EP_CSC_Bidders_Conference_4.12.23.pptx

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health

Early Psychosis Coordinated Specialty Care Program Staff Enhancement and Evidence Based Practice Implementation Master Agreement Request for Applications

Bidders’ Conference April 26, 2023 12:30 to 1:30 PM via Zoom

Purpose of Procurement

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking to establish a pool of existing or planned Early Psychosis Coordinated Specialty Care Programs (EP CSC Programs) to which it can award grants to enhance staffing or assist with the implementation of Evidence Based Practices.

This is being done to expedite the use of funding as it becomes available.

DMH intends to increase not only the number of EP Programs, but specifically the number of EP Programs offering fidelity-adherent CSC services.

EP CSC Procurement Timeline* *Proposals received after May 25, 2023 will be reviewed quarterly Responses to questions received after May 3, 2023 will be posted to COMMBUYS quarterly.

9 years

April 12, 2023

RFA Released

July 1, 2023

Initial Contract Start

June 30, 2032

Questions and Bid Submissions Closed

May 3, 2023

May 10, 2023

May 25, 2023

June 23, 2023

Answers to questions for initial award posted to COMMBUYS

Questions for initial award Due

Initial/First Round Applications Due

Contract/Grant Awards Announced

June 30, 2033

Procurement Closes

Minimum Applicant Requirements

1. Operates an outpatient clinic in Massachusetts

2. Clinic has appropriate licensure and is in good standing

3. Clinic has relevant accreditation to provide outpatient services and to optimize 3rd party payers inc. Medicare and Medicaid

4. The Applicant must not be subject to a federal or state debarment order.

Minimum of 4 staff performing 6 roles Minimum of .2 FTE per role Funding priorities exceed minimums

Core Service Components (5.3)

Comprehensive assessment and diagnostic consultation (e.g. MA EP Assessment Battery)

Key Roles (5.4.2)

Team Leader (Key Role)

Individual therapy

Family Psychoeducation and Therapy

Supported Employment and Education

Peer Support

Care Coordination

Prescriber individual clinician family clinician employment/education specialist peer specialist

Psychopharmacology

Qualification: Fully vs. Provisional (5.9) DMH will determine the applicant’s Qualification Status based on the Self Assessment and RFA Response

Fully Qualified

A program meets all criteria in Section 5, including Key leadership roles filled

Minimum staffing roles in place

Minimum staffing FTEs in place

Staff training completed

All Core Service Components provided

Provisionally Qualified

Minimum Census of 25 Requirement to maintain Fully Qualified Status A new or existing program which does not meet all of the criteria in Section 5, but does have:

Requirement to achieve fully qualified status in two (2) years

Identified staff to fill all Key Leadership Role Minimum staffing/FTE requirements (i.e. no less than 0.2 FTE committed to the EP CSC) A plan to achieve a census of 25 or more by the end of the second year

Services are offered and delivered equitably, such that:

Services align with national CLAS Standards Outreach targets historically marginalized and underserved communities, including those for whom English is not a first language Approaches to working with youth and families are culturally informed Client demographics are considered when reviewing Program outcomes Staff are diverse, reflecting the communities they serve, or there is a plan to recruit diverse staff Staff receive training and support from their parent organization to provide services in a culturally informed way

Bidders “must demonstrate… their experience and ability to address issues of race, equity, and inclusion and how they will incorporate these values in their EP CSC Program.”

Materials available to current and prospective clients and families, including the Program website, are made available in multiple languages.

The Applicant’s Self-Assessment and response reflect an awareness of the linguistic and cultural needs of their prospective client population.

Equity

Supplemental Grant Funding After two years, EP CSC Programs will be eligible to receive supplemental grant funding Eligibility is based on improving model fidelity as assessed by DMH/MAPNET Supplemental awards will be a percentage of the contract amount, and are added to the Program’s contract and SOW for the following term.

Awards can be used for program enhancements, such as:

Evening Hours Travel Vouchers Staff Travel Staff Salary Increases Hiring staff with specialized skills (E.g. language)

Self Assessment

Critical part of response

To accurately reflect an applicant’s current/point-in-time status

To be completed annually

Informs evaluation of ongoing fidelity

To BE USED TO identify short- and long-term goals to improve model-adherence

Training (5.5) All team members complete training and demonstrate competence in the EP CSC model, e.g., NAVIGATE model and role(s) specific EBPs.

Space (5.6.4 & 5.4) All EP CSC staff have access to reliable office space with technology and equipment sufficient to provide in-person and HIPAA-compliant telehealth services.

Team members share a commitment to meeting people where they are comfortable, which includes community- based and at-home settings.

Team Meeting (5.6.1) & Supervision (5.6.2) Staff members receive regularly scheduled EP-specific supervision at least once per week; and participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings Billing (5.6.3) The EP CSC program and Contractor maximizes 3rd party payment options. Any revenue generated by Contract-funded positions is to be used to offset the cost of these positions.

Annual reconciliation

Additional Points of Note

As part of their QI process, Contractors must have or institute a process to collect, consider, and implement input from EP CSC Program participants and families to improve program performance and/or the experience of clients. (7.4)

Programs serve individuals “who have recently developed a psychotic illness, typically within three to five years of onset of the illness” (5.2.1), but for whom there are not a required age range or maximum duration of treatment (5.2.9).

Contractor leadership must be involved in the administrative and clinical operations of the EP CSC program. (5.4.1)

Programs report annually to DMH inc. (1) self assessment; (2) battery; (3) outcome reporting

DMH has not stipulated a minimum or maximum award

Preference for awards will be given to sustain existing, operational EP CSC Programs meeting fidelity standards. Following that, DMH will consider the following priorities when selecting among the list of Qualified programs.

Preferences & Priorities (9.3)

Use of DMH funds to hire dedicated Supported Employment/Education Staff; Peer Specialist; and/or Care Coordinator.

All EP CSC staff exceed the minimum FTE requirements, e.g., 0.5 FTE or more dedicated to the program.

The Peer Specialist position is 1.0 FTE or equivalent.

DMH funds are used to provide out of the clinic programming.

Staff are licensed/credentialed to serve individuals across the life-span.

The EP CSC Program provides services to individuals and their families regardless of ability to pay.

The proposed EP CSC program is sited in a priority community.

Applicant has a history of successfully integrating peer and/or employment services into clinical programming.

Applicant has a history of providing services delivered in community settings “outside the walls” of the clinic.

Evaluation of Responses

To be considered eligible for a Master Agreement, the following items must be determined as having been met* through DMH’s evaluation of the proposal:

Group 1, Item 2: Agency Letter of Support

Group 2, Item 5: Core Staff and Roles

Item 7: EP CSC Core Service Components

20 of the remaining 24 items (Approximately 80%)*

*DMH reserves the right to discuss additional unmet criteria as part of contract negotiations

Item 6: Staff Time Committed to EP CSC

To learn more about NAVIGATE and Coordinated Specialty Care in Massachusetts, visit the MAPNET Website: www.mapnet.online

Or see the NIMH White Paper included in the bid’s COMMBUYS file:

Questions/concerns pertaining to COMMBUYS can be addressed to Jerome.Collins@mass.gov, or

The OSD Help Desk at OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov or 1-888-627-8283 or 617-720-3197 during normal business hours (8am – 5pm ET Monday - Friday).

THANK YOU!

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