RLC Community Listening Session COMMBUYS Flyer rmw.docx

Invitation to Attend an On-Line Forum to Provide Information to the Department of Mental Health on Recovery Learning Communities (DMH # 2017-DMH-3014-01)

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking input from individuals and community organizations regarding Recovery Learning Community (RLC) services. DMH Recovery Learning Communities are going out for procurement in December 2026. See the Intent Post on COMMBUYS BD-26-1022-DMH08-8220A-127701 dated April 7, 2026, COMMBUYS - Bid Summary (docId=BD-26-1022-DMH08-8220A-127701). We are asking interested parties to participate in on-line forums to (1) gather input about existing services, (2) receive suggestions about contract improvement and potential changes to future service, (3) determine if there is anything about the service model that may create barriers to accessing RLC support, and (4) solicit information about how RLCs market services and how outreach can be improved. Specifically, DMH is seeking your input in answering the questions set forth below in this Invitation.

On-line forums are scheduled for:

Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 2 pm to 3 pm Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5 pm to 6 pm Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 10 am to 11 am

Three time and date options are available to attend a forum to ensure maximum participation. Interested parties need to attend only one session to provide input.

ASL Interpreters are confirmed for all three online forums.

To participate in the forum, attendees need to register by sending an email to Ashley.A.Sproul@mass.gov. The email must state the names of individuals who plan on attending and the provider organization, as applicable.

DMH is interested in hearing from community members, advocacy organizations, and other service providers that are not traditional DMH providers. Other interested parties are welcome to attend.

The following are the links to join the forums:

Session #1 Tuesday April 28th 2-3pm https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76626309347 Meeting ID: 766 2630 9347

Session #2 Wednesday April 29th 5-6pm https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6844408730?omn=84552147100&jst=2 Meeting ID: 684 440 8730

Session #3 Thursday April 30th 10-11am https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6844408730?omn=84198127113&jst=2 Meeting ID: 684 440 8730

POTENTIAL FORUM QUESTIONS:

1. Target Service Populations

· Who are RLCs serving?

· Who should RLCs be serving?

· Are there populations who would benefit from RLC services who may experience barriers accessing support?

2. Service Offerings

· What kind of services should RLCs be offering?

· What kind of non-clinical services would be most impactful for a person’s recovery?

3. Program Marketing and Outreach

· How effective is RLC marketing?

· What strategies should be employed to reach populations that have historically experienced barriers to utilizing RLCs?

4. Capacity and Location

· Are there concerns about being able to acquire a physical site, sufficient staffing, or any other resources needed to open an RLC?

· What factors should determine where an RLC is located?

DMH encourages providers to attend, and we thank you in advance for your time and assistance on the issues presented. We believe that RLCs are a valuable resource, and we would like to see an expansion in their use.

RECOVERY LEARNING COMMUNITY BACKGROUND

A RLC is a peer support service for individuals who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness or who have experienced emotional distress or significant mental health challenges and who may also have or have had substance use issues. Through peer support a RLC (1) provides a range of recovery support services; (2) supports the RLC peer workforce and, when requested by DMH or other entities, the peer workforce within that Area, through training, continuing education, and consultation; and (3) links RLC Community Members with recovery-oriented services and supports to assist in responding to Community Members’ needs, aspirations and goals as they evolve over time.

RLC peer activities and supports address the specific needs of the Community Members it serves, including, but not limited to, those who are older adults, transition-age youth, individuals experiencing homelessness, Deaf and hard of hearing, LGBTQIA, as well as the families of Community Members.

Participation in an RLC is not an end into itself, but an additional step toward recovery. The purpose of RLC is to help Community Members achieve full participation in the community.