Long Island nonprofits targeting youth substance abuse find grant payouts slowed by DOGE

New procedures to obtain already awarded federal grant money have caused confusion and funding delays for two Long Island nonprofits focused on preventing youth substance abuse — one has recently found a solution after weeks of waiting, and the other is still looking for answers.

The Rockville Centre Coalition for Youth faced hurdles that, until a breakthrough earlier this month, were pushing the agency toward a financial crisis, according to project coordinator Ruthanne McCormack.

Meanwhile, an official with Lindenhurst Community Cares Coalition Inc. said that agency is facing weekslong delays for federal grant drawdowns that used to be wired overnight. 

The Lindenhurst coalition's executive director, Lori-Ann Novello, said in the past, government oversight was more limited.

"You give them the work plan and you are going to go forward as a professional and stick to this work plan,” Novello said. “They don't have to approve every day because they approved everything up front."

A spokeswoman for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — the federal agency overseeing payouts — defended the new procedures. She said they were intended to add transparency and ensure grant spending is consistent with what had been approved.

New requirements under DOGE

Over the past 10 years, McCormack has drawn down funds from federal grants using a payment management system. Money needed for the agency's work was generally transferred overnight by the federal government.

McCormack said that changed when the Department of Government Efficiency got involved. The problems started in the spring, she said. 

For nearly a month, when she submitted requests online to access grant money, she said, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent her back a form email asking for more information.

McCormack said she would "copy and paste the exact language that was in our approved budget narrative” and send it back.

Until Newsday made inquiries two weeks ago with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency under HHS, about the situation, McCormack said she had been unable to reach anyone in federal government who could help resolve the matter.

At issue was a drawdown request for about $15,000 that covered costs including new computers and payments for data analysis, she said. 

McCormack said the day after Newsday contacted SAMHSA, the grant administrator reached out to her with detailed instructions on how to submit requests for drawdowns.

"I just canceled the payment [request] and then I resubmitted every other line item separately," McCormack said. That appeared to work, she said. 

The spokeswoman from SAMHSA said in an email the department implemented new grant payment oversight requirements in March under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. That executive order put DOGE officials in an oversight role over grant administration.

The spokeswoman also said in the email each drawdown request must explain its purpose.

Novello said the extra reporting and requests for additional information are a burden for small community coalitions with tiny staffs.

"We don't have a special accounting department ... it's like: me," she said. "I'm running four events and trying to go back and forth for them.”

Local politicians take notice

Rep. Laura Gillen, in a statement two weeks ago, said she reached out to the Trump administration to express her concerns with the delays McCormack's Rockville Centre agency had been facing.

On Friday, Gillen said in a statement she was informed the coalition's outstanding funding requests had been processed.

"The coalition's work helps our children live healthy, safe lives and I am delighted that this funding is headed back to our community," she said.

The White House press office did not respond to a Newsday request for comment.

Last year, HHS awarded the grant to the Rockville Centre Coalition for Youth through an affiliated organization, RVC Youth Council, to provide $375,000 over five years under the Partnerships for Success program.

McCormack told the Hempstead Town Board about the coalition's difficulties at the board meeting May 27, before the funding was obtained. Hempstead Councilwoman Laura Ryder praised the agency's work.

"I'd like to thank you — your coalition has made a tremendous effort and a tremendous difference within your community," Ryder said, noting it attended a town-sponsored training event for Narcan, a nasal spray used to counter opioid overdoses. "You can count on the Town of Hempstead to support your coalition."

Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr. said, "Thank you for your great work."