Board debates partnership language in grant draft amid equity concerns

Board members argued over whether the application should encourage partnerships, with at least one member urging removal of language that might advantage established providers. "So, I would say that I would move to remove that if that's kind of what we're, we are insinuating that it would be advantageous for companies to partner," a member objected during review of the priority criteria.

OMB staff said encouraging partnerships is a common grant practice to maximize funding for service delivery but confirmed the language is a recommendation rather than a requirement. Dr. Valencia Campbell said reviewers can probe claims during evaluation rather than rely on the written language alone: reviewers "can decide based on, you know, what they're actually saying they're doing," she said, urging that the review process will surface whether partnerships are substantive.