Franklin County seeks to expand the county’s co-responder program by embedding certified recovery specialists (CRS) into its existing multi-jurisdictional model to provide peer engagement, recovery linkage, and post-crisis support.
Donor Name: Franklin County
State: Pennsylvania
County: Franklin County (PA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/08/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The purpose of this grant is to expand Franklin County’s existing Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) CoResponder Program by embedding two full-time Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) into the current multijurisdictional model. These peer professionals will work alongside mental health co responders, law enforcement, courts, probation, and behavioral-health agencies to respond to individuals experiencing substance use or co-occurring crises. CRSs will provide real-time peer engagement, deflection from arrest, linkage to treatment and recovery housing, and ongoing follow-up to ensure continuity of care and reduce repeat crisis contacts. This expansion builds upon Franklin County’s proven Co-Responder infrastructure, transforming immediate crisis response into a sustained recovery pathway and promoting a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented public safety system.
The County of Franklin, PA, referred to as RFP Solicitor or County, is requesting proposals from agencies, referred to as Contractors, capable of providing an added layer of peer-based recovery support to reduce justice involvement, increase engagement in treatment, and strengthen recovery outcomes for individuals with substance use and co-occurring needs. This initiative directly supports the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) statewide priority to strengthen deflection, diversion, and recovery-oriented responses for individuals with substance use disorders.
Grant Period
January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Requirements
Specific responsibilities of the selected Contractor(s) will include:
- Immediate Engagement: CRSs will respond in coordination with Co-Responders to law-enforcement and courtinvolved individuals experiencing substance use crises. Drawing from lived experience, they will provide non-clinical de-escalation, emotional support, and recovery-oriented peer connection at the point of contact.
- Deflection and Diversion: CRSs will facilitate immediate linkage to treatment, recovery housing, and harm-reduction resources, helping to reduce unnecessary arrests, jail admissions, and emergency department utilization.
- Follow-Up and Case Navigation: Following crisis resolution, CRSs will maintain ongoing contact with individuals, assist with scheduling and transportation to treatment, recovery housing, or community resource centers, and ensure continuity of care through coordination with SCA case management, treatment providers, and recovery supports.
- Early Identification: In partnership with school Student Assistance Program (SAP) liaisons and the Healthy Community Partnership of Franklin County, CRSs will support early intervention for youth demonstrating risk factors for substance use or family-related stress, expanding prevention and connection at Sequential Intercept 0.
- System Coordination: CRSs will participate in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trainings, multidisciplinary case reviews, and community partner meetings to enhance inter-agency communication, reduce duplication, and strengthen shared accountability for outcomes. CRSs will collect and report required program data in coordination with theCounty’s designated CIT Coordinator.
For more information, visit Franklin County.
