Advocate. Collaborate. Educate
The Advocate. Collaborate. Educate. (A.C.E.™) Initiative is intended to slay the behavioral health stigma, especially as it relates to historically marginalized populations that are reentering their communities after periods of incarceration.
The A.C.E.™ Initiative
The A.C.E.™ Initiative (Advocate. Collaborate. Educate.) advances a statewide Peer Support professional movement rooted in lived experience. Through advocacy, collaboration, and education, A.C.E. strengthens the recovery workforce—particularly among historically marginalized populations disproportionately impacted by substance use and justice involvement.
A.C.E. provides support, training, and technical assistance to Statewide Opioid Response (SOR) programs and community partners across North Carolina. The initiative also administers targeted impact grants designed to expand and sustain a trauma-informed Peer Support workforce, increasing access to recovery services in underserved communities.
The A.C.E.™ Community Impact Fund
The A.C.E.™ Community Impact Fund is a strategic investment in community-based agencies and local stakeholders working to strengthen the reentry and recovery ecosystem across North Carolina.
At both the organizational and individual level, the CIF provides learning opportunities designed to:
Empower formerly incarcerated and other marginalized individuals to become Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS)
Support CPSS in advancing to Community Health Worker (CHW) roles
Strengthen skills in advocacy, team building, trauma-informed practice, motivational interviewing, and addressing social determinants of health
The CIF also expands capacity beyond professional roles by offering training opportunities for community members who support reentry efforts through volunteer engagement or paid employment. By building workforce pathways and community-based leadership, the CIF strengthens sustainable, trauma-informed supports for historically marginalized populations.
How to Apply
An application must be received by Operation Gateway, Inc., 30 days prior to any event. Applications are funded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are to be submitted electronically, will be reviewed, and a decision will be rendered within 10 business days of receipt.
To apply for the A.C.E.™ Community Impact Fund, complete the provided online application. You will be notified of a decision within 5 business days of submission.
