RFP #2023-01
Community-Led and Community-Supported Mental Health Supports
for Children and Families
Open for Public Comment Through May 31, 2023
How to Submit Comments: We welcome public input into all aspects of this draft RFP. You are welcome to submit feedback, including file uploads containing comments, using this online form. The public comment period will end on May 31, 2023. All comments will become part of the public record and will be used to refine the final RFP before it is released in June 2023.
The Escambia Children’s Trust is seeking public comments on a draft RFP that seeks to create or expand Informal Mental Health Supports offered by community-led and community-operated organizations. “Informal Mental Health Supports” are defined as non-medical, non-clinical supports for mental health provided by trusted peers, friends and family, religious leaders, support groups, or other non-health professionals.
We are looking for new or piloted projects from direct-service organizations that will help address the far-reaching challenges of stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues in children, youth and their families. Applicants must propose projects that tackle specific issues and address unmet needs in targeted geographies and demographic groups, with the overall goals of:
- Increasing the availability of preventive and proactive supports that children, youth, or families can use for mental health and well-being
- Increasing the capacity of child-serving service systems (e.g., child welfare, juvenile justice system), on trauma-informed practices and providing smooth pathways to more formal services
- Building knowledge of trauma-informed support and communication for parents, caregivers, and individuals close to children and youth
- Improving equity in mental health and reducing health disparities through improving equitable access to services for parents, caregivers, and children that are culturally and linguistically responsive to the needs of the populations of focus
- Increasing early intervention so children and youth with, or at high risk for, behavioral health conditions, can access services before conditions escalate and require higher level care
- Supporting the resilience of children and youth by mitigating the adverse effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Adverse effects could include brain development, emotional health and behavioral health, among other conditions
- Reducing both stigma and crises
DRAFT RFP DEADLINES
| Activity | Timeframe (draft) |
| Online Release of RFP & Application Access | June 14, 2023 |
| RFP Dates Available | June 14 – July 26, 2023 |
| RFP Information Session/Proposer’s Conference | June 21, 2022 at 1 p.m. in person and via Zoom |
| Period for Submission of Written Questions | June 21, 2022 to July 19, 2023 |
| Final Posting of Responses to Questions Received by July 19, 2023 deadline | July 20, 2023 at 5 p.m. |
| Deadline for Submission of Online RFP Application | July 26, 2023 at 5 p.m. |
| Application Review Period | July 27 – August 21, 2023 |
| Review Committee Meeting | August 21, 2023 at 12 p.m. |
| Follow-up Interviews with Applicants (if needed) | |
| Funding recommendations posted on ECT website | September 5, 2023 |
| ECT Board Meeting – Review of Award Recommendations and Award Determination | September 12, 2023 |
| Notification of Selected and Non-Selected Applicants | September 13, 2023 |
| Contract Review Period | September 13 – September 30, 2023 |
| Contract Effective Date | October 1, 2023 |