Systemwide Needs Program Citywide Crisis Intervention Services

The Orleans Parish School Board (NOLA Public Schools) is requesting proposals for comprehensive, citywide crisis intervention services for PK-12 students, staff, and school communities across New Orleans public schools, with proposals due September 22, 2026, and a virtual pre-proposal meeting on September 4, 2026 at 9:00 A.M.

A DBE goal of 35 percent applies (weighted at 10 points in evaluation). Proposers must demonstrate that at least 25 percent of total program costs derive from sources other than the Systemwide Needs Program grant; NOLA-PS will provide up to $300,000 per year to support the initiative. Eligible organizations must maintain documented experience delivering crisis intervention in PK-12 school settings, a roster of licensed mental health professionals (Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, or licensed Psychologists), and rapid multi-site deployment capacity. Full compliance with FERPA and HIPAA and professional liability insurance are required.

The scope spans two pillars: Crisis Response, requiring licensed mental health professionals deployed within defined timeframes for on-site and virtual counseling, psychological first aid, post-crisis stabilization, and family consultation in response to student or staff death, threats of violence or self-harm, suicide attempts, serious injuries, natural disasters, and community violence; and Prevention and Capacity Building, including suicide prevention and domestic violence awareness training for school staff, universal mental health and trauma screening implementation, review of current case management practices with recommendations, and development of a citywide crisis prevention and response framework. Proposers must submit fully itemized budgets identifying cost per crisis response event and documenting SWNP-funded versus school-funded portions and matching funds from other sources.

The contract term is one year with two optional one-year renewals, contingent on fund availability and alignment with NOLA Public Schools' Strategic Plan of Action. Pricing comprises 10 percent of evaluation scoring. Evaluation emphasizes organizational experience and qualifications (18 points), crisis response model quality (14 points), prevention and capacity-building plan quality (14 points), staffing qualifications and licensure (9 points), responsiveness and availability (9 points), and cultural responsiveness and equity (10 points). Questions are due September 9, 2026 at 4:00 P.M. Potential oral presentations for the top 2–4 proposers are scheduled for September 30–October 1, 2026. Submissions go to procurement@nolapublicschools.com.