RFA 720-5296 - School Based Mental Health Grant - Addendum 2.pdf

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA

DARYL WASHINGTON, LCSW

COMMISSIONER

DEPARTMENT OF

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

Post Office Box 1797 Richmond, Virginia 23218-1797

Telephone (804) 786-3921 Fax (804) 371-6638 www.dbhds.virginia.gov

September 3, 2026

ADDENDUM # 2 - TO ALL OFFERORS

Solicitation: RFA 720-5296 – School Based Mental Health Grants

Dated August 17, 2026

Commodity:

91867 – Human Services Consulting (To Include Mental Health Consulting Services) 95262 – Mental Health Services: Vocational, Residential, Etc.

For delivery to: DBHDS

Proposal Due: September 17, 2026

Pre-Proposal Conference: September 2, 2026 NOTE TO OFFERORS: If you submitted a proposal prior to this addendum being issued, you must submit another proposal to respond to this addendum for your proposal to be considered.

SECTION 1: SOLICITATION CHANGES

The above solicitation is hereby changed to read:

1. Reference Page 9, Section IX, Part C.3, Budget and Budget Narrative: Change to read:

- Upload a detailed budget document showing the proposed use of funds for school-based mental health services and/or mental telehealth.

- Provide a brief justification summary.

SECTION 2: DEADLINE FOR PROSPECTIVE OFFEROR QUESTION SUBMISSIONS

Questions from prospective offerors regarding this solicitation must be submitted by Close of Business on Friday, September 11, 2026 in order to be addressed. Submissions dated after this deadline will not be answered.

SECTION 3: SELECTED PROSPECTIVE OFFEROR SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

The following questions have been received by prospective applicants either by email or were asked during the Preapplication Conference conducted on September 2, 2026. They are presented here with corresponding answers from the Agency:

Docusign Envelope ID: 99007578-1508-8F36-8293-C3C1FEE42527

1. Is there a maximum grant award or recommended funding request per school division under

RFA 720-5296?

Historically, we have awarded contacts to school divisions between $150,000 and $300,000. Please note, awards are subject to availability of funds in any given fiscal year.

Funds and parameters of an awarded contract are also subject to negotiation prior to award.

2. Is there a required local match amount?

The solicitation does not require a local match amount to be included in an application, however the Agency encourages applicants to plan for long term sustainability and to display sustainability practices in regards to grant funding.

3. Are there any specific reimbursement rates for existing telemental health services that a school division is currently providing with an established telemental health services partner, or can a school division simply request reimbursement for eligible costs up to the maximum grant award value? In section IV on page 3 of the RFA it says, “Reimbursement for services will be determined by DBHDS”, so we thought to confirm to be sure.

For schools with existing telehealth contracts in place that are not initiated by DBHDS, we reserve the ability to provide funding based on what is available in the overall budget. We would place emphasis on funding brand new telehealth services in school divisions first (i.e.

those who do not have an existing contract at all with a telehealth vendor).

4. If the August 27th pre-application webinar was recorded, would it be possible to share the link so that we may view it?

The Preapplication Conference that took place on September 2, 2026 was recorded for internal use. All questions asked during the conference and their answers are recorded in this addendum.

5. Can funds be used to create or purchase a substance abuse prevention curriculum? Could funds also be used to train staff on the new curriculum?

We encourage divisions to provide an overview of the training they would like to purchase or create. If creating a program, it needs to outline the content, target audience, how it will be delivered and MTSS tier it would cover. If it is an existing training, they would need to outline the training, target grades, MTSS tier.

6. The RFA references “universal screening data.” Does the grant contemplate universal mental health, behavioral, social-emotional or substance-use screening of students? If so, what screening tools may be used?

We do not provide a specific tool that must be used. School divisions can let us know which tool they would like to use and why.

7. When is affirmative parental consent required for screening, assessment, intervention or mental health services?

Such consent will be acquired ahead of any performance of services in accordance with local school system guidelines.

8. What does the required “Disparity of Impact statement” mean, and what information must divisions provide?

Applicants must outline how they will work with public/private community partners to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for students of color, LGBTQ+ identified students, or that are from migrant, refugee, Appalachian, or socio-economically stressed populations.

9. What student demographic or other data must divisions collect or share with DBHDS, VDOE or outside providers?

Upon award of contract, grantees agree to provide deidentified, aggregate data on areas such as number of students receiving services, MTSS tier of service provided, number of trainings provided to staff/ community partners, number of telehealth referrals, etc. This will be done with data collection process established between DBHDS and the school division.

10. The grant can fund training, professional learning and coaching for school employees. What types of training are contemplated, and who approves the training provided in a local division?

We encourage schools to provide an outline of evidence based or informed trainings that support services outlined in the application. We do not require a specific type of training and approval of a type of training to be conducted should be discussed with your division prior to applying to funds.

11. Does DBHDS or VDOE require or recommend particular programs, materials or approaches involving MTSS or “social-emotional support”?

We encourage schools to provide an outline of evidence based or informed trainings that support services outlined in the application. We do not require a specific type of training and approval of a type of training to be conducted should be discussed with your division prior to applying to funds.

12. What authority does the local school board retain over providers, screening, services, professional development and parental protections?

DBHDS provides funding to implement school-based mental health / mental telehealth services. The local school board retains the right to ultimately approve any providers, screenings, professional development and parental protections. In cases where a provider has issue with licensure, etc. and is currently providing the school with services, DBHDS may work with the school to help find a replacement.

13. Are local school boards expected to approve the provider contracts or MOUs associated with this grant?

We expect school divisions to follow all processes and procedures for review/approvals of MOUs outlined within their division.

14. Does accepting the grant create any obligation to continue these services after the grant funding ends?

While being granted funds does not obligate schools to continue services, we do encourage schools to have a sustainability plan in place.

15. If current grant recipients are eligible to apply, may they seek funding to expand their existing program to incorporate these additional services while continuing services funded under their current award?

Current school divisions may apply to expand services beyond telehealth (i.e. applying to now have in-person services in addition to currently awarded telehealth). If a currently awarded school division is looking to expand existing telehealth services, this would be a separate process that must be discussed between the school division and DBHDS.

16. Are school divisions that received funding under the previous DBHDS School-Based Mental Health/Telehealth grant eligible to apply for funding under the FY2027 RFA?

School divisions that are currently receiving telehealth funding from DBHDS do not need to apply to this RFA. Their contract has been renewed to continue services

17. Would grant funds be allowable for community outreach and engagement activities specifically designed to increase awareness of and access to the funded school-based mental health program?

Yes

18. One challenge we have identified during implementation of the current program is that establishing the service does not automatically result in students, families, staff, and the broader school community becoming aware of or utilizing the resource. Would allowable grant activities therefore include program awareness and engagement efforts?

Program engagement and awareness activities are allowed.

19. If allowable, is there a limitation on the percentage or amount of the grant budget that may be allocated to these activities?

We would have to evaluate the entire application to get a sense of the budget request for these activities relative to the activities being provided. Historically funding has supported engagement activities that increase awareness of services in the local community. Target audiences have been parents/caregivers, larger community (where applicable) and school personnel/staff.

20. May the same qualified public/private community mental health provider serve as the proposed partner or subcontractor for multiple school divisions submitting separate applications under RFA 720-5296?

A community partner can provide services to multiple school divisions. Each division would need to submit a separate application outlining the proposed services and provided and associated budget to complete activities.

21. Is there a level of support that must be provided...for example? Only Tier 3?

There is no specific V/MTSS tier that schools are required to provide for services. We encourage schools to outline the tiers they would address, evidence based/informed services, and any trainings associated that might be offered.

22. Do these providers have to be licensed or have certain qualifications?

We strongly encourage that providers be licensed or meet qualification for the services they provide.

23. If we already receive a grant for the telehealth piece- is it acceptable to apply for this in addition to add back in-person?

If you already have telehealth and you're looking to apply in person, the Agency still encourages you to apply. The Agency will look through your application to see the existing services your system has, what you're proposing, and see how that fits into the larger service.

24. Is the grant only able to fund community-based services, or can it fund a school-based mental health provider (division employee)?

Historically, this grant has funded community-based providers, not school staff or personnel that's already employed at the school division. If an applicant wanted to bring those staff into the school, this funding could be used to pay for that. But if a school nurse or someone else that's already on a division’s payroll and is providing services in your school, this would not cover their salaries.

25. In several places of the solicitation, it mentioned after school or flexible hours. What are you expecting for availability?

The Agency is hoping for proposals that provide a flexible service that also meets the needs of the community. Therefore applications detailing non-traditional hours and the services provided therein are permitted.

26. Can the grant be used to maintain services where we have lost funding, or must it be expansion of the service only?

No supplanting is allowed. The Agent cannot accept applications that would included supplanting.

27. For the trainings, do you have specific trainings you do or do not want provided?

There are no trainings expressly prohibited in this solicitation. If a certain training is something that an applicant would be interested in exploring, the Agency encourages a detailed proposal of its effectiveness in a school division. The Agency welcomes creativity in potential applications.

28. How many awards will be granted under this grant?

Awards will depends on how many schools divisions apply, how much they apply for, and how funding will be distributed across school divisions based on what they've identified as their needs.

29. May the same qualified public/private community mental health provider serve as the proposed partner or subcontractor for multiple school divisions submitting separate applications for this RFA?

This is subject to awarded school systems’ policies and procedures regarding contracts and Memorandums of Understanding. This solicitation does not govern these policies outside what is explicitly outlined therein.

30. Can we receive a list of attendees and companies attending this meeting?

The Agency does not provide lists of attendees to optional Preapplication Conferences.

31. Is there a page limit?

There is no explicit page limit for the applications.

32. Is this contract renewable after June 30, 2027?

An awarded contract from this solicitation is renewable as outlined in the terms and conditions.

33. The budget period for this year will be approx. 10/15/26 - 6/30/27. Section XII says there is the possibility of future years. Do we need to include budgets for future years?

Projected future budgets may be included in an application as part of a sustainability procedure but it will be subject to negotiation and availability of funds.

Note: A signed acknowledgment of this addendum must be received at the location indicated on the RFA either prior to the proposal due date and hour or attached to your proposal. Signature on this addendum does not substitute for your signature on the original proposal document. The original proposal document must be signed.

Name of Firm:

Signature/Title:

Date:

Very truly yours, Nicholas Sloane, VCO Procurement Officer III Nick.sloane@dbhds.virginia.gov

Certificate Of Completion Envelope Id: 99007578-1508-8F36-8293-C3C1FEE42527 Status: Completed

Subject: Complete with Docusign: RFA 720-5296 - School Based Mental Health Grant - Addendum 2.pdf

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