Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Support and Relief Fund For Adults

The Governor has authorized the allocation of $6M in Coronavirus Relief Funds ("flex funds") to provide support and relief to critical mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services in New Hampshire and to ensure these services withstand the challenges presented by COVID-19. To date, the following programs have been authorized:

Recovery Housing COVID-19 Relief Program

Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation of $1.3 million from CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund ("flex funds") to assist qualifying recovery houses in increasing or optimizing capacity based on pandemic-related need, such as increased demand, spacing/layout modification to ensure social distancing, or other capital improvements designed to assist New Hampshire’s recovery houses respond to the unique challenges presented by COVID-19.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed an application process through which recovery houses can identify their capacity-related projects and apply for funding. The request for a grant application (RGA) document is now available online at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/business/rfp/rga-2021-bdas-01-capit.htm, and registered recovery houses may now apply to access funding for their projects. DHHS is accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Statewide Closed-Loop Referral System COVID-19 Response Program

Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation of $700,000 from CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund ("flex funds") to assist in the development of a statewide close-loop referral system. Due to COVID-19, New Hampshire’s need for such a system has greatly increased due to pandemic response efforts often encourage isolation, which can be detrimental to those with SUD and has resulted in limited provider availability and restricted access to other services.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will utilize the funds, working with a vendor, to develop and operationalize the closed-loop system.

Recovery Friendly Workplace COVID-19 Response Program

Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation and expenditure of $725,000 from CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund ("flex funds") to assist in allowing New Hampshire’s innovative Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative to effectively address the significant disruption for employees and employers caused by COVID-19.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Nonprofit COVID-19 Relief Program

Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation of $750,000 in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund ("flex funds") to assist community-based nonprofit providers providing critical services, reducing the barriers to employment for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) face.

Granite United Way will utilize the funds to identify and issue awards to community-based providers providing critical services such as transportation, shelter, food, rent, mortgage, and childcare. Awards will be made to entities that have not previously received funds under the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) established Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund (NERF).

Outreach, Public Health, and Harm Reduction COVID-19 Response Program

Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation of $625,000 from CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund ("flex funds") to assist with the outreach to substance use disorder (SUD) patients, creation of regional actions plans, and increased availability of harm reduction services across New Hampshire, as well as addressing the increased need do to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Endowment for Health, a New Hampshire based nonprofit, is the recipient of these funds.