Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Clinician Training for OhioMHAS FY26-27

1. MISSION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The mission of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is to provide statewide leadership of a high-quality mental health and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery system that is effective and valued by all Ohioans. OhioMHAS strives to be a national leader in implementing a comprehensive, accessible, and quality-focused system of addiction and mental health care and wellness for all Ohio citizens.

1. PURPOSE

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to

1. BACKGROUND

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) (P.L. 117-159) provides supplemental funding for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) to enable states, the District of Columbia, and territories to expand access to mental health care. Overseen by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the BSCA supplemental funding seeks to support state behavioral health systems in examining what is needed to address the mental health needs in the aftermath of traumatic events and natural disasters within our communities. To address the massive disruption and loss of life caused by these crises, SAMHSA is recommending that states utilize this funding to strengthen and enhance behavioral health disaster preparedness and crisis response efforts. This funding provides a unique opportunity to develop improved and sustainable public behavioral health systems that are more adept at meeting the needs of vulnerable people, including those with more complex presentations. OhioMHAS, through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) (P.L. 117-159) made available by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), intends to use BSCA funding to enhance emergency preparedness and response to offset the traumatic experiences and lingering consequences of tragedies that may occur within Ohio communities, such as natural disasters, mass shootings, and other large-scale man-made and terrorist events. OhioMHAS wants to ensure that licensed clinicians are equipped with modalities to be able to immediately deploy essential supports and resources in the aftermath of such tragedies. This opportunity will provide funding to a contractor to conduct Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) training and consultation to licensed behavioral health clinicians in Ohio. EMDR is a mental health therapy treatment modality that is designed to reduce emotional distress caused by traumatic memories and events. Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR has been shown to be an effective treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but can be helpful for other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression and can be used to address other distressing life experiences including those resulting from disasters.

1. SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

All work outlined in the Scope of Work and Deliverables must be completed by September, 29, 2026. Contractor will provide the following: Trainings

• Develop content and materials for two EMDR trainings; one in Knox County and one in Athens County
  • Trainings can be in-person, virtual, or hybrid
  • Supply virtual platform for virtual attendees, as needed
  • Manage both in-person and virtual groups in training activities, as needed
  • Work with OhioMHAS staff to determine the best and most effective training cadence
• Trainings are to be provided to clinicians with a license. Licenses include LPC, LPCC, LPCC-S, LISW, LISW-S, MFT, IMFT, IMFT-S, LICDC, LICDC-CS. Clinicians eligible for training must have a minimum of a master's degree.
• Complete all trainings by September 29, 2026

Consultation

• Provide 10 hours of consultation to each participant who has completed the training
• Complete all consultations by September 29, 2026

Contractor Responsibilities

• Contractor will complete the scope of work
• Contractor will provide training materials, staffing, and staffing expenses.
• Contractor will provide and manage the virtual platform for the virtual and/or hybrid trainings, as needed.
• Contractor will manage training registration and any fees associated with registration including refunding fees at the completion of the training. Registration must include attendee name, email address, license type, license number, and place of employment.
• Contractor must obtain, provide, and oversee management of continuing educational credits for attendees. This includes obtaining approval for CEUs, reporting course credit hours in a brokerage system, and supplying proof of completion (i.e., certificate).
• Contractor must use a system that records attendance and hours completed in consultation.
• Contractor must share all registrant, participant, and successful completion information with OhioMHAS for future follow-up.

OhioMHAS Responsibilities

• OhioMHAS will consult with Contractor to determine the best and most effective training cadence.
• OhioMHAS will consult with Contractor to determine times and dates for trainings.
• OhioMHAS will consult with Contractor and obtain venues that meet the training needs and schedule those trainings with the venue.
• OhioMHAS will manage and conduct all marketing for the trainings.

1. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTOR

The Contractor must be able to provide the training outlined within the Scope of Work section of this RFP. The selected Contractor must be a licensed clinician (i.e., LSW, LISW, LISW-S, LPC, LPCC, LPCC-S, IMFT, IMFT-S, LICDC, LICDC-CS), an EMDRIA Certified Therapist, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer. Contractor will need to provide previous work experience, proof of licensure and credentials, and references to demonstrate their experience and ability to provide EMDR training. Contractor shall not be subject to an "unresolved" finding for recovery under Section 9.24 of Ohio Revised Code.