Rural Advancement for Maryland Peers (RAMP) Program Application Frequently Asked Questions - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Is the grant reimbursement-based?

Yes, funds are disbursed to subgrantees on a reimbursement basis after approved expenses are incurred and invoiced, quarterly.

Does an applicant or partner need to be an approved facilitator with Maryland Addiction and Behavioral Health Professionals Certification Board (MABPCB)?

While applicants and/or partners do not need to be MABPCB-approved Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) training providers at the time of application, they must be approved by the time training occurs. Please keep in mind, MABPCB review to approve trainings takes time, so RAMP applicants should plan accordingly. To submit a training or Continuing Education Unit (CEU) curriculum to MABPCB for review and approval, please visit: https://www.mabpcb.com/ceu-training-submission.

Can a for-profit organization apply directly as the lead applicant for RAMP funding?

Yes, for-profit organizations may serve as the lead applicant. All proposals will be reviewed to ensure that they align with the Maryland Opioid Restitution Fund policies.

What is the reporting frequency?

RAMP subgrantees will submit quarterly activity and expenditure reports to the RAMP Program Manager. Reporting templates for both activity and fiscal reports will be made available at the start of the grant project.

Can our organization be both the applicant and one of the three employer partners?

Yes, as long as the organization can meet both the applicant and employer requirements. Applicants will need to demonstrate in a letter of commitment that as both the applicant and employer, they will provide internships and/or employment to participants working towards CPRS certification through the RAMP grant program.

Is there a minimum and maximum number of RAMP program participants that applicants are required to serve?

There is no set minimum or maximum number of participants a program is required to serve through the RAMP funds.

What is the expected cost per participant?

There is no expected cost per participant. MD Labor determines the cost per participant by taking the total award amount requested and dividing it by the number of participants served by the grant. MD Labor will determine if calculated cost per participant is reasonable based on the entirety of the program being proposed by the applicant.

Can one year of apprenticeship count toward 500 hours of CPRS internship?

Prospective RAMP applicants should consult the MABPCB Certified Peer Recovery Specialist training page to ensure that their programs meet the requirements for individuals to qualify to take the peer certification exam.

Is the purchase of E-Bikes, E-Scooters, etc. an allowable cost if they are used to provide transportation to participants?

Vehicles are not an allowable expense per the RAMP policy and as defined in Maryland state law, Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 11-176 (West).

My organization will be venturing into this space for the first time, does that put us at a disadvantage?

While having an existing network or program structure can offer certain advantages, every organization has to start somewhere. The goal of the RAMP program is to expand the peer recovery workforce, which means bringing new individuals and organizations into this important work. We encourage fresh perspectives and welcome applicants who are new to this field. Your enthusiasm and unique experiences are valuable assets to this effort.

Do employer partners need to be located in rural counties?

It is strongly encouraged for lead applicants to form partnerships with employers in rural counties. All attempts should be made to connect program participants to internships and/or employment close to where they live. If that is not possible, the lead applicant should explain in their narrative application how they selected their employer partners and what, if any, provisions will be made to ensure that participants can travel to internship and/or employment sites with ease.

Do applicants have to match funds and if so, how much?

No, applicants are not required to match funds or provide leveraged funding. While leveraged funding is not required, it is encouraged. Applicants must demonstrate funding to cover the full cost of the peer certification process including training, materials, and examination fees.

For Question 11 on the application, applicants are asked to provide an organization profile and describe any experience related to recruiting or training peers, or indicate “N/A” if none. If I don’t have direct experience in those areas, should I still include an organization profile and highlight other relevant experience that demonstrates my strengths as an applicant?

Yes, if the applicant does not have direct experience in the peer training space, they should still include a profile of the organization. Applicants are also welcome to highlight any relevant experience that demonstrates their capacity and skills to fulfil the RAMP grant objectives.

Can the outreach and recruitment partners overlap with the proposed employer partners? If so, do they need separate letters of commitment for employment and outreach?

Yes, a partner organization can serve as both an outreach and recruitment partner and an employer partner as long as they meet the criteria of both partnerships outlined in the RAMP policy issuance. If a partner plans to serve in both of these roles, a letter of commitment for each partner role is necessary to demonstrate how they will provide outreach and recruitment, and how they will provide employment and/or internships for program participants.

Can our organization be both the applicant and one of the two outreach and recruitment partners?

Yes, as long as the organization can meet both the applicant and outreach and recruitment partner requirements outlined in the RAMP policy. Applicants will need to demonstrate in a letter of commitment that as both the applicant and the outreach and recruitment partner, they will support the outreach and recruitment components of the project.

Are the grant dollars from a federal source that is coming into the states?

No, the grant dollars are not from a federal source. In partnership with the Maryland Office of Overdose Response, the RAMP program is funded through Maryland’s Opioid Restitution Fund.

Is the applicant required to hire additional staff or can current staff be reallocated for education and training?

The applicant is not required to hire additional staff. Reallocating current staff to support the RAMP grant activities is permitted.

Can we provide participants with a flat stipend for supportive services?

Stipends, which offer program participants a fixed cash payment, may be an allowable supportive service when the subgrantee has a substantiated reason to believe that the payment is necessary to the program participant’s successful completion of program activities. If a subgrantee wishes to implement stipends, it must notify MD Labor staff and provide a written proposal to explain and justify the proposed stipend and explain how the subgrantee will verify that the stipend is being used on supportive services. MD Labor staff will then review the proposal and make a determination as to whether the stipend would be appropriate for inclusion as a supportive service.

Is an audit required as part of the grant?

Audits are conducted at MD Labor’s discretion as part of ongoing monitoring or post-award compliance. The Maryland Office of Overdose Response may also conduct audits.

How do we become a SNAP Employment & Training Vendor?

The Maryland Department of Human Services is not currently accepting applications for prospective SNAP E&T vendors. For future reference, information about how to become a SNAP E&T vendor can typically be found on the DHS website.

Do the 30 supervised hours required for the CPRS certification need to be provided by the employer partner, or can the hours be completed through the lead applicant’s Registered Peer Supervisor (RPS)?

The lead applicant and/or the employer partner can provide the required 30 hours of supervision as long as they are provided by an RPS and meet the requirements outlined on the MABPCB Certified Peer Recovery Specialist training page.

How long are training and employment services expected to continue for program participants?

As it pertains to the RAMP grant opportunity, the lead applicant is expected to provide services to program participants for the duration of the period of performance. Applicants must provide clear and direct strategies for participants seeking peer specialist opportunities or other mid-level behavioral health roles, including strategies for participants to retain employment within the field.

Is food an allowable cost in the event that we need to host trainees in person for the trainings?

Yes, while food may be an allowable cost, grantees should obtain prior approval from MD Labor.