Frequently Asked Questions

SUPRT-A is required for all clients receiving services under the grant. A client is defined as a person who is actively receiving treatment through a grant funded program. An episode of care begins when the client begins to receive services under the grant, as defined by the program, and ends when the client is closed out and no longer receiving services through the grantee’s project.

Yes, grantees must complete SUPRT-A for every client for each of the assessment types even if the client refused to complete SUPRT-C.

Grantees are required to complete SUPRT-A for each of the required assessments, even if a client completes SUPRT-C. The only exception is SUPRT-A Section F. The demographics section at baseline is not completed if a client or caregiver initially consented to completing the SUPRT-C for their baseline assessment and then declined, even if they only answered one question.

Yes, a client can re-enroll in services and start a new episode of care. For each episode of care, a new baseline is conducted. The client then has new reassessment and annual assessment due dates. The same unique Client ID is used for every new episode of care.

Yes, both assessments are required regardless of the amount of time between the two, however, a client’s last day of services cannot be the same date as the first day of services.

No, if a client has a closeout assessment before or during the reassessment window, then grantees do not need to complete future reassessments or annual assessments.

The closeout assessment is to indicate that a client’s episode of care has ended. The closeout assessment should be completed and entered or batch uploaded to SPARS within 30 days of the client episode closeout.

For programs with a conclusion of episode of care policy or definition: Follow inter-program policy that defines at what point a client is considered to be disengaged from grant services or has completed treatment. The closeout assessment can be completed on that date and up to 30 days afterwards. 

For programs without a conclusion of episode of care policy or definition: Grantees should complete a closeout assessment for any client that has not received any grant services for 12 or more months. If during the annual assessment it is determined that a client has not received any services within the previous 12 months, a close out record should be completed instead of an annual assessment. Grantees should refer to their NOFO or contact their GPO for further guidance.

Collect Data on Paper: The SUPRT-A and SUPRT-C should be collected on paper and then entered in the DBH online data collection platform. It minimizes loss of data, allows for better rapport with clients, and retains a permanent record of responses.

Agencies are recommended to keep a tracking spreadsheet outside of the portal of all clients who receive SOS programming. This data management practice helps staff to track client identifiers, monitor upcoming assessments, cross-check data entry, track client close out, and provide records in case of an audit. GRC has a blank example spreadsheet available for download that can be modified for SUPRT data collection.

It depends on whether the client is still receiving SOS 4.0 services. If an SOS 4.0 client with a GPRA baseline record is:

• Still receiving services, collect the 6-month SUPRT-A reassessment and annual SUPRT-A when due. These clients will not be required to complete the SUPRT-C forms (Note: this only applies to clients with a GPRA baseline. This requirement may change for clients with a SUPRT-A baseline assessment after October 1, 2025). 
• No longer receiving SOS 4.0-funded services, you are required to use the SUPRT-A closeout, even if the baseline and 6-month reassessment records were completed using the GPRA tool.

This client is a new SOS 4.0 client. Collect the SUPRT-A and C according to guidance for new SOS 4.0 clients.

For new SOS 4.0 clients, use the SUPRT-A and SUPRT-C for assessments. See the corresponding SUPRT-A QxQ Guide and SUPRT-C QxQ Guide from SAMHSA for support with implementation. Note: DBH handles all interfaces with SPARS for Ohio awardees.