RFA- FINAL- updated_~1.docx

Request For Applications

FY 2018

Updated FY 2023

Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant Program

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Maura T. Healy, Governor Kimberley L. Driscoll, Lt. Governor

Executive Office of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh, Secretary

Department of Mental Health Brooke Doyle, Commissioner

PREFACE

The primary goal of jail and arrest diversion for DMH is to divert appropriate individuals from the criminal justice system to treatment. Nationally, diversion programs are being developed at multiple points across the criminal and juvenile justice continuum with hopes of alleviating the growing number of people with mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorders from entering the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Alternative pathways for the behavioral health-involved population can occur at any intercept point in the criminal justice system. “Diversion” for the purposes of this grant program means intervening at the earliest point- that of potential arrest. Diversion programs in this context support public safety personnel (primarily police) to redirect – when appropriate and safe – individuals with behavioral health needs from the justice system to appropriate community care.

This Request For Applications (RFA) emphasizes program development and support for pre-arrest diversion. This early diversion point is preferable as it has the potential to avoid the creation of criminal or delinquency records and the collateral consequences of having such records. In addition, this RFA supports public safety personnel by providing training on techniques and information that can help them minimize the use of force and the risk of that to all parties. Participating law enforcement personnel will have increased confidence in making referrals to services effectively, when responding to a behavioral health crisis situation.

In addition to an immediate cost savings to the criminal and juvenile justice systems, pre-arrest diversion programs offer a more humane response to people with mental illness (many of whom have co-occurring substance use disorders and trauma histories) who might otherwise become incarcerated. Jail diversion efforts and techniques may also affect adult and juvenile detention rates, reduce costs of incarceration and unnecessary prosecutions, and improve public safety by linking individuals to needed treatment and focusing on a broad range of needs. Effective programs and services can help people with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders live their lives with fewer symptoms and provide an effective incentive for staying in treatment.

The Commonwealth, via the Department of Mental Health (DMH), has made funds available for local Police-Based Jail Diversion Programs since July 2007. Currently, DMH supports various types of police-based diversion programs, including Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), Co-Response Programs and Component Jail Diversion Programs (among others). These programs include program coordination, clinical consultation, enhanced collaboration between police and their local Behavioral Health Crisis Service Providers and support for police behavioral health training of several varieties of models. DMH also funds seven CIT-Training and Technical Assistance Centers (TTACs); two in the Boston area, two in the Southeast area, one in the Central Mass Area, one in the Northeast Area, and one in the Springfield area. Additionally, a statewide Co-Responder TTAC is funded and located in the Central Mass Area. In all, DMH is providing direct grant support to over 140 cities and towns across the Commonwealth with many more communities benefiting in partnership with our grantees.

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS-

FY 2023

MASSACHUSETTS JAIL/ARREST DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

Through this Request for Applications (RFA), the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking Applicants interested in obtaining grant funding for the purpose of establishing a Jail/Arrest Diversion project in one or more communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. DMH has established a pool of Qualified Applicants (see Section C) with approved Projects and is continuing to add additional applicants. The Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Program is an important source of state funding administered by the Department of Mental Health, supporting a variety of community development efforts to support police and other first responders in refining their response to encounters with individuals with behavioral health challenges throughout the state. This RFA describes the features and details of the state's Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant program, and the applicable regulations and requirements governing the administration of this program. In addition, it outlines the state's policies, administrative responsibilities and provides descriptions of the eligible projects and their components.

In its administration of Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant funding, DMH is committed to:

· maintaining its proven Jail/Diversion programs and helping them become more self-sustaining;

· expanding the types of program models and activities eligible to receive grant support;

· increasing both the availability of training opportunities as well as the likelihood of lasting, positive impact from training received;

· partnering with law enforcement and others to identify and provide solutions for local behavioral health service system gaps and/or access barriers that may constrain law enforcement’s full implementation of training competencies and recommended diversion practices;

· sound business practices by grantee organizations that ensure the highest standards of public accountability and responsibility.

DMH will continue to implement its Jail Diversion database and collect Quarterly Program Summaries from grantees as part of its Outcome & Performance Measurement System. The system will survey progress on the following Objectives (1) increase collaboration between local law enforcement and behavioral health providers through stakeholder meetings and joint initiatives; (2) increase in the number of law enforcement and other first responders trained in behavioral health topics and increase in the number and type of trainings available; (3) increase in the quality and consistency of training delivered to law enforcement and other first responders; (4) support law enforcement and other first responder departments to develop policies that increase safety and effectiveness when responding to citizens with behavioral health challenges; (5) increase in the number of intervention options available to first responders with new skills acquired through behavioral health training that can result in reduction in the use of force when safe and appropriate to do so ; (6) increase diversion from arrest for citizens with behavioral health challenges when safe and appropriate to do so.

Applicants must develop an overarching Community Implementation Strategy (see Section C of this RFA) to which the requested grant support will be applied. In addition, Applicants will need to select one or more of the above Objectives for their proposed grant projects coupled with one or more of the following three Outcomes: (1) Positive Change in practice; (2) Positive Change in policy; (3) Positive Change in local resources. The Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Program asks Applicants to describe the need that the requested project addresses, as well as the anticipated impact. For each proposed grant project an Applicant must propose an Outcome Statement. This framework allows for consistent reporting to the Executive and Legislative branches of state government.

This Request For Applications is organized into the following sections:

Preface Introduction

EXHIBITS 1 – 10 Project Details EXHIBIT 11 Listing of Documents/Forms

A. MASSACHUSETTS JAIL/ARREST DIVERSION

PROGRAM PRIORITIES

DMH’s goal of expanding state support for public safety personnel to consistently provide safe, effective crisis response services to its citizens with behavioral health challenges is the impetus for this procurement. To accomplish this goal, training opportunities and ongoing support with implementation and maintenance of gains must be readily available and feasible for any and all public safety departments in Massachusetts that are seeking to refine their practices relative to behavioral health crisis response. DMH is interested in offering training and support to more communities, increasing the consistency of training content, and increasing the flexibility for the means and the pace at which a local community may avail itself of such training. Lastly, DMH intends to provide support for addressing systemic challenges by increasing collaboration between law enforcement and their local social service system and behavioral health providers.

Specifically, through the Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Grants program, DMH aims to accomplish the following priorities:

· Increase safety and improve outcomes for persons in behavioral health crisis and first responders in Massachusetts.

· Increase the number of communities and public safety departments participating in DMH Jail/Arrest Diversion activities.

· Increase access to DMH-sponsored training opportunities in general - for law enforcement and other first responders (in particular, CIT, Co-Response and Mental Health First Aid).

· Increase the number and locations of trainings available across the state.

· Increase the consistency of training content provided via DMH sponsorship. Refine training content continuously, based upon survey feedback and outcome measurement.

· Increase flexibility for communities to request changes to grant support levels.

· Expedite the application process and improve access for communities that request limited and specific support, (e.g. reimbursement for training costs only).

· Provide a uniform annual budget review process that is responsive to changing circumstances and needs in the Commonwealth and of the Grantees.

· Provide year-round, ongoing access to grant support, allowing communities to apply for and commence an approved program activity at any time within a fiscal year, rather than during a limited procurement period window.

· Provide support for public safety leaders to conduct a stakeholders group, task force, or learning collaborative to address local systems issues and to better integrate law enforcement crisis response activities with local social and behavioral health service programs.

· Support development of and/or access to new local resources for social and behavioral health programs that complement public safety initiatives to divert from arrest/incarceration.

· Provide coordination of and support for technical assistance with policy development and other organizational change necessary for implementation of CIT, Co-Response, or another jail/arrest diversion model that a community chooses to initiate.

· Provide support for consultation services or program management personnel to oversee and drive implementation of training received so as to improve police-based diversion initiatives in response to behavioral health crisis situations.

· Increase focus on projects requiring short term, front-loaded support in conjunction with feasible plans to transition to a sustainable long-term funding source.

· Define and measure success and demonstrate cost effectiveness of the investment of state dollars.

B. ELIGIBLE MUNICIPALITIES, ORGANIZATIONS, PROVIDERS

There are 351 municipalities in Massachusetts. Any city or town may apply separately or jointly with other municipalities in their region. Joint Applicants must submit a single Application from the “Lead Organization.” Private sector organizations and individual providers may apply for grant supported activities that include the direct provision of training to first responders, consultation to public safety departments, and/or ancillary services/supports to diverted individuals. Current grant recipients may also apply to propose a new or different project or to change or augment the scope of their current grant.

An Applicant must demonstrate in its Application that:

· The Applicant is in sound fiscal condition.

· The Applicant is authorized to engage in the execution of contracts, subcontracts and/or memoranda of understanding with appropriate parties/agencies.

· The Applicant is authorized to change policy within its organization if its proposed Project includes that activity.

· The proposed Project will serve one or more local police departments, sheriff’s offices or other justice and public safety entity.

· The proposed Project is intended for promoting successful diversions from arrest (when safe and appropriate) and for promoting other interventions alternative to the use of force and detention (i.e., alternative pathways to treatment in lieu of justice involvement.)

All Applications to DMH’s Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant Program must be submitted online and are only accepted using The Commonwealth’s web-based system, COMMBUYS. Further details and training information for this system is available at https://www.commbuys.com/bso/

Grant Match Welcome but Not Required Applicants are encouraged to provide local resources to further support a grant program. Any personnel costs incurred by the program that will not be charged to the grant and/or office/facilities or materials costs provided in-kind should be reflected in the total program budget and listed as an offset. Actual offsets expended in connection with the grant Project will be considered to be a local match. Although costs will be considered in making grant awards and proposals of matching funds will be weighted favorably (see Section I), a local match is not a requirement to receive a grant award from this program.

C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS AND GRANTEES

All applicants for funding under the DMH Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Program must involve their respective local officials in the identification of community needs, the development of applications, funding requests and the development of the community’s overarching implementation strategy for the proposed grant program (Community Implementation Strategy).

Community-Based Planning Requirement

DMH grant programs take cognizance of municipal efforts to engage in community-based assessment and planning that identify strategies to address local needs. DMH seeks to fund Projects identified through meaningful, public community-based planning and priority setting processes. All proposed projects must be consistent with community efforts to identify needs and engage in strategic planning for addressing those needs and must have broad support locally. All Applicants must demonstrate engagement in a local planning process and be able to demonstrate project consistency with a Community Implementation Strategy that must be included in the Grant Application Form.

Community Implementation Strategy

Applicants’ responses must articulate a Community Implementation Strategy, which serves to summarize various goals adopted by the Applicant’s community relative to its public safety services and outlines a plan to accomplish those goals. The Applicant’s Community Implementation Strategy must reference various planning initiatives under consideration or approved by a locally elected or appointed body, or by Town Meeting. In addition, the Strategy must also reference the community’s plan for and implementation of the proposed Project and how it would complement related efforts in the community. The Strategy’s purpose must be consistent with the Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant Program Priorities and Objectives.

Selected grant activity components included in a project proposal must relate in a logical way to and be reflected in the Strategy. The Strategy must explain how the community expects to address its goals and the DMH priorities within the proposed grant project.

The Community Implementation Strategy may reference or incorporate findings of relevant plans and analyses that have been completed and used for decision-making purposes by municipal boards, agencies and departments. Such plans may include but are not limited to Master Plans, Downtown Plans, Area Revitalization Strategies, Urban Renewal Plans, the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, or a Community Action Statement (CAS). The Strategy and the Grant Application should have received favorable support through discussion in a public forum, meeting, or hearing prior to the submission of a Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant Application by a municipality. Individual and Provider Applicants should likewise discuss their plans to apply for DMH grant support in a public forum, meeting, or hearing with the applicable municipalities they intend to partner with.

In a regional application there must be a separate Community Implementation Strategy for each community and all communities must participate in vetting the strategies and grant application.

D. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS, USE OF JAIL/ARREST DIVERSION FUNDS

The following Projects are eligible for funding under the Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant Program:

· Crisis Intervention Team (C.I.T.) Program

· (Single Department or Regional)

· C.I.T. Training & Technical Assistance Center (C.I.T. – T.T.A.C.)

· Co-Response Program

· (Single Department or Regional)

· Co-Response Training & Technical Assistance Center (C.R.-T.T.A.C.)

· Component Jail/Arrest Diversion Program

· (Single Department or Regional)

· Training/Backfill Reimbursement

· Trainer/Consultant/Research

· Community Planning

· Police Drop-Off Centers

· Behavioral Health Intervention Program (BHIP)

Applicants must select one of the Project models from this list from which to orient their proposal. Projects may consist of one or several activity components. Please see Section (E) for the list and description of eligible grant activity components and see Exhibits 1. - 10. for detailed descriptions of each type of Project listed above. Applicants may apply for support for more than one of the above listed Project types; however, a separate Application packet is required for each Project type requested. Each Application will be reviewed separately. An Applicant may be qualified and included on DMH’s Master Service Agreement List for more than one Project type. However, Applicants may only submit one Application for any one Project type.

LIMITATIONS ON USE OF GRANT FUNDS

· Costs that are not specifically identified in an Applicant’s budget (ATTACHMENT D) and accepted by DMH as part of a grant/contract will not be reimbursed.

· Costs or expenses incurred by Applicants responding to this RFA (preparing/assembling a response) may not be charged to a DMH grant or otherwise to DMH in any event.

· Costs for capital items (if applicable/permissible) that are charged to the grant must be reflected in the approved budget and the percentage of an item’s cost charged to the grant cannot exceed the percentage of actual use for direct grant activities. Only capital items for certain Project types and directly related to and necessary for a supported grant activity are eligible for reimbursement from the grant.

· Start-up costs may be proposed, but they must be budgeted in year one of the Grant/Contract only and may not exceed $10,000.00.

E. JAIL/ARREST DIVERSION PROGRAM ACTIVITY COMPONENTS

This section briefly describes the reimbursable activity components of the Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant Program. Different projects may include different combinations of these activity components. Each activity component description includes eligible uses and when pertinent, its association with Project types. The program activity components are:

1. Program Coordination

2. Administrative Support Personnel

3. Policy & Procedure Implementation

4. Program Materials

5. Stakeholder Meetings & Community Participation

6. Technical Assistance/Consultation/Research

7. Behavioral Health Clinician Personnel

8. Behavioral Health Para-professional Personnel

9. Substance Use Disorder Outreach Personnel

10. First Responder/EMT Personnel

11. In-Service Training (incl. cross training)

12. Off-Site Training (incl. cross training)

13. Backfill Shift Coverage reimbursement

14. Provision of Regional/Statewide Training (as Host)

15. Training Topic Presenters

16. Training Facilities and Materials

17. Conference Participation

18. Data Collection & Outcome Reporting

19. Post Encounter Follow-Up

20. Site-based Diversion Service

21. Mobile Diversion Service

22. Telephonic Diversion Service

23. Creation/Maintenance of Regional Resource Listing

24. Mobile Community Services Team

Program Activity Components are explained as follows:

1. Program Coordination- Grantees may budget funds from their grant to hire a full time or part time person to develop, coordinate and oversee any and all activities and operations relative to the Jail/Arrest Diversion program or service.

2. Administrative Support Personnel- Grantees may budget funds from their grant to hire a full time or part time person to provide administrative support to operations relative to a large-scale Jail/Arrest Diversion program or service.

3. Policy and Procedure Implementation- Public Safety Department Grantees should review and evaluate current policies and procedures to determine if additions or changes are necessary to implement the Jail/Arrest Diversion program or to capitalize on any new training their personnel have received. Public Safety Department Grantees may budget funds from their grant to conduct this activity. Consultant Grantees may budget funds to develop, assemble and provide to their consultees sample policy and procedures, or to aid with review and evaluation activities.

4. Program Materials- Grantees may budget funds from their grant to purchase program supplies and materials for necessary educational and operational activities and to purchase minor items of equipment and furnishings (that are not required to be capitalized) and are routinely needed specifically for and in support of the Jail/Arrest Diversion program or service.

5. Stakeholder Meetings and Community Participation- Grantees may budget funds from their grant to organize, coordinate, and host community stakeholder meetings, collaboratives, or bilateral meetings. Such meetings are necessary to raise awareness of new Jail/Arrest Diversion initiatives, develop partnerships, recognize opportunities to collaborate, and to identify and plan around local resource gaps that need to be addressed to assist public safety responders. This activity supports the primary goal to divert people with mental illness (with and without co-occurring substance use disorders) from the criminal justice system and into treatment. Grantees may also elect to send their personnel to attend pre-existing community meetings and forums that would provide an opportunity to network and contribute to related community initiatives and efforts. Such meetings are necessary to:

· raise awareness of new Jail/Arrest Diversion initiatives

· develop local partnerships

· identify opportunities to collaborate and improve operations (e.g., between police and local Crisis Services)

· clarify information sharing procedures, information sharing limits and allowances in accord with state and federal privacy statutes, between law enforcement and social/health services entities

· develop a shared response and/or engagement plan for individuals with behavioral health challenges that have frequent and/or repetitive encounters with law enforcement

· collaborate on solutions to local resource gaps that need to be addressed to assist public safety responders to divert people with behavioral health disorders from the criminal justice system and into treatment

6. Technical Assistance/Consultation//Training/Research- Grantees may budget funds from their grant to reimburse for time and materials in the provision of technical assistance, consultation, and/or classroom training services to police departments or other public safety departments at any stage of a community’s planning, development and/or maintenance of a jail/arrest diversion program. Consultation services shall be provided by individuals possessing specialized experience or expertise in matters of Jail/Arrest Program development, implementation, management, policy and procedures and program evaluation/measurement. Grantees under this project type may also compile and provide catalogs of local resources for distribution to first responders and the public. Classroom training services shall be provided by individuals possessing specialized experience or expertise in law enforcement and behavioral health, veteran’s populations, various behavioral health subjects, or the service recipient’s perspective. (See also #15). As these are Grantee to Grantee activities, they must be coordinated with and approved by the DMH grant manager.

Grantees may budget funds from their grant to reimburse for time and materials in the provision of research services to DMH to examine the efficacy of Jail Diversion initiatives, model fidelity, and the impact of diversion efforts on unnecessary ED placements or arrest, or larger system dynamics that interface with and influence law enforcement diversion strategies and the public’s reliance on first responder services for behavioral health crisis needs.

7. Behavioral Health Clinician Personnel- Co-response and Component Program Grantees may budget funds from their grant to hire directly or sub-contract for a full time or a part time behavioral health clinician to be directly available to work within the police department to respond to behavioral health-related calls (EDP’s) together with first responders and/or to provide a number of other specialized functions in support of a department’s jail/arrest diversion initiative. Drop-off Center, Grantees may budget funds from their grant to hire a full time or a part time behavioral health clinician(s) to serve individuals referred by public safety first responders that may have immediate needs for assistance, assessment, de-escalation, stabilization & referral to appropriate follow-up assistance, related to a behavioral health concern. CIT Program Grantees may budget funds from their grant to hire directly or sub-contract for a full time or a part time behavioral health clinician to be directly available to work within the police department to assist CIT officers with follow up visits with individuals and/or to provide a number of other specialized functions in support of a department’s CIT operations.

8. Behavioral Health Para-professional Personnel- Drop-off Center Grantees may budget funds from their grant to hire full time or part time behavioral health para-professional staff to serve individuals referred by public safety first responders that may have immediate needs for assistance, assessment, de-escalation, stabilization & referral to appropriate follow-up assistance, related to a behavioral health concern.

9. Substance Use Disorder Outreach Personnel- Behavioral Health Intervention Program Grantees may budget funds from their grant to hire full time or part time para-professional staff to serve as part of a team of first responders that will be making assertive efforts to engage individuals at high risk from substance use activities in immediate assistance, assessment, counseling & referral to appropriate follow-up assistance, related to a substance use disorder concern.

10. First Responder/EMT Personnel- Behavioral Health Intervention Program Grantees may budget funds from their grant to support full time or part time public health and public safety personnel to serve on a multi-disciplinary community outreach team established for the purpose of providing immediate assistance, assessment, de-escalation, stabilization & referral to appropriate follow-up assistance, related to a substance use disorder and/or other behavioral health concern.

11. In-Service Training- Grantees may budget funds from their grant to hire an outside trainer to provide behavioral health training (and cross training) to personnel at their worksite and for related incidental costs. Grantees may also budget funds from their grant to cover incidental costs when providing a behavioral health jail/arrest diversion training to personnel at their worksite by an on-staff instructor.

12. Off-site Training- Grantees may budget funds from their grant for registration fees to send personnel to relevant behavioral health trainings (and cross training) off-site.

13. Backfill Shift Coverage reimbursement- Grantees may budget funds from their grant to reimburse their department for additional payroll costs incurred when personnel are unavailable for shift duty as a result of behavioral health jail/arrest diversion training attendance or attendance at jail/arrest diversion meetings and replacement personnel must be placed on duty to cover those shifts.

14. Provision of Regional/Statewide Training- C.I.T.-T.T.A.C. and C.I.T. Grantees may budget funds from their grant to provide C.I.T. training to their own personnel, to the personnel of other public safety department personnel and similar personnel from other municipalities. Co-Response T.T.A.C. Grantees may budget funds from their grant to provide training to clinical personnel, MHFA and other topical training to law enforcement and other public safety department personnel from their municipal partner communities. Reimbursable costs may include: coordination activities, curriculum development, educational materials, trainer fees/honoraria, refreshments and (if necessary) facilities.

15. Training Topic Presenters- Classroom training services shall be provided by individuals possessing specialized experience or expertise in law enforcement and behavioral health, veteran’s populations, various behavioral health subjects, or the service recipient’s perspective. Presenters, if DMH Grantees, will provide their services free of additional charge to trainees and host organizations. Alternatively, C.I.T., C.I.T.-T.T.A.C., C.R.-T.T.A.C., Co-response, and Component Program grantees may budget funds from their grant to hire free-lance individuals or commercial organizations possessing specialized experience or expertise in law enforcement and behavioral health, veteran’s populations, various behavioral health subjects, or the behavioral health service recipient’s perspective, and/or other related certified trainers to present topics for a Grantee’s training needs.

16. Training Facilities & Materials- Grantees may budget funds from their grant to be reimbursed for educational materials, refreshments and (if necessary) facilities costs.

17. Conference Participation- Grantees may seek or seek to maintain current knowledge of statewide and national Jail/Arrest Diversion initiatives, evidenced based, best, and emerging practices through attendance at pertinent conferences. Grantees may budget funds from their grant to be reimbursed for sending personnel to conferences, including the costs of registration fees, transportation, (and if necessary) lodging and meals. Conference costs to a grant in excess of $1,000 per year require prior approval from the DMH grant manager.

18. Data Collection & Outcome Reporting- All Grantees are required to provide data in support of quarterly billing and outcome measurement reports on the grant activities associated with the Project. C.I.T., Co-Response, and Component Program grantees will also be required to collect and provide encounter-level data. Grantees should include the anticipated costs of additional personnel time, equipment or materials when constructing their budgets.

19. Post Encounter Follow-up- C.I.T., Co-Response, and Component Program grantees may budget funds from their grant to be reimbursed for deploying personnel to conduct post-encounter follow-up visits. The purpose of these visits may include general follow-up after a concerning police encounter that resulted in a behavioral health jail/arrest diversion, wellness checks related to behavioral health concerns, conducting a notification of a death, or visiting a person about to release from a facility into the community. Grantees may budget funds from their grant if such additional costs are anticipated.

20. Site-Based Diversion Service- Site-based Drop-off center Grantees will provide alternative drop-off destination(s) for individuals that may have immediate needs for assistance, assessment, de-escalation, stabilization & referral to appropriate follow-up assistance, related to a behavioral health concern. Drop-off center services must be capable of receiving individuals brought by police with little or no notice, as an arrest diversion and/or a Hospital Emergency Department or Courthouse diversion. Grantees may budget funds for personnel, facilities, equipment program materials/supplies, meals, staff travel, staff training, and administrative costs.

21. Mobile Diversion Service- Mobile Diversion Service Grantees will provide a rapid response staff person or team available on-call to police to outreach individuals that may have immediate needs for assistance, assessment, de-escalation, stabilization & referral to appropriate follow-up assistance that is related to a behavioral health concern, as an arrest diversion and/or a Hospital Emergency Department or Courthouse diversion. Grantees may budget funds for personnel, facilities, equipment, program materials/supplies, meals, staff travel, staff training, and administrative costs.

22. Telephonic Diversion Service- Grantees may budget funds for providing telephonic services, reachable from a toll-free number that police could offer the public as part of their diversion intervention. The service would function as a “warm line” that can be offered to the person served or to the person’s family members who may be in need of assistance, support and advice relative to getting help with a behavioral health matter, after an encounter with police.

23. Creation/Maintenance of Regional Resource Listing- Provision of an up-to-date, comprehensive health, social service, treatment, housing, local agency and programs listing to law enforcement, other first responders, and members of the public when experiencing a crisis situation, proactively, or post intervention.

24. Mobile Community Services Team- a behavioral health intervention program team (including a program coordinator, EMT, behavioral health clinician, and SUD outreach worker) that will work closely with existing police-based behavioral health responses to support individuals who are at ongoing risk of arrest, overdose, medical complications, and other behavioral health related harm.

F. ALLOCATION OF JAIL/ARREST DIVERSION FUNDS TO GRANTEES

DMH funds are subject to initial state and federal fiscal appropriations and any subsequent mid-year budget revisions. Total funds allocated under this program vary from year to year. The amount of total funds available from FY18 – FY23 have been increasing annually. DMH makes annual decisions about the allocation of funds that will be distributed during the fiscal year to Qualified Projects from cities, towns and providers on this RFA’s Master Service Agreement List that have pending requests for fiscal support. Grant awards can be made by DMH at any time during the fiscal year and will proceed until all available funds are obligated and expended.

Periodically, when any funds in excess of full subscription are available for the Massachusetts Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant Program, notice will be posted on COMMBUYS.

An Applicant determined to have a Qualified Project submitted and included on DMH’s Master Service Agreement Provider List under this RFA will remain on the Master Service Agreement List for the duration of the procurement period. A Qualified Project that does not receive an immediate award of funding will remain funding eligible, but on waitlist status. DMH will periodically communicate with waitlisted Applicants to advise them on projected wait times. An applicant and their Qualified Project will remain eligible but waiting for funds unless or until (1) the Applicant elects to withdraw from the Master Service Agreement List or (2) when the RFA procurement period ends (June 30, 2027).

Procurement Calendar

Submission of Questions through COMMBUYS “Bid Q&A” and anticipated Response Dates.:

Questions submitted on COMMBUYS will be have responses published on COMMBUYS periodically. DMH expects to review questions at a minimum every 90 days. (See Section J.)

Applications Accepted:

Deadline for Filing Applications:

An Application may be filed any time on or after November 10, 2017.

November 1, 2026, 4 pm.

Initial Review of Review of Applications

December 8 - December 15, 2017. Applications received at any time in the procurement period will be reviewed by DMH upon receipt. DMH expects to review newly submitted Applications at a minimum every 30 days.

Applications filed after November 24, 2017 will be reviewed within ninety (90) days of receipt or sooner. Applicants determined to be Qualified and whose proposed Project is Approved will be added to the Master Service Agreement List as they are identified in the review process. (See Section I.)

After December 2017, Grants will be awarded as funding becomes available and as needs are identified and prioritized. (See Section I.)

New funds If additional funds become available within the duration of the RFA, DMH reserves the right to increase the funding of any or all of the Grant(s)/Contract(s) awarded under this RFA or to execute Grants/Contracts with Applicants on the Master Agreement List who have not yet received a grant. Increases pursuant to this paragraph are subject to available funding, satisfactory Grant/Contract performance and service need.

When new funds become available, DMH will place a notice on COMMBUYS.

Re-allocation of funds During any fiscal year, DMH may have cause to recapture previously obligated program funds from non-performing Grantees; or there may be small amounts of residual program funds from Grantees that have met their objectives under budget; or there may be opportunities to recapture program funds generated from unplanned, but extensive personnel vacancies; or there may be savings due to minimal demand for one or more program activity or component. These funds may be reallocated by DMH within the fiscal year as if they are new funds. DMH reserves the right to increase or decrease the funding allocation to a Grant within the fiscal year under any of the above stated circumstances.

G. AVAILABILITY OF JAIL/ARREST DIVERSION PROGRAM FUNDS

It is the responsibility of the prospective Applicant/Contractor to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS. It is the Applicant/Contractor’s responsibility to keep their contact information current. If this information changes, the Applicant/Contractor must notify the DMH Grant Manager by email, using the address located in the Header Information of the Purchase Order or Master Blanket Purchase Order on COMMBUYS.

The Commonwealth assumes no responsibility if an Applicant/Contractor’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the Applicant/Contractor’s computer, network or internet service provider (ISP), cause e-mail communications between the Applicant/Contractor and DMH to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering.

This RFA is procured pursuant to 815 CMR 2.00: STATE GRANTS, FEDERAL GRANT AWARDS, FEDERAL SUBGRANTS AND SUBSIDIES.

The Contractor awarded a grant under this program will be reimbursed on a cost reimbursement basis, pursuant to the approved contract budget and the Maximum Obligation amount set for the grant. Each final grant budget and Maximum Obligation Amount will be negotiated between DMH and the selected Applicant. DMH reserves the right at any time to change the reimbursement method for the grant(s) resulting from this procurement during the duration of the RFA. Methods could include payment of fixed amounts upon the completion of deliverables as set forth in the grant Terms and Conditions pricing options such as, but not limited to cost reimbursement, accommodation rate, unit rate, payment based on deliverables, risk sharing or capitated rate.

A Grantee will be required to invoice DMH as specified in the terms and conditions of the grant. Invoices will include documentation of expenditures during the invoice period and reports on status of completion of deliverables (where applicable) as specified in the grant entered into between DMH and the Grantee/Contractor.

The decision to award a grant and any subsequent grant renewal is subject to appropriations, performance of the Grantee, the needs of DMH and the provisions of the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions.

The duration of the grants/contracts awarded under this RFA may be of one (1), two (2), or three (3) year cycles, with the potential for up to seven (7) one-year additional options to renew (depending the Project type, DMH and the Applicant’s preference, and on the date of Application). Contract durations will be initially determined at the time of award. For multi-year Grants, the Grantee must renew and DMH must approve the Grantee’s funding request each subsequent fiscal year.

DMH reserves the right to make amendments to the RFA after initial publication. It is each Bidder’s responsibility to check COMMBUYS for any amendments, addenda or modifications to this RFA, and any Q&A records related to this RFA. DMH and the Commonwealth accepts no responsibility and will provide no accommodation to Applicants who submit a Quote based on an out-of-date RFA or on information received from a source other than COMMBUYS.

This RFA does not commit DMH to award a grant/contract or to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of an Application. DMH reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Applications received as a result of this RFA, to negotiate with any or all qualified Applicants and to cancel in part or in its entirety the RFA if it is in the best interest of DMH and the Commonwealth to do so.

H. DMH REQUIREMENTS & PREFERENCES OF GRANTEES

Upon the successful application, award and contract execution, Grantees must conduct their component activities cognizant of DMH’s preferences and will be responsible for adhering to the following requirements:

DMH Regulations and Policies and Compliance with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Regulations Regarding Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). A Grantee/Contractor must comply with all applicable DMH regulations and policies and adhere to EOHHS regulations regarding the completion of CORI checks when hiring employees or employing volunteers for the program/center and/or service funded under this RFA. (See Mass.gov Guidance and Information for Organizations Subject to the CORI Regulations at 101 CMR 15.00.) For a list of DMH regulations and policies and statutes relevant to DMH, see ATTACHMENT E entitled “Department of Mental Health - Applicable Statutes, Policies and Procedures” in the Attachment section of the Bid’s COMMBUYS File.

DMH Mission Statement: Each Grantee/Contractor will be responsible for ensuring that the mission and values of DMH, and when applicable, DMH policies, directives, procedures, and initiatives, are integrated and adhered to in all grant activities and by all staff members. DMH’s vision and mission statements are set forth in ATTACHMENT E.

Coalition Among key local entities: A Grantee/Contractor must have a strong coalition among the local law enforcement department, its municipal leaders and colleagues, as well as the local social service agencies, emergency service providers and community mental health service providers in the community or communities that its Program/Center plans to serve.

Memoranda of Understanding (MOU’s): For certain Projects, a Grantee/Contractor must demonstrate appropriate affiliations (memorandums of understanding, letters of support, etc.) with other stakeholders, such as courts, relevant community organizations, social service agencies, etc. For instance, if a non-profit or not-for profit organization is filing an Application for a CIT-TTAC grant, the organization must demonstrate in its Application that it is submitting the Application in partnership with one or more specified public entities. It is preferred that the Applicant submit letters of support from organizations that they intend to enter into affiliations with, but at a minimum, a list of such organizations should be included in their Applications.

Program Outcome and Reporting: A Grantee/Contractor must prepare and submit to DMH such reports as DMH shall deem necessary. Additionally, a Grantee/Contractor must work with DMH to identify program evaluation criteria, track progress and provide outcome and project information in a timely fashion. At a minimum, the Grantee/Contractor must track the number of persons trained and hours of training provided and furnish DMH with data related to the impact of such training on outcomes for police calls that involve persons in crisis or have behavioral health difficulties.

A Grantee/Contractor must provide information to DMH on an as-requested basis. DMH has standardized the format for data collection, applicable to certain projects (see ATTACHMENT B and ATTACHMENT C). When applicable, Grantees/Contractors will be required to use the standardized format. When applicable, Grantees/Contractors must provide the following:

· Data entry into the DMH Statewide CIT and Police-Based Jail Diversion Database through the use of HTML forms which are submitted via email to DMH at jaildiversion@massmail.state.ma.us according to the schedule specified by DMH (see ATTACHMENT B)

· A Quarterly Summary (see ATTACHMENT C) depending on the program model type, summarizing the prior three months program activities, including any noteworthy changes/trends, staffing changes, important incidents, tracks police training, development of the jail diversion program, and enhancement of collaboration through increased stakeholder participation.

· Deliverables documentation and billing information as agreed to by the Applicant and DMH.

Use and Ownership of Data and Software. All data acquired by a Grantee/Contractor from DMH, or from others in the performance of the Grant, (including, but not limited to, personal data) shall be and remain the property of DMH. DMH shall be given free and full access at all reasonable times to all such data. All finished or unfinished studies, analyses, flow charts, electronic media, design documents, program specifications, programs, schedules and planning documents, forms, reports, and any other documentation, including modifications thereto, prepared, acquired, designed, improved or developed by the Grantee/Contractor for delivery to DMH under the Grant shall be and remain the property of DMH.

A Grantee/Contractor shall not disseminate, reproduce, display or publish any report, map, information, data or other materials or documents produced in whole or in part pursuant to the Grant without the prior written consent of DMH, nor shall any such report, map, information, data or other materials or documents be the subject of an Application for patent or copyright by or on behalf of a Grantee/Contractor without the prior written consent of the current DMH Assistant Commissioner. A Grantee/Contractor shall use DMH-owned data, materials and documents, before or after this termination or expiration of the Grant, only as required for the performance of the Grant. It will not otherwise use DMH-owned or Commonwealth-owned data, materials or documents, nor copy or reproduce the same in any form, except pursuant to express written instructions from DMH.

A Grantee/Contractor further agrees to return DMH-owned or Commonwealth-owned data, materials and documents promptly, but in no event later than seven (7) days upon DMH request, in whatever forms they are maintained by the Grantee/Contractor and/or at the direction of DMH to destroy such data. A Grantee/Contractor shall be required to submit to DMH for its prior review and approval any and all proposed research projects, publications, and other communications to any entity or individual that are outside the scope of the Grantee’s/Contractor’s direct performance obligations under the Grant.

Self and Group Evaluation: DMH may require a Grantee/Contractor to formally evaluate its process of planning and implementing its program/center and/or service. A Grantee/Contractor may also be required to participate in a collective evaluation of all Jail/Arrest diversion programs/centers and/or services administered by DMH.

Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI), Juvenile Justice Alternative Pathways Program, Family Resource Centers, Alternative Lock-Up Programs for Youth, and the state's efforts to examine and reduce Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC)/Racial and Ethnic Disparity (RED) among youth in the juvenile justice system: A Grantee/Contractor must have knowledge of JDAI and Massachusetts’ efforts (consistent with federal efforts) to redirect youth into treatment and reduce…