Peer-Mentoring Mental Health and IDD Dual Diagnosis

1 Overview of Grant Opportunity & Desired Outcomes 1.1 CDD Mission The mission of the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is to enhance the lives of New Yorkers with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families through programs that promote self-advocacy, participation, and inclusion in all facets of community life. 1.2 Purpose and Funding Availability CDD is seeking proposals to develop a peer mentoring programs—a grantee may develop either one for people with dual IDD and mental health diagnoses or one for parents and caregivers of dually diagnosed family members. The funding available is $200,000 per year for four years per program. One grantee may apply to develop and implement both peer mentoring programs, but they will be required to submit two applications--one for each target population. 1.3 Term of Contract The contract awarded in response to this RFP will be for 4 years with an anticipated start date of April 1, 2026 and an end date of March 31, 2030. 1.4 Project Background It is vitally important to understand how to provide supports and services to those who are dually diagnosed with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. The prevalence of people with a dual diagnosis is estimated between 30% to 40%. Young adults aged 18-25 years had the highest prevalence of a mental health diagnosis (30.6%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (25.3%). The percentage of young adults,18-25 years old, with a mental health diagnosis who received mental health services (42.1%) was lower than adults, 26-49 years old, with a mental health diagnosis (46.6%). Based on discussions, CDD workgroup members suggested a model similar to the National Alliance Mental Illness (NAMI) peer-to-peer program. Peer supports and services have long been recognized as an approach for supporting people with a mental health diagnosis without IDD to self-manage mental health-related needs. Research also suggests that peer mentoring can support skill-development for people with IDD through psychoeducation, an evidence-based approach, that teaches people about mental health symptoms and coping strategies. Peer mentors who have life experiences with a mental health diagnosis can help reduce feelings of stigma through structured mentorship. Approach The CDD would like the prospective grantee(s) to develop a peer mentoring project that will link people with dual diagnosis in one-to-one supportive relationships—one program will be focused on adults with IDD, and one program focused on family members of people with dual-diagnoses. A single grantee may apply for both, but they will need to submit two separate applications--one for each of the intended target populations. The mental health profile of individuals selected for this model would be low to median risk. Mentors will receive training in psychoeducation, therapeutic skills, confidentiality, mandated reporting, and other topics as determined appropriate by the applicant. Each applicant must establish a protocol for response if a mentee expresses threat of harm to self or other(s), or if the mentor believes there is a threat of harm to self or other(s). Applicants must propose a program that will be overseen and administered by a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or other licensed mental health service provider. It is vital that mentors understand verbal and nonverbal ways of engaging to establish an environment that is conducive to building trust and rapport. Each mentoring program will be semi-structured to support mentors to provide meaningful support, while allowing for some free-form mentoring. The CDD is seeking two peer mentoring models: (1) for people with IDD (18 and older) who are dually diagnosed and (2) for parent/caregivers (18 and older) of dually diagnosed individuals. This two-tiered approach will help guide the participants in learning how to self-monitor and manage their moods to reduce mental health symptoms and teach the caregivers how to support those in their care to practice healthy coping and symptom management. Mentoring sessions would consist of several cohorts that engage in weekly sessions. Applicants have the discretion to determine the additional details of the program structure. CDD requires all grants establish a grant advisory council, with representation of people with dual diagnoses and family members/caregivers, to help determine the precise structure and duration of the program. The peer mentoring project will include: 4 to 8 peer mentoring cohorts. 16 weekly sessions with mentors and mentees A script or outline that will guide the mentors in various activities during mentoring sessions. Psychoeducation training, including coping strategies and other content based on mentee need. Mentor training consisting of but not limited to psychoeducation, therapeutic skills, confidentiality, and mandated reporting. Psychoeducation for mentees in the form of short videos and worksheets curated by their respective mentors. Weekly support to mentors by selected advisors and program oversight staff. Program overseen by a licensed clinician. Monthly structured social events with mentors/mentees. Mentor training by a licensed mental health professional consisting of but not limited to psychoeducation, therapeutic skills, confidentiality, and mandated reporting. Mentor training (by a licensed mental health professional) protocol for response if a mentee expresses threat of harm to self or other(s), or if the mentor believes there is a threat of harm to self or other(s). . 1.5 Expected Key Deliverables Key Deliverables: An advisory committee comprised of experts in the field and experts by experience to guide the development, content, implementation, and evaluation of the peer mentoring project. 4 to 8 peer mentoring cohorts. 16 weekly sessions between mentors and mentees. A script or outline that will guide the mentors in various activities during mentoring sessions. Mentor training consisting of but not limited to psychoeducation, therapeutic skills, confidentiality, mandated reporting and a protocol for response if a mentee expresses threat of harm to self or other(s), or if the mentor believes there is a threat of harm to self or other(s). Short videos and worksheets for mentee use. Weekly support to mentors by selected advisors and program oversight staff. Monthly structured social events with mentors/mentees. Program supervision by a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional. An evaluation of the resource and its impacts on program participants, the DD field, and cross-systems stakeholders. A sustainability plan for how the project will be maintained and updated beyond the term of the grant. 1.6 Desired Project Outcomes The intended outcomes of this grant opportunity include: Mentees with IDD will increase self-efficacy skills for managing their moods. Mentees with IDD will increase use of coping strategies for emotional regulation. Parent mentees will enhance their ability to support family members who are dually diagnosed. Parent mentees will increase their knowledge of mental health symptoms and coping strategies. Parent mentees will improve their own self-care. People with dual diagnoses will gain increased leadership and advocacy skills. 2 General Information and Deadlines 2.1 Designated Contact / Issuing Officer CDD has assigned a Program Planner as the Designated Contact / Issuing Officer for this project. The Program Planner or a designee shall be the sole point of contact regarding the RFP from the date of issuance of the RFP until the issuance of the Notice of Award letter. To avoid being deemed non-responsive, an applicant is restricted from contacting any other personnel of the CDD regarding the RFP. Certain findings of non-responsibility can result in rejection for a contract award. The Issuing Officer for this RFP is: Grants Coordinator Kay Broughton New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities Phone: 518-486-7505 Email: Kay [email protected] 2.2 Questions about this RFP Questions regarding this specific RFP must be submitted to the Designated Contact/ Issuing Officer, via email, by no later than the Closing Date for Questions as indicated in the Important Dates table. Applicants are encouraged to go to the CDD website first to see if their questions have already been addressed prior to the submission of any questions. A Questions and Answers (Q&A) Summary will be posted on our website: https://cdd.ny.gov/funding by the date indicated in the Questions Posted By date in the Important Dates table. If the applicant discovers any ambiguity, conflict, discrepancy, omission or other error in this RFP, the applicant shall immediately notify the Designated Contact / Issuing Officer of such error in writing and request clarification or modification of this document. If prior to the deadline of submission of written questions, an applicant fails to notify the CDD of a known error or omission from the RFP, or of any error or omission or prejudice in bid application or documents with the RFP that the applicant knew or should have known, the applicant agrees that it will assume such risk if awarded funds, and the applicant agrees that it is precluded from seeking further administrative relief or additional compensation under the contract by reason of such error, omission, or prejudice in bid specification or documents. Specific questions about registering in the Statewide Financial System (SFS) or getting prequalified in SFS can be directed to the SFS Help desk: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. [email protected] (518) 457-7717 2.3 RFP Amendments It is the applicant’s responsibility to check the CDD website periodically for any amendments to the RFP. All changes will be posted by the Changes to RFP Posted By date indicated in the Important Dates table. No other notification will be given. 2.4 Deadline for Submission of Proposals All final grant applications must be received in the Statewide Financial System (SFS) by 11:59PM ET on Proposal Due Date indicated in Important Dates table. All deadlines for submission are in the Eastern Time (ET) zone, and SFS will be locked for submission after these deadlines. Late proposals will not be accepted. Proposals will only be accepted in SFS. Proposals will not be accepted via fax, e-mail, hard copy or hand delivery. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: None