For counties evaluating whether to pursue County Community Safety Fund dollars, understanding the mechanics of the application process is critical.

The fund is administered by ODMHSAS through a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Counties may apply directly or designate a fiscal agent, depending on local structure and partnerships.

Successful applications generally include:

• A clear description of the local need
• Data supporting the proposed intervention
• Defined program goals and measurable outcomes
• A realistic budget and implementation timeline
• dentification of community partners
• A plan for oversight and performance tracking

Eligible uses typically include behavioral health services, diversion programming, reentry coordination, treatment initiatives, and other services that promote community safety and stabilization.

While the application framework is structured, competitive proposals require more than filling in blanks. Counties benefit from demonstrating thoughtful planning, coordination among stakeholders, and alignment with evidence-based practices.

Common challenges counties encounter include:

• Limited staff capacity to draft proposals
• Uncertainty about procurement and compliance requirements
• Difficulty gathering cross-agency data
• Questions about long-term sustainability beyond initial funding

This is where strategic support can make a difference.

SOAR Partners assists counties with:

• Needs assessments and data analysis
• Stakeholder coordination
• Funding strategy development
• Proposal drafting and editing
• Budget modeling
• Implementation roadmaps
• Governance and compliance planning

Our role is not to advocate for or against policy positions. Instead, we help local governments make informed, strategic decisions about available resources — and compete effectively when they choose to pursue them.

In our final post, we’ll explore practical examples of how counties can deploy these funds responsibly and effectively.