. Please look into this for specific clarification.	Project Background and Overview	Define your geographic community; CDPHE funds only one application per same geographic community or statewide topic; partner to avoid overlap. CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining geography and encouraged coordination to avoid duplication. Statewide topic applications are allowed; still one lead application per same scope. CDPHE has said statewide is acceptable if it follows the framework. Backbone agency and coalition are central for Option A; infrastructure includes coaching/TA. Covered backbone leadership differences and duties.
76	10/3/2025	Does this mean the .5 FTE needs to be just one person or can this work be spread out over multiple people?	Budget Requirements	Require 0.5 FTE for evaluation. The state provides evaluation support; evaluator organizes data collection and reporting. CDPHE explained evaluator role and flexibility in qualifications. Applicant will need to explain and justify how they meet the requirement.
77	10/3/2025	20 hours a week is a lot for evaluation- can this person support other parts of the grant work?	Budget Requirements	Require 0.5 FTE for evaluation. The state provides evaluation support; evaluator organizes data collection and reporting. CDPHE explained evaluator role and flexibility in qualifications. Applicant will need to explain and justify how they meet the requirement.
78	10/3/2025	Could you please link to the readiness survey? " What is the difference between a Readiness Assessment vs. a Needs Assessment vs. a Community Profile?"	Project Background and Overview	Readiness Survey. Readiness Assessment is a tool designed to help your organization and community assess its readiness to adopt Collective Impact as a guiding framework. Community Needs Assessment is in SOW as Community Assessment. Community Profile describes the overall project and community context.
79	10/3/2025	Is this grant only for CTC or is this also funding that was once OBH funding that covers other programs?	Project Background and Overview	The vision of the EPIC Grant is to use funds designated for preventing substance use before it starts, to strengthen the ability of local communities to put into action a comprehensive strategy for preventing substance use. This involves adopting a Collective Impact approach, which includes utilizing frameworks like the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), Communities that Care (CTC), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Policy Change Process, among others. Funding also includes Evidence-Based Program funding. See three Options and Theory of Change in RFA. Funding sources previously supported CTC and OBH, but this is a new combined program.
80	10/3/2025	Is the 1 FTE and .5 FTE for evaluation the minimum staffing and you can have additional staff (youth advisors for example) if they are working directly on the grant and justified in the narrative? Or is that the maximum staffing?	Budget Requirements	From RFA page 9, the state will require that you have one full-time staff member who can speak on all the components of the proposed grant and understands all the requirements, and meets the deliverables of the grant. This can include full-time staff, new staff, and/or existing staff who will start dedicating time directly to this project. You may need to hire staff. Staff positions may be Project Managers, Coalition Coordinators, Community Mobilizers, Financial Managers, Evaluation staff, etc. 1.0 FTE for Project Manager/Coordinator, 0.5 FTE for Evaluation is the minimum requirement.
81	10/3/2025	You don't have to answer this again, but just a point I think to consider as a challenge: Organization X applies as serving Counties A, B, (their geographic community). If funded, this could exclude Organization Y, which serves only County B, even though Y may be better positioned to meet County B's unique needs. From what you said, hopefully you can establish a review step to evaluate overlaps and ensure no single org's app is unintentionally excluded by another's orgs broader definition of geographic community.	Project Background and Overview	The program has carefully designed a scoring and selection process to ensure fair selection of the best qualified applicants.
82	10/3/2025	My apologies if this has already been answered -- I just joined the call. When will we receive the recording? Thanks!	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	Recording and all materials for this RFA are in the following folder: EPIC RFA#49960377 Application Documents Folder.
83	10/3/2025	Could you please link to the readiness survey?	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	The Readiness Survey link.
84	10/3/2025	Just as an FYI, in attachment 9 regarding the community feedback survey, the document has a survey link that goes to this google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSci5EVcLfwN5L14jfZvDAqEBlvbG8yHtVLL-aBnqkS7yoTrlQ/viewform. Thanks for clarifying that it's Survey Monkey, but you might want to update this attachment	Application Documents, Formating, &/or SurveyMonkey	This survey is specific to the Elevating Prevention In Colorado (EPIC) Request for Applications #49960377 (RFA) through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. This survey seeks candid feedback on how well the backbone agency demonstrates the mindsets and skills needed for successful collective impact. Due to wanting candid feedback and less influence from applying agencies on respondents for feedback, we are not sharing the questions ahead of time. Please DO NOT submit "dummy" survey completions just to get access to the questions. Doing so runs counter to the desire for candid feedback. You may choose which respondents are appropriate to include.
85	10/3/2025	Are evaluators expected to help build capacity in their community around evaluation?	Project Background and Overview	As mentioned in the webinar, community members as partners is a key aspect of collective impact readiness and building capacity in community is an important aspect of the work. Who does that is up to applicants to propose.
86	10/3/2025	Can you contract out to an evaluator instead of it being a "staff person"	Budget Requirements	Applicant must follow their hiring policies to meet the requirements of the SOW.
87	10/3/2025	This does not impact the organization I am a part of but organizations that are state-funded and TABOR impacted would need to know how much is getting state-funded versus federal funding.	Selection, Evaluation, and Awards	From RFA page 8, once funded, we will have a team to guide and assist you in filling out the budget template to go along with your contract to ensure we are following state and federal laws and regulations.
88	10/3/2025	follow up questions to FTE- If we have a current .5 admin could we add additional .5 to the position that is dedicated to evaluation for this grant?		Yes, This can include full-time staff, part-time staff, new staff, and/or existing staff who will start dedicating time directly to this project. You may need to hire staff. Staff positions may be Project Managers, Coalition Coordinators, Community Mobilizers, Financial Managers, Evaluation staff, etc.
89	10/3/2025	Where can this recording be found. I'd like to share with a team member who couldn't join today. Thanks!	Application Documents, Formatting, &/or SurveyMonkey	Recording and all materials for this RFA are in the following folder: EPIC RFA#49960377 Application Documents Folder.
90	10/3/2025	If you are already a CTC coalition supported by COFP, does this disqualify you from applying for EPIC?	Project Background and Overview	Accepts CTC, SPF, CDC policy process or similar to achieve collective impact; not prescriptive. COFP funds end June 30, 2026. EPIC begins July 1, 2026.
91	10/3/2025	I'm confused by acceptance of statewide applications, when other responses have stated that 2 applications would be required for 2 counties? Is the difference because of 1 targeted population identified within the state rather than the full populations of 2 different counties?	Project Background and Overview	Statewide topic applications are allowed; still one lead application per same scope. Statewide is acceptable if it follows the framework. This may be different then full populations depending on applicant responses.
92	10/3/2025	Are implementing EBPS an allowable expense?	Budget Requirements	Allowable and unallowable funds are defined in Appendix B. Program implementation is allowable .
93	10/3/2025	Are evidence based strategies such as Positive Youth Development considered a valid EBP or does it have to be a program, not a strategy/approach?	Project Background and Overview	PYD can enhance evidence-based program (EBP), but is an evidence-based approach more than and an EBP.
94	10/3/2025	Hi! Do you mind displaying the slide of the trainings/certifications or sharing in notes?	Project Background and Overview	The following will be required foundational trainings: Communities That Care Training of Facilitators (if applicable), Prevention Core Competencies, Prevention Ethics, SPF Application for Prevention Success Training (SAPST), and Elements of Effective Coalitions.
95	10/3/2025	Are there instances where there could be 1 FTE Mobilizer, 1 FTE Coordinator, and .5 FTE Evaluator?	Budget Requirements	Yes, From RFA page 9, the state will require that you have one full-time staff member who can speak on all the components of the proposed grant and understands all the requirements, and meets the deliverables of the grant. This can include full-time staff, part-time staff, new staff, and/or existing staff who will start dedicating time directly to this project. You may need to hire staff. Staff positions may be Project Managers, Coalition Coordinators, Community Mobilizers, Financial Managers, Evaluation staff, etc. 1.0 FTE for Project Manager/Coordinator, 0.5 FTE for Evaluation is the minimum requirement
96	10/3/2025	In order to apply for Option A do you have to currently have all aspects in place at start of grant? Is there an allowance for some capacity-building needs within Option A applications?	Project Background and Overview	We recommend using the Readiness Survey. It will provide a recommendation for which option to apply to based on your readiness score.
97	10/3/2025	Back with a statewide focus, would a BGC Alliance be a good fit for funding, given their support of BGC of Colorado and the SUD work being done through BGCC? I'm confused by acceptance of statewide applications, when other responses have stated that 2 applications would be required for 2 counties? Is the difference because of 1 targeted population identified within the state rather than the full populations of 2 different counties?	Project Background and Overview	Statewide topic applications are allowed; still one lead application per same scope. Statewide is acceptable if it follows the framework.
98	10/3/2025	can you provide a list of geographic areas please?	Project Background and Overview	All geographic regions in Colorado are available for this opportunity.
99	10/3/2025	If a backbone agency applies for and is awarded the grant, can that choose a sub-recipient for the award for implementation?	Project Background and Overview	See Attachment B for allowable and unallowable costs. Contractual costs are related to hiring an agency to complete a component of the project. Your agency is responsible for having a contract that clearly states the work to be completed with timelines and a budget. Your agency will be responsible for selecting the contractor and overseeing the contract to ensure that they meet the work you want completed to help your agency meet the project goals and outcomes.
100	10/3/2025	Is a school district considered a "community"?	Project Background and Overview	CDPHE has emphasized flexibility in defining community and encourages coordination to avoid duplication.