Community Based-Culturally Specific Mental Health Services

The Multnomah County Health Department, Behavioral Health Division (BHD), is seeking qualified contractors to provide culturally responsive outpatient behavioral health services to specific communities of color, including African American/Black/African, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic, Native American/Alaska Native, and Slavic/Eastern European/Russian-Speaking populations. The services should include community outreach and engagement, treatment provision, recovery supports, education and prevention activities, benefits assistance, wraparound support to address basic needs, and linkages/referral services. The contract has a total annual budget of approximately $1,125,000. Some key points to consider are: • The services should be culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate to each specific community of color. • The contractors should have experience working with the specific population(s) to be served and demonstrate a clear understanding of their needs and priorities. • The contractors should have a plan for evaluating and reporting the effectiveness of their services. • The contract will be awarded for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal. Some benefits of this contract include: • The opportunity to provide essential services to underserved communities of color. • The chance to work with a diverse range of stakeholders, including community leaders, consumers, and allies. • The potential to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families in need. However, there are also some challenges to consider: • The need to navigate complex cultural and linguistic barriers to provide effective services. • The requirement to demonstrate cultural competence and responsiveness in all aspects of service delivery. • The need to balance the demands of providing high-quality services with the constraints of a limited budget. Overall, this contract presents an opportunity for qualified contractors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families in need, while also contributing to the development of a more equitable and just society.