Substance Use & Recovery · Implementation · 5 min read
How can substance use and recovery programs sustain RHTP-funded programs after 2030?
RHTP funds only through FY2030, so substance use and recovery programs should design for sustainability from the start, building reimbursable models, demonstrating savings, and embedding programs into ongoing operations rather than treating the grant as permanent.
The cliff to plan around
$50 billion flows over five federal fiscal years (FY2026–FY2030), then stops. Programs that cannot show retention and engagement data struggle to compete; build measurement in from day one.
Sustainability levers
For substance use and recovery programs, durable models usually rely on:
- Tying the program to reimbursable services or value-based contracts
- Proving savings or quality gains via treatment initiation and engagement rates
- Embedding the work in core operations, not a separate grant team
- Lining up co-investment or bridge funding before the cliff
Frequently asked questions
- When should sustainability planning start?
- At design time. Programs built only for the grant period rarely survive the funding cliff.
Figures reflect the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program NOFO and the December 2025 award announcement. RHTP Tracker is an independent resource by Moodr Health and is not affiliated with CMS.