NSA DIDET FAQs

Who is eligible for this training funding?

  • Sheriff’s offices and other law enforcement agencies are encouraged to apply to support the Drug-Impaired Driving Enforcement Training (DIDET) of their deputies / officers.
  • Criminal Justice professionals and related organizations may be allowed to apply for funding with prior approval.

How is funding made possible?

  • Through a cooperative agreement between NSA and NHTSA, funds are made available to qualified applicants to support drug-impaired driving enforcement training
  • Funds can support both:
    • Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) classes, and 
    • Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Training, including the preliminary school, the main school, and the certification training.

Can I use the funding for both ARIDE and DRE Training?

  • Yes, your office/agency is allowed to request funding for one or both types of training.

How is the funding distributed?

  • Awards will be provided in the form of a mutually approved contract between NSA and your sheriff’s office/law enforcement agency.  
  • The funding will be provided for delivery of training services with all allowable expenses to be reimbursed.  
  • Reimbursements will be provided monthly. 
  • Reporting requirements include a brief narrative describing the quantity of students trained, the agencies represented, and a summary of expenses incurred with each monthly invoice.  

What should I know before submitting my application?

  • Funding is intended to ENHANCE or SUPPLEMENT, and NOT replace, existing highway safety funding
  • A letter of acknowledgement from your state DRE Coordinator is optional, but highly recommended. Your DRE State Coordinator can also assist with providing data for your submission, e.g., number of classes/schools offered in the current year; number of DREs in your region, etc.
  • State Highway Safety Office (SHSO) support is also recommended and can be demonstrated with an optional letter of support. Your SHSO can also supply you with information on the sustainability of your program and your deputies / officers training and recertification.

How do I submit an application for funding ARIDE and/or DRE training?

  • Information on NSA’s DIDET funding can be found on our website.
  • You can access NSA’s DIDET Grant Application form here.
  • Ensure that your application includes your Budget, which should be submitted using the provided NSA Budget Worksheet.
  • There will be a way for your Budget Worksheet file to be uploaded and attached to your completed application along with any letters of support. 

What types of information are required for the DIDET application and how will my proposal be scored? 

  • The DIDET application is organized into 5 sections. You can earn up to 100 points from the reviewers. Your application will be scored according to the following criteria:
    • Need: (max score: 30 points) Your application should demonstrate the need for these funds and how this training will benefit your office or agency. Please include the financial need as well as the need for the training of personnel in the applicable course(s). Data on impaired driving in your jurisdiction is also helpful to explain the scope of drug-impaired driving in your area.
    • Budget: (max score: 20 points) Your application must include a clear and detailed budget proposal; the amount devoted to actual training expenses should be maximized. Please use the NSA Budget Worksheet linked to the application.
    • External Reach Area: (max score: 20 points) Your application should explain how you plan to engage and work with other law enforcement offices / agencies in and around your community and your state to make your training(s) inclusive in addition to your own personnel. If this is not possible, please provide a detailed explanation in this section.
    • Work Plan: (max score: 20 points) Please include a detailed explanation of how your office / agency proposes to deliver the impaired driving enforcement training to improve the number of ARIDE and/or DRE trained officers within the allotted time period (12 months). Applicants should include information such as the following:
      • How training class(es) will be marketed to law enforcement;
      • The number of DRE Schools/ARIDE classes that will be offered;
      • The schedule of training events; and
      • The expected attendance for each school and/or class.
    • Growth & Sustainability: (max score: 10 points) This section should include how you plan to measure the impact resulting from the training, as well as sustain the growth after the grant ends. The information provided in this section will require coordination with your SHSO and should describe plans for retention and the future resources available to support recertifications and your DIDET program overall.

Once I submit an application, when can I expect to hear back from NSA on whether or not my application was accepted?

  • NSA has formed a separate review panel to evaluate each application received. It’s anticipated that applications will be reviewed within one month of receipt and notification will be sent to applicants within 6 to 8 weeks from receipt.

How long do I have to spend the funds?

  • Once contracted with NSA, you will have until February 1, 2023, to execute the trainings.
  • Organizations that do not complete the work as outlined in the contract will not be penalized, but will only receive reimbursement for the trainings that have been completed during the contract period. 

If awarded funding, how will the contract be executed? 

  • NSA has created a simple system to reduce any unnecessary burden on awardees.
  • Each successful applicant will be provided with a contract to review and approve.
  • Once NSA has an approved contract with an organization, the awardee will submit a monthly progress report with an invoice and applicable documentation to substantiate expenses incurred, e.g., vendor invoices, product receipts, etc.
  • Awardees can create their own invoice or NSA can provide a template for reporting.
  • Awardees should be prepared to submit an end of year report to include the quantity of classes/schools held and how many students were trained and/or certified.

What are eligible or allowable expenses for using the funds?

  • NSA has created an Allowable Expenses document to assist with your application.
  • Instructor honorariums are allowed, but students’ salaries cannot be covered with the funding for their time committed to the trainings nor can other staff be compensated to cover for the time that the students are away.
  • Expenses for hosting trainings, e.g., room rental, A/V rental, and materials such as training manuals and exam printing costs are all covered, as well as travel costs for students and instructors.
  • Supplies for DRE Schools are covered with the exception of alcoholic beverages. NHTSA has a strict policy prohibiting the purchase of alcoholic substances, but non-alcoholic beverages / mixers would be an example of an acceptable expense.
  • DRE kits are included as covered expenses.
  • If you have additional costs not listed in our Allowable Expenses, you may submit a request for NSA/NHTSA review and approval prior to purchasing.

If you have a question or need additional information, please contact:

Candace Hill, NSA Project Manager
chill@sheriffs.org