part I and part II ISBE B-50838.pdf

Sole Source Justification Form

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-50838

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

Sole Source Justification Form - Part I Section I - General Information

Department/Bureau/Section: Wellness and Student Care

Need Identified Date: Mar 15, 2025 Supply/Service Need By Date: Nov 15, 2025

Project Title: SAMHSA: TISS/REACH OUT - PLCCA

Vendor: Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, Inc. (PLCCA)

Provide a description of the supplies or services required:

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is a recipient of a School-Based Trauma-Informed Support Services (TISS) grant, a competitive grant, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Through this grant, ISBE has developed the REACH Out program in two geographic areas of Illinois to provide screening, referral, treatment, and training services to school districts related to trauma-informed services in schools. The REACH Out program has expanded upon existing programs and initiatives across the state related to trauma informed schools. This project targets the alternative education system including high need referral districts and regional alternative education programs, serving students with the highest need of assistance.

Under this awarded grant, there is a need for a vendor to conduct the following activities and responsibilities within the Area #1 catchment area named in the grant: screening, referral, consultation, and treatment services to address the needs of students and families related to trauma-informed services in schools.

Value: Actual Value of Initial Term, this Change Order or Amendment: 150,000

Will this Sole Source amend a Professional or Artistic Services contract? Yes No

*Sole Source may not be used for amendments for Professional or Artistic Services if the amendment would increase the value by more than 5% of the initial award or extend the term by more than 60 days.

Type: New Sole Economically Feasible Source

Section II - Proposed Term

One-Time Purchase Term Contract

Estimated Contract Begin Date: 12/1/25 or Upon Execution

Estimated Contract End Date: September 30, 2026

Number of Potential Renewals: 0

Length of Each Renewal in Months: 0

Total Value of All Renewals: 0

If a Term Contract, does the term, including renewals, exceed 12 months? Yes No

Section III - Funding Source Select the type of funding to be used (Check all that apply): State Appropriate Funds Federal Funds Other (Explain):

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-50838

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

Section IV - Sole Source Justification

This purchase is economically only available from a single source primarily because it is: (If "Other" explain in one sentence)

ISBE Leadership selected this vendor to assist in writing the grant application based on their extensive expertise, experience, and geogra

Are there secondary justification(s) for this sole source? Yes No

Section V - Purchase History

Has the Agency or University Purchased these supplies or services in the past? Yes No

Term Term From Term To Value Description Contract Number Type

1 Sep 30, 2022 Jun 30, 2024 150,000

PLCCA provided services as a subcontractor under West 40, the vendor named in Contract 24027.

PLCCA develops and provides screening, referral and treatment support services to students and their families, as well as developing and operationalizing an implementation plan and training plan for these services.

24027 Exemption

If more than 10, or if other comments, explain:

Section VI - Business Rationale

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-50838

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:

ISBE is the recipient of a School-Based Trauma-Informed Support Services (TISS) and Mental Health Care for Children and Youth grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This grant provides funding to increase student access to evidence-based and culturally relevant trauma support services and mental health care by developing innovative initiatives, activities, and programs to link local school systems with local trauma-informed support and mental health systems.

The Cooperative Agreements for School-Based Trauma-Informed Support Services (TISS) and Mental Health Care for Children and Youth | SchoolSafety.gov can be found at: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/children-and-families/school-health/tiss.

Youth in Illinois experience a significant amount of mental health challenges. Research estimates that one in five students will experience a significant mental health problem during their school years. A 2024 report found that approximately half of Illinois children and adolescents experienced one or more worsening mental health symptoms – a trend that has remained relatively stable since 2022. Illinois youth have reported higher rates of suicide ideation than the rest of the nation (Jones, 2022). High school students with depression are two times more likely to drop out than their peers (NAMI, 2023). Approximately 70% of those who need treatment will not receive appropriate mental health services. The shortage of adequately trained mental health professionals who serve children contributes to unmet psychological needs among youth, which can lead to negative outcomes in educational settings (SAMHSA, 2019).

2. Provide a list and describe in detail the specifications required to satisfy the need:

Under the terms of the awarded grant, ISBE is required to develop and provide screening, referral and treatment support services to students and their families, as well as developing and operationalizing an implementation plan and training plan for these services in the Area #1 catchment area. ISBE requires a vendor to conduct these activities.

This project has expanded the REACH Statewide Initiative. REACH trains educators, school mental health professionals, and community members to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma and address students' social-emotional and mental health needs. More specifically, it trains educators to engage in a reflective self-assessment process through which it assesses its current level of trauma-responsiveness and uses assessment data to inform areas of growth and action steps.

The goals and objectives of this project build on current priorities with a focus on trauma-focused interventions for students.

Specifically, this project builds on the Communities of Practice (CoP) component of the overall REACH initiative. To date, CoP topics have centered on the different domains of a trauma responsive school. While there has been some focus on targeted/mental health interventions, CoP topics have largely centered on universal practices for educators. This project will broaden the CoP topics to include mental health interventions for school and community based mental health professionals to deliver to school-age children. Training clinicians in evidence-based trauma-focused interventions will create sustainability in both the local behavioral health workforce and access to mental health services for students and their families.

3. Provide detail explaining the justification selected in Section IV to explain why the requested supplies or services are the only ones available that can satisfy the agency or university requirements?

At the time that ISBE's proposal for this grant was being developed in late FY 2022, ISBE Leadership identified Area #1 as a service area of focus. Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA) is a community behavioral health provider who already has geographic proximity to and provides services to Area 1 sites and assisted in developing ISBE's proposal. For these reasons, and particularly their intimate knowledge of and existing relationships within those areas, ISBE Leadership determined that PLCCA was the appropriate vendor to work in this area. In ISBE's awarded proposal for this grant, PLCCA was specifically named to develop and provide screening, referral and treatment support services to students and their families, as well as developing and operationalizing an implementation plan and training plan for these services in the Area #1 catchment area. PLCCA conducted meaningful work in line with the overarching goals of the Federal grant during FY 2023 and 2024. All work that was previously being done for this grant was paused at the end of FY 2024 in the absence of an ongoing contract. At this time, with less than one year remaining in the federal grant term, it would be impossible to identify an alternative vendor who has the same level of expertise and the knowledge of and relationships with the communities being served, and to acclimate them to the work with any opportunity for meaningful continuity of services.

Utilizing this vendor is essential to implement the most cost-effective solution for trauma-informed support services. It ensures long-term financial sustainability by reducing future expenses and avoiding higher-cost alternatives. Without this funding, the project would be economically unattainable, limiting our ability to deliver impactful and scalable outcomes. PLCCA is able to complete this work with the amount specified in the grant, and it is critical for the students of Illinois that this work continue.

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-50838

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

4. What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor? Provide specific quantifiable factors/qualifications:

These services are specifically targeted to Illinois' Area #1- This educational area represents the largest urban area of the state outside of Chicago, and is made of Illinois educational regions 19, 24, 31, 34, 44, and 56 representing 165 districts. Enrollment of students is 31.1% low income, 11.9% English learners, and diverse (White 60.2%, Black 6.5%, Hispanic 25.8%, Asian 6.3%, American Indian 0.4%, Pacific Islander 0.2%, Two or More Races 3.8%) (Illinois Report Card, 2021). The section of Area #1 served by the committed mental health partner in this application, the Proviso Township area, has three main public high schools. Enrollment of students in those schools is 31.8% low income, 13.9% English learners, and is more diverse than the area as a whole (White 2.1%, Black 34.6%, Hispanic 60.7%, Asian 1.1%, American Indian 0%, Pacific Islander 0%, and Two or More Races 1.4%) (Illinois Report Card, 2021). We anticipate developing Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with these schools and other alternative education programs in this geographic area of Area #1 to execute the goals of this application.

At the time that ISBE's proposal for this grant was being developed, ISBE Leadership identified Area #1 as a service area of focus. Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA) is a community behavioral health provider who already has geographic proximity to and provides services to Area 1 sites, and assisted in developing ISBE’s proposal. To support continuity of services, ISBE Leadership determined that PLCCA was the the vendor qualified to work in this area.

The services provided by PLCCA are specifically designed for this catchment area; this vendor already has an established presence in this catchment area, and was specifically named in the grant proposal that was awarded.

As indicated above, this vendor has already engaged in a great deal of highly meaningful work required for this Federal grant, and has developed complex systems and workstreams. These processes have been highly customized to align the vendor’s expertise and services to the unique needs of the communities being served, but such work ceased at the conclusion of FY 2024 when the previous contract ended, and has been paused ever since. In consideration thereof, combined with the reality that there currently remains less than one year on the Federal grant term, it would be impossible to identify an alternative vendor who has the same level of expertise and the knowledge of and relationships with the communities being served, and to acclimate them to the work with any opportunity for meaningful continuity of services.

5. Has the Agency or University considered alternative supplies or services to satisfy their need? Yes No

5a. If no, why weren't alternatives evaluated?

Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, Inc. (PLCCA) was selected for these services when ISBE applied for this Federal grant in late FY 2022, and was selected for their unique combination of general expertise related to the goals of the grant and their geographic proximity to the communities being served and the relationships and intimate understanding of those communities’ needs that come with such proximity. PLCCA has successfully undertaken a great deal of the work required for ISBE’s successful implementation of this Federal grant. With the processes and workstreams that they developed and implemented leading up to the pause of work at the end of FY 2024 due to the absence of a contract, coupled with the reality that less than one year remains in the Federal grant term, it is unrealistic and futile to attempt to identify an alternative provider who has the same level and breadth of expertise, existing collaborative relationships with the communities being served, and would be able to effectively transition into this work or meaningfully rebuild the systems that have already been put in place.

6. Are there resellers or distributors?

Yes No N/A

7. What efforts were made to get the best possible price (i.e. did the agency/university negotiate) and how did you determine the price for this purchase is considered fair and reasonable?

While planning for these grant activities, ISBE Leadership analyzed the scope and services required in comparison and alignment with costs for similar services purchased relative to other grants, and determined these prices to be fair and reasonable.

8. Will this purchase obligate the State to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing need?

Yes No

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-50838

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

9. What will be the financial or other impact to the State if this sole source is not approved and a competitive bid is required?

This vendor is essential to implement the most cost-effective solution for trauma-informed supports. Utilizing this vendor ensures long-term financial sustainability by reducing future expenses and avoiding higher-cost alternatives. Without this funding, the project would be economically unattainable, limiting our ability to deliver impactful and scalable outcomes. If this sole source is not approved, the impact to the State will be significant, specifically in terms of the removal of the provision of mental health services to students, families, and communities in need throughout Illinois. Because this vendor’s work on this project is well underway but paused since the conclusion of FY 2024, combined with the reality that less than one year remains in the Federal grant term and it would not be possible to transition this work to an alternative vendor even if one were successfully identified, which in and of itself is not realistic, the disapproval of this sole source would result in the permanent discontinuation of the highly important work that has already begun.

The project aims to serve a minimum of 6,750 students by project's end, and likely many more indirectly as a result of the trainings staff receive their impacts on the staff's ongoing work. If this sole source is not approved, thousands of students will lose these critical mental health support opportunities.

10. Is there any additional information you would like to add to justify this sole source?

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-50838

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

Section VII

Requesting Department Representative

Requesting Department Signature Required

I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed.

Date Jan 14, 2026

Printed Name Dr. Tiffany Burnett E-mail Address tiburnet@isbe.net

Phone Number (312) 814-3995

State Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director Approval and Signature Required

I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed. (All prior form fields will lock once this e-signature is completed)

E-mail Address jperry@isbe.net

Phone Number 217-785-8777 Date 01/23/2026

Printed Name Jason Perry

Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director and Not a Designee

SPO Approval and Signature Required

I have reviewed and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and agree with the State Agency or University determination.

I have reviewed and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and do not agree with the State Agency or University determination. As a result, the State Agency or University must explore other sourcing methods to satisfy their need.

State Purchasing Officer Signature Phone Number 217-299-0935 Date

Printed Name Colene Underwood E-mail Address Colene.Underwood@Illinois.gov

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Bulletin Reference Number 26-586SBE-CHFED-B-50838

Requesting Agency/University Illinois State Board of Education

Sole Source Justification Form - Part II Section I - General Information

Project Title SAMHSA: TISS/REACH OUT - PLCCA

Vendor Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, Inc. (PLCCA)

Initial Date of Procurement Bulletin Posting Feb 2, 2026

Was a Sole Source hearing held per 30 ILCS 500/20-25?

Yes - Complete Section II and III below (Section II will only be visible when this option is selected)

No - Section II not required, go to Section III below Section III - CPO Approval and Signature Required

Based on my review, I authorize the Agency/University to proceed in accordance with the published Notice referenced above.

Based upon my review, I authorize the Agency/University to proceed with the following Changes.

Based on my review, the Agency/University is not authorized to proceed with this sole source as presented and my recommendation is that it be cancelled.

Other

CPO Signature CPO Phone 217-622-1857

Printed Name Ellen H. Daley Date Feb 18, 2026

CPO E-mail Ellen.H.Daley@illinois.gov

Version 7.01 Page of Sole Source Justification Form - Part I Section I - General Information Will this Sole Source amend a Professional or Artistic Services contract?

If yes, what was the original contract value?

*Sole Source may not be used for amendments for Professional or Artistic Services if the amendment would increase the value by more than 5% of the initial award or extend the term by more than 60 days.

Section II - Proposed Term If a Term Contract, does the term, including renewals, exceed 12 months?

If yes, provide a detailed justification including any economic benefit received for agreeing to a multi-year term:

Section III - Funding Source Select the type of funding to be used (Check all that apply):

Section IV - Sole Source Justification Are there secondary justification(s) for this sole source?

Section V - Purchase History Has the Agency or University Purchased these supplies or services in the past?

Term Term From Term To Value Description Contract Number Type Section VI - Business Rationale

1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:

2. Provide a list and describe in detail the specifications required to satisfy the need:

3. Provide detail explaining the justification selected in Section IV to explain why the requested supplies or services are the only ones available that can satisfy the agency or university requirements?

4. What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor? Provide specific quantifiable factors/qualifications:

5. Has the Agency or University considered alternative supplies or services to satisfy their need?

5a. If yes, name the alternative vendors whose supplies or services were evaluated:

5b. If yes, what were the alternatives for each vendor and why were they unacceptable? Be specific with regard to features, characteristics, requirements, capabilities and compatibility:

5c. Explain how the market evaluation was conducted?

*This evaluation is to determine available options within a market. If the evaluation is to determine quality or best suited option, this is not the appropriate source selection. Under no circumstances shall the evaluation consist of testing alternative options. These activities must be conducted in a competitive transparent environment (i.e. IFB or RFP).

5a. If no, why weren't alternatives evaluated?

6. Are there resellers or distributors?

7. What efforts were made to get the best possible price (i.e. did the agency/university negotiate) and how did you determine the price for this purchase is considered fair and reasonable?

8. Will this purchase obligate the State to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing need?

8a. If yes, please provide details regarding future obligations and/or needs:

9. What will be the financial or other impact to the State if this sole source is not approved and a competitive bid is required?

10. Is there any additional information you would like to add to justify this sole source?

Section VII Requesting Department Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed.

State Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director Approval and Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed. (All prior form fields will lock once this e-signature is completed) SPO Approval and Signature Required Sole Source Justification Form - Part II Section I - General Information Was a Sole Source hearing held per 30 ILCS 500/20-25?

Section II - Sole Source Hearing Details The State posted to the Illinois Procurement Bulletin a description of the State's need, the justification for the sole source decision, and information regarding the opportunity to submit comments and testify at a public hearing. Notice of the hearing was also posted outside of the hearing room 48 hours prior to the hearing.

The public hearing was conducted for the purpose of receiving testimony regarding the sole source determination. The Hearing Officer recommends the following:

The following relevant documents are attached:

Section III - CPO Approval and Signature Required 9.0.0.2.20101008.1.734229 Ellen.H.Daley@illinois.gov

Through this grant, ISBE has developed the REACH Out program in two geographic areas of Illinois to provide screening, referral, treatment, and training services to school districts related to trauma-informed services in schools. The REACH Out program has expanded upon existing programs and initiatives across the state related to trauma informed schools. This project targets the alternative education system including high need referral districts and regional alternative education programs, serving students with the highest need of assistance.

Under this awarded grant, there is a need for a vendor to conduct the following activities and responsibilities within the Area #1 catchment area named in the grant: screening, referral, consultation, and treatment services to address the needs of students and families related to trauma-informed services in schools.

The Cooperative Agreements for School-Based Trauma-Informed Support Services (TISS) and Mental Health Care for Children and Youth | SchoolSafety.gov can be found at: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/children-and-families/school-health/tiss.

Youth in Illinois experience a significant amount of mental health challenges. Research estimates that one in five students will experience a significant mental health problem during their school years. A 2024 report found that approximately half of Illinois children and adolescents experienced one or more worsening mental health symptoms – a trend that has remained relatively stable since 2022. Illinois youth have reported higher rates of suicide ideation than the rest of the nation (Jones, 2022). High school students with depression are two times more likely to drop out than their peers (NAMI, 2023). Approximately 70% of those who need treatment will not receive appropriate mental health services. The shortage of adequately trained mental health professionals who serve children contributes to unmet psychological needs among youth, which can lead to negative outcomes in educational settings (SAMHSA, 2019).

Q2Answer: Under the terms of the awarded grant, ISBE is required to develop and provide screening, referral and treatment support services to students and their families, as well as developing and operationalizing an implementation plan and training plan for these services in the Area #1 catchment area. ISBE requires a vendor to conduct these activities.

This project has expanded the REACH Statewide Initiative. REACH trains educators, school mental health professionals, and community members to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma and address students' social-emotional and mental health needs. More specifically, it trains educators to engage in a reflective self-assessment process through which it assesses its current level of trauma-responsiveness and uses assessment data to inform areas of growth and action steps.

The goals and objectives of this project build on current priorities with a focus on trauma-focused interventions for students. Specifically, this project builds on the Communities of Practice (CoP) component of the overall REACH initiative. To date, CoP topics have centered on the different domains of a trauma responsive school. While there has been some focus on targeted/mental health interventions, CoP topics have largely centered on universal practices for educators. This project will broaden the CoP topics to include mental health interventions for school and community based mental health professionals to deliver to school-age children. Training clinicians in evidence-based trauma-focused interventions will create sustainability in both the local behavioral health workforce and access to mental health services for students and their families.

Q3Answer: At the time that ISBE's proposal for this grant was being developed in late FY 2022, ISBE Leadership identified Area #1 as a service area of focus. Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA) is a community behavioral health provider who already has geographic proximity to and provides services to Area 1 sites and assisted in developing ISBE's proposal. For these reasons, and particularly their intimate knowledge of and existing relationships within those areas, ISBE Leadership determined that PLCCA was the appropriate vendor to work in this area. In ISBE's awarded proposal for this grant, PLCCA was specifically named to develop and provide screening, referral and treatment support services to students and their families, as well as developing and operationalizing an implementation plan and training plan for these services in the Area #1 catchment area. PLCCA conducted meaningful work in line with the overarching goals of the Federal grant during FY 2023 and 2024. All work that was previously being done for this grant was paused at the end of FY 2024 in the absence of an ongoing contract. At this time, with less than one year remaining in the federal grant term, it would be impossible to identify an alternative vendor who has the same level of expertise and the knowledge of and relationships with the communities being served, and to acclimate them to the work with any opportunity for meaningful continuity of services.

Utilizing this vendor is essential to implement the most cost-effective solution for trauma-informed support services. It ensures long-term financial sustainability by reducing future expenses and avoiding higher-cost alternatives. Without this funding, the project would be economically unattainable, limiting our ability to deliver impactful and scalable outcomes. PLCCA is able to complete this work with the amount specified in the grant, and it is critical for the students of Illinois that this work continue.

Q4Answer: These services are specifically targeted to Illinois' Area #1- This educational area represents the largest urban area of the state outside of Chicago, and is made of Illinois educational regions 19, 24, 31, 34, 44, and 56 representing 165 districts. Enrollment of students is 31.1% low income, 11.9% English learners, and diverse (White 60.2%, Black 6.5%, Hispanic 25.8%, Asian 6.3%, American Indian 0.4%, Pacific Islander 0.2%, Two or More Races 3.8%) (Illinois Report Card, 2021). The section of Area #1 served by the committed mental health partner in this application, the Proviso Township area, has three main public high schools. Enrollment of students in those schools is 31.8% low income, 13.9% English learners, and is more diverse than the area as a whole (White 2.1%, Black 34.6%, Hispanic 60.7%, Asian 1.1%, American Indian 0%, Pacific Islander 0%, and Two or More Races 1.4%) (Illinois Report Card, 2021). We anticipate developing Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with these schools and other alternative education programs in this geographic area of Area #1 to execute the goals of this application.

At the time that ISBE's proposal for this grant was being developed, ISBE Leadership identified Area #1 as a service area of focus. Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA) is a community behavioral health provider who already has geographic proximity to and provides services to Area 1 sites, and assisted in developing ISBE’s proposal. To support continuity of services, ISBE Leadership determined that PLCCA was the the vendor qualified to work in this area.

The services provided by PLCCA are specifically designed for this catchment area; this vendor already has an established presence in this catchment area, and was specifically named in the grant proposal that was awarded.

As indicated above, this vendor has already engaged in a great deal of highly meaningful work required for this Federal grant, and has developed complex systems and workstreams. These processes have been highly customized to align the vendor’s expertise and services to the unique needs of the communities being served, but such work ceased at the conclusion of FY 2024 when the previous contract ended, and has been paused ever since. In consideration thereof, combined with the reality that there currently remains less than one year on the Federal grant term, it would be impossible to identify an alternative vendor who has the same level of expertise and the knowledge of and relationships with the communities being served, and to acclimate them to the work with any opportunity for meaningful continuity of services.

The project aims to serve a minimum of 6,750 students by project's end, and likely many more indirectly as a result of the trainings staff receive their impacts on the staff's ongoing work. If this sole source is not approved, thousands of students will lose these critical mental health support opportunities.