Funding Opportunity

DC Engage Emergency Department-Based Overdose Prevention and Linkage to Care

Microgrant Call for Applications 2026–2027

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Application Period: October 23, 2026 – November 16, 2026
Funding Period: December 1, 2026–July 31, 2027
Award Amount: One (1) award of $55,000

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Description of Funding Opportunity

DC Engage is a program administered by HealthHIV and is funded wholly or in part by the Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Health, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (HAHSTA). The program is designed to strengthen the capacity of aspiring or established community based organizations and people with lived experience coalitions to integrate equal access, evidence-based, and promising practice models into their programming, while supporting planning for sustainability so that initiatives extend beyond the award period.

DC Engage is seeking a DC-based organization to implement or expand an emergency department (ED)-based overdose prevention and linkage-to-care initiative. The initiative will strengthen identification and engagement of patients at risk for overdose, facilitate connections to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and support access to community-based overdose prevention and drug user health services.

The microgrant is intended to build upon an existing program, partnership, or service infrastructure rather than support development of a new program from the ground up.

Emergency departments are often a critical point of contact between individuals experiencing an overdose or substance use-related crisis and the health care system. The selected organization will integrate peer navigation, care coordination, referral, and follow-up services into existing ED workflows to support timely connections to treatment and ongoing community-based care.

The selected organization will work with the DC Health Street Medicine Team, and other referral partners, as appropriate, to strengthen continuity of care and address barriers to accessing services following an ED visit.

Applicants should demonstrate experience serving people affected by substance use and overdose, as well as the staffing, infrastructure, partnerships, and referral relationships needed to operate within a hospital emergency department setting.

Target Population

The initiative will serve adults presenting to hospital emergency departments in the District of Columbia who:

• Have experienced an overdose;
• Screen positive for opioid or stimulant use disorder; or
• Are identified as being at high risk for future overdose.

Applicants should describe how they will prioritize individuals experiencing significant barriers to care, including people experiencing homelessness, individuals with limited access to health care or treatment, and other populations disproportionately affected by overdose and substance use-related health disparities.

Program Structure & Funding

One (1) $55,000 microgrant will be awarded to a DC-based organization to implement or expand an ED-based overdose prevention and linkage-to-care initiative.

The proposed project must build upon an existing program, partnership, or service infrastructure and demonstrate a clear pathway for connecting individuals from emergency department care to ongoing community-based services.

Required Services

The selected organization will be expected to:

• Provide access to a qualified Peer Support Specialist (PSS), peer navigator, community health worker, or other appropriately trained staff to engage eligible patients.
• Identify and engage eligible adults who have experienced an overdose, screen positive for opioid or stimulant use disorder, or are identified as being at high risk for future overdose.
  Provide person-centered overdose prevention education and information about treatment and recovery options, including access to naloxone.
• Facilitate linkages to SUD treatment, MOUD providers, behavioral health services, and community-based overdose prevention and drug user health services.
• Connect patients to additional supportive services, as appropriate, including medical care, housing, food, insurance, and other resources.
• Provide post-discharge outreach to support continued engagement in care and address barriers to accessing services.
• Document patient engagement, referrals, follow-up activities, and linkage outcomes.
• Use established referral and follow-up processes to support continuity of care following an ED visit.

Services may be delivered through an organization’s existing program or emergency department partnership, provided the applicant demonstrates the staffing, infrastructure, and institutional support necessary to implement the proposed activities.

Examples of Eligible Funded Activities

Microgrant funds may support activities such as:

• Peer navigators, Peer Support Specialists, community health workers, or other appropriately trained staff serving in emergency department settings;
• Development or enhancement of ED screening, referral, discharge, and care coordination processes;
• Staff training related to overdose prevention, drug user health, SUD treatment and referral, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive engagement;
• Equipment, technology, and training to support HIPAA-compliant communication, virtual engagement, and post-discharge follow-up;
• Development of DC-focused referral and health promotion materials, including palm cards, brochures, and other patient-facing resources;
• Technology or systems to support referral tracking, follow-up, and outcome documentation;
  Patient outreach and engagement activities that support continued connection to care following an ED visit; and
• Activities that strengthen coordination with treatment, behavioral health, housing, overdose prevention, and other community-based service providers.

Funding Restrictions: Naloxone (Narcan) is available through DC government agencies and should not be purchased with microgrant funds. Applicants may propose using up to 5% of their budget to purchase condoms. Funding may not be used to purchase syringes for distribution, pay for treatment or drug treatment costs, or purchase medications, including medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) or PrEP/PEP.

Expectations for Awardee

The selected organization will be expected to:

• Designate a staff member responsible for overall project coordination and communication with DC Engage;
• Maintain an established relationship, formal partnership, or working relationship with a participating District of Columbia hospital emergency department;
• Participate in regular coordination meetings with DC Engage and relevant partners;
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality, privacy, consent, and data management practices;
• Monitor project implementation and use data to identify opportunities for improvement;
• Share lessons learned, challenges, and promising practices that may strengthen coordination between emergency departments and community-based providers; and
• Submit required monthly progress reports and invoices.

Organizational Eligibility

Eligible organizations must be located in Washington, DC, or provide direct services to Washington, DC residents, with priority given to organizations serving residents in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Applicants must:

• Have an established program related to peer navigation, peer recovery, overdose prevention, drug user health, substance use services, behavioral health, care coordination, or community-based support;
• Demonstrate experience serving people who use drugs and/or individuals affected by overdose;
• Demonstrate an existing relationship, formal partnership, or established working relationship with a hospital emergency department in the District of Columbia;
• Demonstrate the staffing, infrastructure, and organizational capacity necessary to integrate peer navigation, care coordination, or related services into an emergency department setting;
• Demonstrate established referral relationships with treatment, health care, behavioral health, overdose prevention, housing, and other supportive service providers; and
• Demonstrate the ability to document patient engagement, referrals, follow-up activities, and linkage outcomes while maintaining appropriate confidentiality, privacy, consent, and data management procedures.

Evaluation of Applications

Applications will be evaluated with the following criteria:

• Organizational Capacity: organizational experience relevant to the intended funded categories.
• Human Resources: identifies qualified staff or volunteers to implement proposed activities.
• Fiscal Management: demonstrates capacity to manage grant funds responsibly.
• Program Description: provides a clear, detailed description of proposed activities.
• Problem-Solving Approach: clearly articulates the evidence-based or best practice framework guiding the project.
• Measurable Objectives: provides at least three SMART objectives.
• Proposed Community Impact: describes expected outcomes for the community or population of focus.
• Sustainability: outlines how project outcomes or activities will continue when grant funds end.

Monthly Reporting & Evaluation of Awardees

• Grantees will submit monthly reports detailing activities, successes, barriers, and photos.
• Midpoint and final milestone reports will provide narrative updates on program progress and lessons learned.
• Field observations may be conducted to highlight best practices and provide targeted TA.

Awardees will be required to:

• Attend a mandatory orientation hosted by HealthHIV.
• Complete a needs assessment within 30 days of award and submit a program work plan including sustainability strategies.
• Propose activities with measurable objectives that broaden outreach and impact, and engage multiple high-need populations.
• Attend regularly scheduled technical assistance meetings and/or peer learning sessions.
  Submit monthly invoices with itemized receipts and monthly progress reports.
• Participate in the Annual DC Engage Drug User Health Conference and/or end-of-year grantee showcase.
• Promote DC Engage and Drug User Health Learning Institute opportunities.
• Submit an IRS W-9 form and the most recent financial audit if receiving more than $750,000 in federal funds annually.

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Questions about the application or funding opportunity? Please contact Sindia De La Cruz, Capacity Building Assistance Manager, at [email protected].

DC Engage is administered by HealthHIV and funded wholly or in part by the Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Health, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (HAHSTA).