U009--Notice of Intent to Sole Source RISE for Health and Human Services Virtual Training 703-23-2-1003-0042

Statement of Work

Background: The Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) Vet Center Program consists of community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Readjustment counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services.

In the execution of the Readjustment Counseling Service/Vet Center Program mission and per VHA Directive 1500.2, it is critical that all staff cohorts receive regular training, customized to agency specific requirements, to maintain an engaged and competent workforce within the RCS District 1, Vet Center Program.

Scope: Provide RISE (resilience, integration, self-awareness, engagement) for Health and Human Services (90 Minute RISE Bite) training virtually to 3 groups of Readjustment Counselors and 1 group of Vet Center Directors within RCS North Atlantic District 1. Contractor is responsible for providing trainers, access to virtual training platform, technical assistance to troubleshoot issues with virtual platform, all required course content (handouts, manuals, etc.) and documentation of course completion for each completing participant. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) consistent with hours of instruction are to be provided by contractor if available.

Purpose: The purpose of RISE (resilience, integration, self-awareness, engagement) for Health and Human Services (90 Minute RISE Bite) is to provide and interactive learning experience where counselors and Vet Center Directors will learn and improve skills that will:

Increase resilience to stress

Decrease compassion fatigue and symptoms of secondary trauma

Improve risk management

Enhance provider-client communication

Support a healthy workforce.

Improve mental fitness making it easier to stay calm, pay attention and situational awareness

Decrease performance anxiety

Training objectives include:

RISE for Health and Human Service Providers (90 Minute RISE Bite)

Instruction

Personal well-being

Career longevity

Science behind mindfulness based practices

Results of self-care on stress resilience and patient care

Practice

Stress resilience tools

Long Term Tools

Exploration of personal and system-wide barrier to mindful clinical practice

Map approach to reinvigorate work as related to mission and service

Self-care techniques for the professional

Completion of this training will improve the clinical competency of Readjustment Counselors and Vet Center Directors within the RCS District 1, Vet Center Program resulting in continued quality mental health care for Veterans, service members and their families.

Period of Performance: 04/01/2023-09/30/2023

Dates for each group session will be coordinated/scheduled with contractor upon award.

The following dates will not be considered.

05 JUN 2023 - 09 JUN 2023

21 AUG 2023 - 25 AUG 2023

Tasks/Delivery Schedule:

Preparation: Link to virtual platform, instructions to access platform, point of contact for technical assistance all required course content (handouts, manuals, etc.) will be provided no later than one week prior to each group session.

Training:

RISE (resilience, integration, self-awareness, engagement) for Health and Human Services (90 Minute RISE Bite).

Group 1 one 90 minute group session (Readjustment Counselors). No more than 100 participants.

Group 2 one 90 minute group session (Readjustment Counselors). No more than 100 participants.

Group 3 one 90 minute group session (Readjustment Counselors). No more than 100 participants.

Group 4 one 90 minute group session (Vet Center Directors). No more than 100 participants.

Location: Virtual

Proof of Completion: Contractor will provide attendance roster to Contract Officer Representative no later than 3 business days after each session. Documentation of course completion to include CEUs, if available by contractor, will be provided to each completing participant no later than 3 business days after completed group session.

Contractor Personnel Security Requirements: No Contractor/Subcontractor employees shall be permitted access to the Department of Veterans Affairs' computer systems at any time.

Government Responsibilities: RCS District 1 will provide a list of participants for each group session to contractor no later than 1 week prior to each group session.