Project CHOICES - Request For Interest

February 2, 2010

Dear Colleague:

In 2008, the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) was awarded Federal funding by Northrop Grumman to implement "Project CHOICES," an evidence-based initiative designed to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) with women of child-bearing age enrolled in substance abuse treatment.

This five year project began in February 2008 and will conclude in May 2012. Over this project period, there will be a total of eight sites participating in Project CHOICES. OASAS is now soliciting interest from certified treatment providers for Year III. We are recruiting providers who annually enroll and serve at a minimum, 40-45 women between 18-44 years old who are in treatment for a minimum of six months. Applicants not chosen to participate in Year III will be considered for funding in 2011 (Year IV).

Contracts with Year III providers will begin in July 2010, with training in Project CHOICES and Motivational Interviewing (MI) from nationally recognized trainers and researchers. In addition to the MI training offered, participating providers will learn the Project CHOICES intervention for women that can easily fit within the current treatment protocols. Participating providers will receive a range of technical assistance to support their efforts, including training from the OASAS Project Team. To enhance changes in the organizational environment, the MI and FASD training is also offered to providers' staff who will be trained to present this information to clients and other staff.

The selected providers will receive a small financial stipend to assist with Project implementation and data collection activities. Contracts will be awarded through the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene (RFMH) which serves as OASAS' fiscal agent for this award. An OASAS Project Team will provide Project oversight. The initial contract period will begin July 1, 2010 for a 12-month period, with the possibility of continued funding through May 2012. Funding is contingent on provider performance and availability of funding.

A description of the project's key components (Attachment I) are available for your reference. Please complete the Application (Attachment II) and submit it to OASAS by March 5, 2010. A conference call will be held on February 11, 2010 from 1-2 pm, to answer applicable questions. The call-in conference call number is 1-888-422-7128. Providers selected to participate in Year III will be notified and requested to submit a detailed budget and work plan. Please feel free to contact Margo B. Singer, Project Director, at 518-457-4384 with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo
Commissioner