PRF76 SOW Mental Health Feasibilty Study.doc

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Statewide Contract, PRF76: Management Consultants, Program Coordinators and Planners Services Statement of Work PROJECT Rate or HOURLY Fixed Price

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PRF76 Specialized Racial and Health Equity Services PRF76 COMMBUYS bid #Bid BD-23-1088-RGT01-RGT01-89231: Feasibility study of a Behavioral Health College Partnership.

New Continuation *Anticipated Effective Date of Amendment:

Vendor Name:

Department of Higher Education

Dates of Service: New *Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2023 End Date:_ December 30, 2023_

End date Not to exceed September 30, 2029 PRF76 Continuation Original Start Date: Current End Date:

New End Date:

End date Not to exceed September 30, 2029 PRF76

Scope of Services:

See Narrative below Attachment provided Overview

The Massachusetts higher education community served 483,498 students in 111colleges and universities in 2022; this includes 82 private, independent colleges and universities and 29 public higher education institutions (i.e., 15 community colleges, 9 state universities, and 5 University of Massachusetts campuses) Unfortunately, public and private colleges and universities across the Commonwealth are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Severe mental illness has been more common among college students in recent years. During the 2020–2021 school year, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, according to the Healthy Minds Study, which collects data from 373 campuses nationwide (Lipson, S. K., et al., Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 306, 2022). In another national survey, almost three quarters of students reported moderate or severe psychological distress (National College Health Assessment, American College Health Association, 2021). Their needs are overwhelming campus counseling centers (CCCs).

CCCs are managing an increasing number of students with high acuity presenting issues such as chronic suicidal ideation, self-injurious behaviors, severe anxiety disorders (with avoidant behaviors), and depression. All presenting issues threaten the safety and retention of these students and have an impact on their campus communities. In addition, these students typically require intensive care that extends beyond the scope of CCCs and affect counselors’ ability to provide adequate care to their remaining student caseload.

Many Massachusetts CCCs are challenged to find available psychiatric services for their students due to high demand and low availability in their regions. Hospitals are often short staffed and cannot prioritize treatment to students in crisis. Available inpatient psychiatric assistance is often located on a shared floor with patients whose illnesses differ from those of the college population. Intensive Outpatient Programs often have waitlists and do not specialize in the diverse challenges faced by college students.

The Department of Higher Education (DHE) and its partners are interested in exploring a Massachusetts based partnership for evidence-based evaluation and treatment of students experiencing psychiatric crises; and in exploring the feasibility of creating a shared inpatient evaluation, admission, and treatment program, as well as outpatient programs to aid students in their recovery and successful transition back to college.

Scope of Work

SUMMARY

DHE is seeking a feasibility study of a Behavioral Health College Partnership that would include:

1) A shared Inpatient Program exclusive to college students

2) A shared Intensive Outpatient Program

There is a proof of concept for both models, as evidenced by the Northwell Health Behavioral College Partnership, a proven inpatient program, and The Haven at College and TCU’s On-Campus Intensive Outpatient Programs, two on-campus outpatient programs for behavioral health. This RFP is seeking a financial and operational feasibility study of establishing shared programs in our region (specifically Greater Boston, Springfield & Worcester). This includes an assessment of need in the region, an assessment of services expected or desired by potential partners, the physical, communication, and/or transport infrastructure or services required to support the programs, and the workforce needs for the programs.

Specific questions include, but are not limited to:

CCCs

· What services do college counselors believe we need to support our students to be successful and stay in college?

· Understanding the number of colleges and universities in MA, and the approximate number of college students, what would be the number of cases with high acuity that require psychiatric evaluation at any one time (provide average estimates with low points and high points noted throughout the year)?

· Given the number of college students we serve in Massachusetts, what would be the number of cases that may require inpatient treatment?

· What would be the number of cases that require outpatient treatment?

FACILITIES

· What type of space/facilities are needed to accommodate the possible number of college students whose acuity level requires inpatient treatment at any given time?

· What types of space/facilities are needed to accommodate the possible number of college students who require outpatient treatment?

STAFFING

· How many trained psychiatric evaluators do we need statewide to provide an evaluation of students requiring psychiatric evaluation?

· What would the management profile and organizational chart look like for an inpatient facility?

· What would the management profile and organizational chart look like for an outpatient facility?

· What staffing structure would be needed for a single inpatient facility to accommodate the anticipated highest number of college students?

· What staffing would be needed year-round?

· What staffing would be required for the academic year only (August through May)?

· Does the MA community have the workforce to accommodate the required staffing structure of one inpatient facility? Two? Three?

GEOGRAPHY

· What is the ideal geographic region that can be accommodated by one facility? (i.e., no more than a 30 minute drive, a 1 hour drive, a 2 hour drive)

· Considering the geographic location of the colleges in Massachusetts, how many inpatient and outpatient facilities would make sense?

· Where would a potential facility location (or locations) be? City? Town? Freestanding building? Hospital?

· How would student transportation from campus to the hospital or facility work, and what would transportation from the facility back to campus look like?

FINANCIALS

· Please provide a pro forma budget to demonstrate operating costs, including staff.

· Please estimate profit, loss, and cash flow for both an inpatient and an outpatient behavioral health college partnership.

INSURANCE

· Do the major insurance companies cover in-patient and outpatient behavioral/mental health services? If not, what are the typical limitations?

LIABILITY

· Please identify any major liability concerns that could limit participation.

Budget & Pricing

Submit A Proposed Budget

Please include a detailed budget outline for your Feasibility Study outline to include:

· Activity Name (i.e. meeting, focus group, travel, food/beverage)

· Unit name

· Cost per unit

· Projected project completion date

· Comments & Notes

Pricing should not exceed project grant funding of $150,000.

Terms & Conditions

1. Awarding of Contract

This RFP does not constitute a contract or agreement. The final contract will be awarded by the organization to the chosen bidder after careful assessment.

2. Proposal Structure

· Executive Summary

· Company or Personal Profile

· Statement of Understanding of Scope of Work

· Offerings

· Implementation Approach

· Timeline

3. Eligibility Criteria

The bidder must have at least five years of legal operations in the United States.

For Continuation ONLY: FORMCHECKBOX Scope of Services amended FORMCHECKBOX No Change to Scope of Services

Fixed Price Project: Choose One

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Budget attached for duration less than or equal to 12 months

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Budget attached for duration greater than 12 months per fiscal year

A line item budget which must justify the rate with deliverables and milestones for the entire duration must be attached.

Expenditures must be made in accordance with the approved budget for this engagement and the terms and conditions of the procuring agency’s RFR and contract. Payments will be made upon the submission of invoices that are complete and that include appropriate documentation in accordance with the terms of the service scope and governing contract. If travel reimbursement is allowed, the details must be outlined in the budget.

Rate Project:

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Detailed description of project with anticipated hours and negotiated rates.

New Total budget for engagement not to exceed $150,000 Travel reimbursement allowed (Individuals only) Choose one:

x No FORMCHECKBOX Mileage only FORMCHECKBOX Yes (budget attached)

(approved State rate) Continuation

Current Total budget for engagement $ Amendment Amount (+ or -) for engagement $ New Total budget for engagement $ Travel reimbursement allowed (Individuals only) Choose one:

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No FORMCHECKBOX Mileage only FORMCHECKBOX Yes (budget attached)

(approved State rate)

Funding: Funding for this engagement is subject to the appropriation of funds by the Massachusetts Legislature or the Federal Government for the year(s) in which services are delivered.

Changes to Scope and/or Terms: Any changes to this engagement must be agreed upon in writing in advance by both parties.

Termination: The Department, upon prior written notice, may terminate this engagement without cause and without penalty, or may terminate or suspend an engagement if the vendor breaches any material term or condition or fails to perform or fulfill any material obligation required by this engagement, or in the event of an elimination of an appropriation or absence of sufficient funds for the purposes of an engagement, or in the event of an unforeseen public emergency mandating immediate department action.

Authorizing Signature for the Vendor

Authorized Vendor Signature and Date

Print Name and Title

Authorizing Signatures for the Department

Authorized Signature and Date

Print Name and Title

*The effective start date of this Engagement or Amendment shall be the latest date this document has been executed by an authorized signatory of the Vendor, the Department or a later Engagement or Amendment start date specified above.

Issued 4/13/2012