The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is accepting applications for the Crisis Program Enhancement Grants to establish or enhance crisis intervention programs, particularly in rural areas. This funding aims to improve behavioral health crisis responses, reduce unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations, and foster collaborations with law enforcement to ensure effective interventions during emergencies. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on January 17, 2025.

The grant program, authorized under Wis. Stat. § 46.536, provides a total of $250,000 per biennium, with a maximum of $100,000 per grantee. Applicants must provide a 25% match through cash, in-kind services, or a combination of both. Funds may support certified programs under Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 34, subch. III, or other crisis services in rural counties. Collaborative efforts with law enforcement are encouraged to enhance response protocols, debriefing, and coordination during crisis events.

Eligibility extends to Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 34-certified programs and non-certified county programs offering crisis responses in rural areas. Priority will be given to initiatives serving counties without existing DHS-certified programs, multi-county projects, and programs building law enforcement collaborations. Applicants must outline plans for sustainability beyond the grant period, which runs from February 1 to June 30, 2025.

Applications must include contact and staff details, responses to six narrative prompts, a completed IRS Form W-9, and a DCTS Budget Template (F-01601C). The narrative section (limited to four pages) should address how the proposed project will improve crisis services, describe enhancements, outline best practices, set goals and objectives, and specify plans for meeting the matching funds requirement. Optional information on prior collaborations may be included as a separate one-page document.

Completed applications must be emailed to the Bureau of Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery. Applicants will receive a confirmation email within three business days of submission. Questions regarding the memo must be submitted via email by January 2, 2025, with responses posted publicly on the DHS website. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

This grant presents an opportunity for eligible entities to expand crisis services and foster sustainable improvements in behavioral health interventions for rural communities. Applicants are encouraged to review current best practices and align their proposals with DHS objectives to maximize the impact of their initiatives.