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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
I. Introductions/Overview
Providers of mental health services are invited to submit a proposal addressing the provision
of school-based therapy and/or the provision of Community Support services in Macon
County Schools. Findings of the Macon County Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) report
indicate that access for youth to mental health services is a priority need. It is the intent of
the Macon County Mental Health Task Force to develop a cohesive plan for service delivery
of the continuum of mental health services. To that end, the MHTF recommended that its
School Based Mental Health subcommittee develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) that
would provide for consistent access to mental health services in the schools for youth and
families in need. Access at school to these services should result in the following outcomes:
- increased student attendance,
- improved academic achievement in the least restrictive environment,
- decreased suspension and expulsions, and
- a reduction in the number of youth being introduced into the juvenile court
system.
In addition, access at school should create better transitions for students between school and
mental health programs.
Macon County Schools is seeking a provider who will develop a plan to improve the quality
of services now provided to youth in Macon County using the schools as a vehicle to support
access to these services. Implementation of these services specifically defined in this RFP is
to begin directly following fund appropriation and provider selection.
II. Description of Services
Macon County Schools is seeking a provider for school-based mental health services during
the 2008-2009 school year. Implementation is tentatively scheduled for January 15, 2009,
with date subject to change if funding appropriation processes have not been completed.
Initial implementation is suggested to be 4 (four) therapists and 8 (eight) paraprofessionals
who will carry out the following services as described below:
- School-based therapy:
Upon selection, the provider must have the capacity to
immediately begin service provision, and must have a plan to expand therapy services
on-site to all Macon County Schools during the 2008-2009 school year. Therapists will
receive referrals from school personnel, work as members of collaborative teams,
provide individual and group therapy, and provide education and support for families.
Therapists’ placements in schools are coordinated by an oversight team of school and
agency representatives who meet regularly and review services and supervision issues.
Individual, group, and family therapies available should include (but are not limited to):
anger management; conflict resolution; social skills training; organization and self
management; substance abuse therapy; coping strategies for grief and loss; stress
management; and parenting skills.
- Community Support:
The selected Provider would implement Community Support
services consistent with North Carolina mental health definitions and Medicaid
reimbursement regulations. Services to students and families would include
development and implementation of Person Centered Plans, implementation of
individual Behavior Intervention Plans, safety/crisis services, caregiver support and
education, and other services that may be provided to on-site provider personnel. The
Provider will also be responsible for supervisory support as needed during student crises,
and Provider will work in conjunction with school personnel coordinated by the
Specialists for Exceptional Children’s Programs and Student Support Services. The
Provider would adhere to formal agreements with Macon County Schools related to
accountability, documentation, intervention strategies, and supervision/program
oversight guidelines. Services and program accountability will be defined by a formal
Memorandum of Agreement between the Provider and Macon County Schools.
III. Agency Background/Policies
Agencies submitting proposals should include a description of their overall background and
philosophy of services to children and families. This section should outline the program’s
goals and how services are supervised and monitored (including client/service provider
ratios). The agency must demonstrate their ability to collaborate with all necessary and
appropriate school personnel, other mental health/substance abuse providers, and community
stakeholders. A history of the agency’s services and recommendations from other
individuals receiving services and from other community agencies with which the agency
collaborates will be considered when reviewing proposals.
IV. Expected Outcomes
Macon County is seeking a service provider who would ensure that program outcomes are
explicitly defined and services to be provided are clearly described within the requested
proposal. Agencies should describe how the services would meet the needs of the entire
Macon County Schools District. Include within the proposal the following information:
- how Provider will create and build a professional working relationship with all
necessary and appropriate Macon County School system personnel.
- how Provider will comply with the level of service as outlined in the
Introduction/Overview and Description of services section of the RFP, and list
examples of previous demonstrated ability to comply with such, including staff
recruitment.
- protocols and procedures regarding how and under what circumstances Provider
would refuse to provide services to a consumer/family;
- methods Provider will use to train appropriate school personnel in relevant mental
health and substance abuse topics;
- Provider’s specific response capacity in emergent/urgent/routine requests for
services;
- how Provider’s philosophy and practices match/fit within Macon County
Schools’ efforts to participate in state initiatives such as the Positive Behavior
Supports Model and the Response to Interventions Model leading to success for
all students;
- Provider’s plan for serving non-insured students (those not covered by Medicaid,
Health Choice or private insurance);
- how Provider can accommodate the unique needs of Macon County Schools
system (4,300+ students, 12 schools).
V. Itemized Budget
Agencies submitting proposals must include the following information:
- an itemized budget with the following: projected revenue generated from
Medicaid/Health Choice, state funds, and additional funds needed (if any) to
provide the scope of services; and projected expenses;
- anticipated average cost per visit and average cost per student;
- a narrative providing budget justifications.
VI. Program Evaluation
Agencies submitting proposals must demonstrate the ability to monitor and evaluate the
impact of the service implementation. Describe in detail how Provider will:
- evaluate the services provided under this proposed contract; and
- provide program evaluation updates on a monthly basis to the district office,
- assess its impact and success within Macon County Schools.
VII. Personnel Notification/Evaluation
The Macon County School System requires all provider agency personnel working within a
school setting to have a criminal background check prior to beginning to work in the schools
or serving the students. In addition, the Macon County School System expects staff to meet
high qualification and quality standards. Explain in detail how the provider will ensure
quality and accountability of all its personnel working with students in Macon County
Schools.
VIII. Personnel Training
Appropriate Macon County School System personnel receive the Crisis Preventions
Institute’s (CPI) training in verbal de-escalation techniques and physical restraints.
Individuals providing Therapeutic and Community Support services to consumers in the
schools must have proof of up-to-date training in Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention
(CPI) or a comparable program. This would include a minimum of eight (8) hours initial
training and a minimum of five (5) hour refresher course each year. Agencies submitting
proposals should describe how they will assure these regulations are followed.
IX. Proposal Evaluation/Scoring
- Description of Services
- School-based Therapy – 10 points
- Community Support – 10 points
- Agency Background/Policies – 10 points
- Expected Outcomes – 40 points
- Itemized Budget – 10 points
- Program Evaluation – 10 points
- Personnel Notification/Evaluation – 5 points
- Personnel Training – 5 points
Total Score 100 points
X. Timeline for the RFP and Provider Selection Processes:
- Thursday, September 25, 2008: Publication and distribution of RFP
- Thursday, October 2, 2008: Bidders’ Conference for any provider agencies
interested in submitting a proposal. This meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 2, 2008, at the Macon County Schools Administrative Offices at
1202 Old Murphy Road, Franklin, NC 28734 (For directions call: 828.524.3314).
Questions may be submitted in writing prior to the meeting to Kathy McGaha at
1830 Lakeside Drive, Franklin, NC 28734 or by email at kmcgaha@maconnc.org.
- Monday, October 13, 2008: A Letter of Intent is due to the front desk of the Macon
County Public Health Center, 1830 Lakeside Drive, Franklin, NC 28734 by 5:00
p.m., October 13, 2008.
- Thursday, November 20, 2008: All proposals for this contract are due to the front
desk of the Macon County Health Department, at 1830 Lakeside Drive, Franklin, NC
28734, by 5:00 p.m., November 20, 2008.
- All proposals must be delivered complete and in English in the following
format:
Entire Proposal - Funding Model and Program/Service Delivery Model -
- must be in a sealed box/envelope with Provider Name, address,
telephone number, and signature on the top/front of the package.
- Must have the title of this RFP ("School Based Mental Health
Services - Kathy McGaha") clearly marked on the top/front of the
package.
- Proposed Funding Model
- Proposed Funding Model must be separated from the
Program/Service Delivery Model Narrative.
- Proposed Funding Model, 6 printed copies and one electronic copy in
Microsoft Word/Excel or PDF format, must be in sealed envelope
and labeled with Provider name
- Proposed Program/Service Delivery Model Narrative and supporting
documents (not to include any funding information)
- 6 (six) total printed copies in notebooks
- 1 (electronic) copy in Microsoft Word/Excel or PDF format
- All narrative must be in single spaced 12-point type
- A maximum of 10 pages not including supporting documentation
- Provider name and address clearly marked on each copy
- The first page of the original must have the original signature(s) of
the officer(s) who will be accountable for all representations.
Unsigned proposals will be considered invalid.
- Any proposals received after November 20, 2008, 5:00 p.m. WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED.
- Proposals may be submitted in advance to Kathy McGaha at 1830 Lakeside
Drive, Franklin, NC 29734.
- Thursday, December 4, 2008, RFP Review Team: the School Based Mental Health
Services RFP Review Team will complete its recommendation to the full Macon
County Mental Health Task Force.
- Friday, December 19, 2008: The Macon County Mental Health Task Force will
decide which proposal is its recommendation to the Macon County Commissioners.
- January Meeting: The Macon County Commissioners will hear the
recommendation of the MHTF, decide on choice of Provider, and make all necessary
decisions regarding allocation of funds.
- To be determined: Announcement to chosen Provider and to public, based on
allocation of funds.
- To be determined: Implementation of services in schools begins, tentatively
Monday, February 2, 2008, based on allocation of funds.
Following submission of the RFP from interested agencies a panel review and selection
process will be held. Implementation of the program is contingent upon successful
appropriation of necessary funds.
The Invitation for Bids form above is a display copy only
For a functional copy (Adobe Acrobat Reader) click this link. Thank You
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