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KFA board adopts $22 million guiding budget, approves MOUD and responsive grant RFPs
Summary
The Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board unanimously adopted a $22 million guiding budget and approved a responsive grant packet and a MOUD-focused RFP (opening May 4), removing a restrictive experience requirement to broaden eligibility; the board also granted a 12-month extension to KUMC.
The Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board on April 1 unanimously approved a $22 million guiding budget and cleared two grant actions intended to expand access to treatment for substance use disorders.
The board adopted the $22 million plan as a planning tool, not a legislative appropriation, and approved the distribution by pillar: $3,000,000 for the responsive grant program; $15,465,000 for evidence-based scaling; and $3,535,000 for innovation and catalytic projects. Sandra moved to adopt the budget and Robin seconded; the vote was unanimous.
Board members also approved a responsive grant packet and its scoring rubric (staff-developed) and voted to approve a separate request for proposals focused on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The MOUD RFP, which staff said is expected to open May 4 and close June 5, will make up to $5 million available in total and allow awards of up to $500,000 per year under a likely two-year award structure. "This grant program we currently have the on the summary potential opening date of May 4th and then it would be a quarterly review cycle," staff told the board.
During debate, board members asked staff to remove a bullet that would have limited eligibility to organizations with prior MOUD experience. Members said that requirement could exclude primary care and rural providers who are positioned to expand access with modest support. The board agreed to strike the restrictive language and to keep application questions that ask applicants to describe current capacity, licensure and steps already taken to prepare to provide MOUD.
The packet also includes five MOUD-specific reporting indicators staff will require of awardees, and the board discussed using grant progress reporting to better estimate how many people with opioid use disorder receive medications in Kansas. Staff noted the board's needs assessment shows a low rate of MOUD coverage and committed to collecting screening and service data from grantees to refine that estimate.
Separately the board approved a grantee modification. Krista described a KUMC request for an additional 12-month extension to wrap up a project started Nov. 1, 2023; roughly $25,000 of unspent funds remain. Ken moved to grant the extension; Michael seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Board members and staff discussed outreach for the RFPs: postings on the KFA webpage and listservs (including the needs-assessment list), targeted notices through stakeholder networks such as the Behavioral Health Association of Kansas, community action programs, the Governor's Behavioral Health Services Planning Council, KDADS, FQHC and hospital associations, and a potential press release coordinated with the Attorney General's Office.
Why it matters: The budget and new RFPs direct the board's grantmaking priorities for the coming year and are intended to expand low-threshold MOUD access statewide, including in rural areas. By removing the restrictive "experience" bullet, the board signaled willingness to consider applicants that can demonstrate readiness to deliver MOUD even if they do not have an extensive prior track record.
The board did not adopt any changes to statutory language; staff said the FY2026 budget proviso endorsing K-TRACS integration remains a separate legislative item under consideration. The board adjourned after brief planning for the May meeting and calendar of quarterly review cycles.
