RFA Frequently Asked Questions

Printable Form:    RFA FAQ's

 

The North Carolina Coalition Initiative:

 Building Capacity for Substance Free Communities

Frequently Asked Questions

Overall focus of NCCI

• What substances can be addressed under the NCCI grant program?

1. Alcohol (not JUST underage alcohol use, but also alcohol-related problems experienced by people of all ages)
2. Misuse of prescription drugs
3. Illicit drugs

Tobacco is not one of the categories being addressed by this effort.

• Will NCCI accept applications from more the one coalition per community or geographic area?

Yes. NCCI will accept multiple applications from the same community or geographic area. However, in an effort to “ensure collaboration and limit duplication with existing community coalitions in prospective communities”, we encourage coalitions to contact one another to determine if collaboration is possible.   

Coalitions that have different focuses may find it challenging to collaborate on the same grant.  If this is the case, please justify why you are not collaborating in the “Planning” section under the Program Narrative. 

Assurance and Certification

• What if the same person is the Coalition Project Director, the Host Agency Director, & Fiscal Agency Director?

This person would sign his or her name on all three lines to indicate that he or she performs all three roles for the coalition. 

• Does the coalition need to have a 501(c)3 status in order to apply for NCCI funding?

 No, the coalition does not have to have a 501(c)3 status; however, it should secure a host or fiscal agency that has a 501(c)3 nonprofit status to oversee the financial management of fund. This fiscal agency would be responsible for receiving the funds and disbursing them to your coalition or organization based on monthly expenses incurred.  Host agency/fiscal agency should be considered carefully to ensure this agency is compatible with the mission and vision of the coalition.   

 

Budget

 

• Can I use NCCI funding as matching funds for federal grants such as Drug Free Communities?

No. According to the Division, given the way these state funds were appropriated (i.e., through a bill passed by the NC General Assembly), the funds are restricted from being used as a match to procure federal dollars.

• Is there a cap on the percentage rate for indirect costs (also known as Facilities and Administrative [F&A] costs)?

The cap for the indirect (or F&A) rate is 10%, which is the limit set by the state.  However, if a coalition/host agency has a federally negotiated rate lower than 10%, that lower rate must be used on the budget worksheet as the amount for Indirect Costs.  A list of allowable costs for F&A will be posted to this Web site once it is made available from the state.

• What are the North Carolina per diem rates to be used for travel expenses?

Below is the per diem rate for both in-state and out-of-state travel (as of 9/7/11). Grantees will be required to submit receipts for reimbursement.  Amounts above the per diem rates will not be reimbursed.

	In-State	Out of State
Breakfast	$ 8.00	$ 8.00
Lunch	$10.45	$10.45
Dinner	$17.90	$20.30
Lodging (actual, up to)	$63.90	$75.60
Total	$100.25	$114.35

  

Mileage: $0.555 per mile

• Can other training be included in the budget?

Yes, other training besides the CADCA Training Academy can be included in your budget as long as you can justify (1) how this training will help you build capacity to implement evidence-based and environmental strategies, and (2) how it is not duplicating what will be covered in the Academy trainings . Please provide such details in your budget narrative.

• If my coalition is selected to be funded by NCCI, when should the coalition expect to receive reimbursements for NCCI expenses?

Based on previous experience, there is generally a two to three month lag between the time the state budget is approved and passed and the execution of our subcontract through the LME.  This, unfortunately, will delay processing your subcontract.  This delay means that your reimbursement of monthly expenses may begin as late as September.  We are hoping to expedite this process; however, your coalition will need to have a two-three month reserve until reimbursement begins. Please contact Montez immediately, if this causes hardship for your coalition.

 

Evaluation

•  I was not able to complete the baseline survey distributed at the February 24^th RFA workshop. Will that affect my chances for getting the grant?

No, completing the baseline survey will not impact your chances of receiving NCCI funding. The survey will provide NCCI an overview of your coalition’s focus, infrastructure and level of activity.

 

Letters of Support

• Who should the “Letters of Support” be written to?

Generally, letters of support are written to the coalition director and states how the individual or organization plans to support the coalition efforts.

 

 

• Do “Letters of Support” have to be specific to this initiative?

Generally, strong letters of support specifically address the initiative the coalition is applying for funding. Applicants may submit letters of support or memorandums of understanding (MOU’s) that were used for recent grant applications such as Drug Free Communities. Please explain your rationale for your decision at the beginning of the letters of support section.

 

• Do “Letters of Support” have to be from coalition members?

Letters of support can be from individuals or organizations who regularly attend coalition meetings, or from partners who are engaged in other ways. For example, the Mayor may write a letter to show how he or she will support your coalition’s efforts to improve the community, although he or she may not regularly attend coalition meetings.

In general, compelling letters of support often provide some indication of the degree of active engagement of the member, such as the amount of time or the duties that will be carried out by that member or supporter.

• Do we have to submit the original letter of support?

 No. Coalitions can submit copies of the original letter of support.

 

Technical Assistance and Training  

• What is the maximum number of people from NCCI funded coalitions that can attend the CADCA Experience Training?

  We ask that you send a minimum of three coalition members. One person, the coordinator, must attend all NCCI mandatory trainings and the other participants can be different based on availability. Additional coalition members may be able to attend depending on facility space and attendance from other coalition members.

  

•  If a PACC became involved in the SPF-SIG initiative later and was not able to participate in the “Learning community”, is the PACC eligible to apply for NCCI funding? (new 2/14/2012)

In this specific situation in which a SPF-SIG county did not receive the intensive training and full funding, then the PACC is eligible to apply. The applicant would need to clearly explain the rationale for the need for NCCI funding to build capacity given that they were involved with SPF SIG. If funded, the grantee would be expected to participate in all aspects of NCCI activities and develop and implement plans that address evidence-based, environmental strategies.

 

• If my PACC received Drug Free Community (DFC) funding, am I eligible to apply for NCCI?  (new 2/14/2012)

Previously and currently funded DFC PACCs receive intensive training similar to that being offered to NCCI funded PACCs. Thus, these PACCs would not be eligible to apply. 

 

• Can an organization that was a fiscal/host agency for a previously funded NCCI PACC be the fiscal agency for a new applicant? (new 2/14/2012)

Yes, an organization that was a fiscal/host agency of a previously or currently funded NCCI can be the fiscal/host agency of a new PACC applicant.

In addition, an organization that has received DFC or SPF SIG funding, is able to be the fiscal/host agency for a PACC in another county that wants to apply for NCCI funding. This PACC would have to hire a separate coordinator/staff and have a coalition committed to participating in all activities required by the NCCI grant.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Overall focus of NCCI

• What substances can be addressed under the NCCI grant program?

 Tobacco is not one of the categories being addressed by this effort.

• Will NCCI accept applications from more the one coalition per community or geographic area?

Yes. NCCI will accept multiple applications from the same community or geographic area. However, in an effort to "ensure collaboration and limit duplication with existing community coalitions in prospective communities", we encourage coalitions to contact one another to determine if collaboration is possible.    

 Coalitions that have different focuses may find it challenging to collaborate on the same grant.  If this is the case, please justify why you are not collaborating in the "Planning" section under the Program Narrative.   

 

 Assurance and Certification

• What if the same person is the Coalition Project Director, the Host Agency Director, & Fiscal Agency Director?

This person would sign his or her name on all three lines to indicate that he or she performs all three roles for the coalition.   

 

• Does the coalition need to have a 501(c)3 status in order to apply for NCCI funding?

No, the coalition does not have to have a 501(c)3 status; however, it should secure a host or fiscal agency that has a 501(c)3 nonprofit status to oversee the financial management of fund. This fiscal agency would be responsible for receiving the funds and disbursing them to your coalition or organization based on monthly expenses incurred.  Host agency/fiscal agency should be considered carefully to ensure this agency is compatible with the mission and vision of the coalition.    

 Financial Management/Budget  

• Can I use NCCI funding as matching funds for federal grants such as Drug Free Communities?

No. According to the Division, given the way these state funds were appropriated (i.e., through a bill passed by the NC General Assembly), the funds are restricted from being used as a match to procure federal dollars.  

• Is there a cap on the percentage rate for indirect costs (also known as Facilities and Administrative [F&A] costs)?

The cap for the indirect (or F&A) rate is 10%, which is the limit set by the state.  However, if a coalition/host agency has a federally negotiated rate lower than 10%, that lower rate must be used on the budget worksheet as the amount for Indirect Costs.  A list of allowable costs for F&A will be posted to this Web site once it is made available from the state.  

• What are the North Carolina per diem rates to be used for travel expenses?

Below is the per diem rate for both in-state and out-of-state travel. Grantees will be required to submit receipts for reimbursement.  Amounts above the per diem rates will not be reimbursed.  

Rates as of 1/1/2012
	In-State	Out of State
Breakfast	$ 8.00	$ 8.00
Lunch	$10.45	$10.45
Dinner	$17.90	$20.30
Lodging (actual, up to)	$63.90	$75.60
Total	$100.25	$114.35

   

  

 Mileage: $0.555 per mile

 

• Can other training be included in the budget?

Yes, other training besides the CADCA Training Academy can be included in your budget as long as you can justify (1) how this training will help you build capacity to implement evidence-based and environmental strategies, and (2) how it is not duplicating what will be covered in the Academy trainings. Please provide such details in your budget narrative.  

 

 Evaluation

•  I was not able to complete the baseline survey distributed at the February 24^th 2012 RFA workshop. Will that affect my chances for getting the grant?

No, completing the baseline survey will not impact your chances of receiving NCCI funding. The survey will provide NCCI an overview of your coalition's focus, infrastructure and level of activity.  

 

Letters of Support

• Who should the "Letters of Support" be written to?

Generally, letters of support are written to the coalition director and states how the individual or organization plans to support the coalition efforts.  

   

• Do "Letters of Support" have to be specific to this initiative?

Generally, strong letters of support specifically address the initiative the coalition is applying for funding. Applicants may submit letters of support or memorandums of understanding (MOU's) that were used for recent grant applications such as Drug Free Communities. Please explain your rationale for your decision at the beginning of the letters of support section.  

 

• Do "Letters of Support" have to be from coalition members?

Letters of support can be from individuals or organizations who regularly attend coalition meetings, or from partners who are engaged in other ways. For example, the Mayor may write a letter to show how he or she will support your coalition's efforts to improve the community, although he or she may not regularly attend coalition meetings.

In general, compelling letters of support often provide some indication of the degree of active engagement of the member, such as the amount of time or the duties that will be carried out by that member or supporter.

  

• Do we have to submit the original letter of support?

No. Coalitions can submit copies of the original letter of support.  

 

 Technical Assistance and Training      

• What is the maximum number of people from NCCI funded coalitions that can attend the CADCA Experience Training? 

 We ask that you send a minimum of three coalition members. One person, the coordinator, must attend all NCCI mandatory trainings and the other participants can be different based on availability. Additional coalition members may be able to attend depending on facility space and attendance from other coalition members.

Eligibility

• If a PACC became involved in the SPF-SIG initiative later and was not able to participate in the "Learning community", is the PACC eligible to apply for NCCI funding? (new 2/14/2012)

In this specific situation in which a SPF-SIG county did not receive the intensive training and full funding, then the PACC is eligible to apply. The applicant would need to clearly explain the rationale for the need for NCCI funding to build capacity given that they were involved with SPF SIG. If funded, the grantee would be expected to participate in all aspects of NCCI activities and develop and implement plans that address evidence-based, environmental strategies.

 

• If my PACC received Drug Free Community (DFC) funding, am I eligible to apply for NCCI?  (new 2/14/2012)

Previously and currently funded DFC PACCs receive intensive training similar to that being offered to NCCI funded PACCs. Thus, these PACCs would not be eligible to apply. 

 

• Can an organization that was a fiscal/host agency for a previously funded NCCI PACC be the fiscal agency for a new applicant? (new 2/14/2012)

Yes, an organization that was a fiscal/host agency of a previously or currently funded NCCI can be the fiscal/host agency of a new PACC applicant.

In addition, an organization that has received DFC or SPF SIG funding, is able to be the fiscal/host agency for a PACC in another county that wants to apply for NCCI funding. This PACC would have to hire a separate coordinator/staff and have a coalition committed to participating in all activities required by the NCCI grant.