Opioid Treatment Augmentation with Mental Health Services

STATE OF VERMONT
AGENCY OF HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Request for Proposal is to obtain proposals for the statewide coordination and implementation of evidence-based practices for co-occurring disorders (substance use disorders and mental illness) with a special focus on identifying and responding to individuals with mental illness who are at risk of or are currently engaged in opioid misuse. The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking an organization that will work closely with the state, Designated Agencies (DA’s), Preferred Providers, and community partners to improve upon the current system of care’s coordination, treatment, and prevention services for individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness who are receiving services in Community Rehabilitation and Treatment programs in Vermont. The independent contractor will be able to provide the required level of

coordination, training, consultation, and system of care consulting with the Department of Mental Health, aforementioned partners, and appropriate stakeholder groups during the one-year contract period.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is the state mental health authority for public mental health policy, programs, and services. DMH is statutorily responsible for providing services to adults who have a severe and persistent mental illness and children experiencing severe emotional disturbance. DMH also strives to address the mental health needs of all Vermonters. Additionally, DMH is responsible for the integration and coordination of these programs and services with those offered by other departments of the state, its political subdivisions, and private agencies in order to provide a flexible and comprehensive system of mental health services to those in need.

SCOPE OF SERVICES REQUESTED

The overall goal of the proposal is to address ways to reduce the number of deaths related to opioid overdose among adults supported by the Designated Agencies’ Community Rehabilitation and Treatment (CRT) programs. The bidder agrees to address this goal by using expert training and consultation to increase relevant staffs’ knowledge, clinical skills, and sustained competence with Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment (IDDT) and/or similarly effective Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) combined approaches (e.g. Integrated Cognitive Therapy). Ongoing supervision/coaching will be provided to the workforce using an evidence-based or best practice approach to ensure skill transfer and sustainability. The bidder agrees to work with designated agencies and preferred providers to develop improved coordination around clinical treatment planning to ensure it is better individualized and person-centered for individuals receiving both mental health and substance use services. The bidder agrees to work with programs and community partners to increase access to substance use disorder treatment services, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction, and to increase staffs’ knowledge of local resources to best support individuals in CRT with referrals, engagement, and treatment follow-through.

Specifically, the following are considered in scope of services:

1. Identify and recommend strategies for removing programmatic barriers and build readiness for implementation of combined Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) co-occurring treatment models such as IDDT and/or ICT.
2. Coordinate and provide training and technical assistance on MI and combined MI and CBT effective models such as IDDT and/or ICT
a. Implementation methods to include workshops, practice, and standardized interviews for competence and coaching over time with a special emphasis on supervisors’ capacity to sustain the practice among staff at their program with high fidelity.
3. Develop list of basic knowledge and competencies needed to effectively address opioid misuse to be used as a self-evaluation tool by program and staff and to inform implementation, sustainability, and effective interagency coordination.
4. Define a more accessible and successful way to communicate and coordinate among community provider agencies regarding mutual clients. This process may require expert facilitation using proven practices such as Collective Impactive or Appreciative Inquiry and technical assistance to identify barriers and develop the necessary infrastructure to support the identified strategies and achieve positive outcomes long term.
5. Develop a sustainability plan for each community to ensure workforce skills and infrastructure changes are maintained and improved upon over time once the technical assistance and support concludes.
6. Identify important data to monitor and work with the Department of Mental Health, Designated Agencies, and Preferred Providers to strengthen data collection methods to facilitate a clear understanding of how well services are provided and whether people are better off (e.g. Results Based Accountability approach).

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicant should be a 501(c)(3) organization in good standing that has a minimum of 10 years of experience working within the fields of mental health and substance use disorders in Vermont. Applicant should be knowledgeable about the system of care in Vermont, possess experience with effective change management and efficient project management techniques, and be knowledgeable about best practices in training, implementation, and sustainability strategies.

Schedule for Proposals, Review/Selection, and Contracting Process

RFP Issue: October 19, 2018
Proposals Due: November 7, 2018
Bidders selected by: November 14, 2018
Services Commence: January 1, 2019


PROPOSAL FORMAT

Documents must be single-spaced on a standard 8.5’ X 11” page size and use not less than a twelve-point font. Pages must be numbered. The proposal should be comprehensive, yet concise. The proposal must follow the sequence of information requested below. State your organization’s name on each page of your program proposal/bid and on any other information you are submitting.

1. A brief description of the organization which includes its history, organization structure and size, and qualifications to provide the required services.

2. A statement and discussion of the Proposer’s analysis of the RFP requirements, as outlined in the scope of services and vendor responsibilities. This should include:
• How the scope of services will be provided and by whom;
• Proposed costs, up to $270,000, for a one-year agreement;

• Statement and discussion of anticipated major difficulties and problem areas (if any), together with potential or recommended approaches to their solution.

3. Acknowledgement of agreement with customary State and Agency terms and conditions contained in Attachments C-F.


DELIVERY OF PROPOSALS

Proposals must be received no later than 4:30 pm EST on November 7, 2018 at the address below:
Department of Mental Health
Attn: Jennifer Rowell (RFP)
280 State Drive, NOB 2 North
Waterbury, Vermont 05671-2010

Please provide both an electronic copy (use MS Office and/or standard PDF files) and hard copy of the proposal to: Jennifer.Rowell@vermont.gov


QUESTIONS CONCERNING RFP

Questions concerning this request for proposal should be directed to: Laura Flint at 802-241-0094 or Laura.Flint@vermont.gov

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

DMH reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. If a contractor is selected, representatives will be invited to negotiate a contract.

DMH will not pay any bidder costs associated with preparing or presenting any proposal in response to this RFP.

The contractor will agree to the State of Vermont usual contract and payment provisions. These specifications are posted with this RFP and include:
• Attachment C: Customary Provisions for Contracts and Grants
• Attachment E: Business Associate Agreement
• Attachment F: AHS Customary Contract Provision