This program is made possible through an award from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) AmeriCorps National Direct.

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1 Introduction Northwestern CT AHEC (NWCTAHEC), in partnership with The National Council for Behavioral Health, is requesting proposals from organizations interested in participating in the Youth Mental Health First Aid Corps. The National Council for Behavioral Health enthusiastically supports the Youth Mental Health First Aid Corps, an AmeriCorps National Direct program, as an innovative strategy increasing Youth Mental Health First Aid certification across the country. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an evidenced based training program that helps individuals and communities better understand mental health and respond appropriately to adolescents who may be experiencing a mental health issue. President Obama and other national, state and local leaders are calling for the widespread implementation of YMHFA as a strategy to improve access to mental health care services for young people suffering from mental illness. The YMHFA Corps has answered that call! During its first two years of operation the YMHFA Corps has placed 30 AmeriCorps members at host sites across the nation. Our AmeriCorps members have certified over 4,000 Youth Mental Health First Aiders and 5,500 youth identified as struggling with a mental health challenge or illness have been supported by YMHFA strategies. NWCTAHEC seeks organizations to serve as the host site for a full-time AmeriCorps member during the program year. AmeriCorps members are trained as YMHFA Instructors and implement YMHFA trainings for a wide cross section of community members who work with young people. AmeriCorps members serve full-time, a minimum of 1700 hours, at their host site. AmeriCorps members are a useful tool to begin or bolster an organization s ability to implement YMHFA widely in the communities they serve. This program is made possible through an award from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) AmeriCorps National Direct. Follow this link to learn more about the Youth Mental Health First Aid Corps: Project Period Year 4 (September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017) of a 6 year project (Sept 2013 to Aug 2019). Essential Program Components 1. Host Site Responsibilities CBOs will execute a contract with NWCTAHEC to operate as a host site for the YMHFA Page 1 of 6

2 Corps Program utilizing at least one full-time AmeriCorps member (1700 service hours). The host site will provide the following: Local recruitment, in coordination with NWCTAHEC, of a full time AmeriCorps member - service term beginning between September 1 & September 26, 2016; Support AmeriCorps member s participation in the September YMHFA Instructor Training (location to be determined). If open slots are available in the instructor training, Host Site Supervisors are also encouraged to attend. Daily supervision of AmeriCorps member by a Host Site Supervisor; Office space for AmeriCorps member including a computer, internet access, etc.; Connections with community agencies serving youth; Out of pocket program expenses. 2. Cash Contribution Participating CBOs will contribute $7,000 annually to NWCTAHEC for each full-time AmeriCorps member to offset fixed costs not reimbursed by the grant. A $1,000 deposit is due at the time the host site agreement is executed. The remaining $6,000 annual contribution can be paid to NWCTAHEC in one lump sum, four quarterly payments of $1,500 or eight monthly payments of $ Training Participating CBOs will participate in MANDATORY trainings, via teleconference, on August 24 and August 31, :00 to 4:00 p.m. EST. 4. Communication with State Commission on Community Service Participating CBOs will inform their State Commission on Community Service of their intent to participate in the YMHFA Corps. 5. Performance Measurement Participating CBOs will fully participate in all YMHFA Corps Performance Measurement activities under the guidance of NWCTAHEC. Each AmeriCorps Member is responsible for the following during their service term: Output 125 individuals completing YMHFA training Outcome 100 trained individuals report and increased confidence in the ability to help people with symptoms of mental illness Outcome 50 individuals with identified symptoms of a mental illness are directed to appropriate professional help 6. NWCTAHEC Administrative Duties NWCTAHEC will assume the administrative duties of the Sept YMHFA Instructor Training, living allowance, child care, loan forbearance, education award and other Page 2 of 6

3 human resource procedures. Proposal Due Date: March 31, 2016 Submit proposals to: Direct all questions regarding this RFP to Events Timeline Event Date 1. Request for Proposal Distribution January 4, Proposal Due Date March 31, YMHFA Corps AmeriCorps Recruitment April - September Notice of AmeriCorps Grant Award to NWCTAHEC No later than May 13, Host Site Selection No later May 20, Host Site Contract Term September 1, 2016 August 31, Host Site Supervisor Training Webinar 8. YMHFA Corps Member Instructor Training Aug 24, 2016 (1 to 4 pm EST) Aug 31, 2016 (1 to 4 pm EST) Sept 26 to Sept 30, 2016 Location to be determined Guidelines for Proposal Preparation Please limit responses to no more than 5 pages, 12 point font, double spaced. 1. Agency Overview Official registered name and Employer Identification Number Key contact name, title, address, telephone and address 2. Methodology Identify the number of YMHFA Corps members your agency would like to host Describe how you will locally recruit a YMHFA Corps member starting their service no later than Sept 26, 2016 with emphasis on candidates with a mental health background, experience and/or interest Describe the staff member who will act as host site supervisor including experience with national service programs, mental health care and managing staff. According to Page 3 of 6

4 Youth Mental Health First Aid Corps AmeriCorps regulations site supervisors are required to complete a criminal history background check. Please indicate your willingness to comply with this requirement. Describe the agency s experience with Mental Health First Aid or other mental health care initiatives. Describe the agency s experience with AmeriCorps, if any. 3. Budget and Sustainability Host Site Contribution Host sites are responsible for a $7,000 contribution to NWCTAHEC per full-time AmeriCorps member. Host Site Out-of-Pocket Costs Host sites are responsible for AmeriCorps member travel and lodging costs associated with attending the 5-day YMHFA instructor training location TBD. Host Sites are responsible for costs including YMHFA training materials, supervision, mileage reimbursement, office supplies, computer equipment, internet access, etc. NWCTAHEC Costs NWCTAHEC is responsible for costs relating to the AmeriCorps member including the September YMHFA Instructor Training, living allowance, payroll taxes, workers compensation, child care and education award. Describe the host site s ability to contribute $7,000 annually for a full-time AmeriCorps member. Describe the host site s ability to cover other costs associated with acting as an AmeriCorps member host site as described above. Please create a budget with your estimate of support costs your organization will incur for the program year September 1, 2016 to August 31, Continuation Request If your agency participated in the program year and is interested in continuing your participation in the program year please submit the following information: Clearly identify your submission as a Continuation Request Official registered name and Employer Identification Number Key contact name, title, address, telephone and address Identify the number of YMHFA Corps members your agency would like to host Describe how you will locally recruit a YMHFA Corps member starting their service no later than Sept 26, 2016 Describe the staff member who will act as host site supervisor including experience with national service programs, mental health care and managing staff Create a budget of costs your AHEC will incur for the program year Page 4 of 6

5 Additional Information Youth Mental Health First Aid Corps Full-Time AmeriCorps Member Benefits Administered by NWCTAHEC 1. Living Allowance in the amount of $12,530 The living allowance is taxable, and taxes will be deducted directly from the living allowance. The living allowance will be distributed biweekly via direct deposit. 2. Health Benefits AmeriCorps members must be able to provide proof of health insurance. AmeriCorps members without health insurance will be provided assistance applying for health insurance on the appropriate exchange. 3. Child Care Benefits Provided to eligible AmeriCorps members through approved child care providers. 4. Education Award in the amount of $5,730 Upon successful completion of the member s term of service, the member will receive an education award from the National Service Trust that can be used to cover eligible higher education costs. 5. Forbearance on Qualified Student Loans AmeriCorps members may be eligible to postpone the repayment of their qualified student loans while they are in an approved national service position. This forbearance applies to repayment of both the principal and the interest. Training and Reporting Requirements 1. Mandatory monthly member training via conference call led by National Program Coordinator 2. Mandatory monthly host site coordinator meeting via conference call led by National Program Coordinator 3. Performance Measure reporting on an ongoing basis 4. Quarterly AmeriCorps member evaluations 5. Quarterly performance measure reports 6. Biweekly AmeriCorps member timesheets submitted on the America Learns portal AmeriCorps Member Position Description Program: Position: Reports to: Youth Mental Health First Aid Corps AmeriCorps Member - Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor Host Site Supervisor Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help a youth in crisis or experiencing a mental health or substance use Page 5 of 6

6 challenge. Purpose of Position: AmeriCorps Members will serve as Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructors, certified to teach the 8-hour Youth MHFA-USA course to members of the public. Responsibilities include: Participate in five day Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor Course (location TBD) Grant writing to support YMHFA activities Disseminate YMHFA in communities through organizations such as schools, law enforcement, foster care agencies, etc. Outreach to local community for course participants, as well as recruit and engage community partners Market program through press releases, social media and informational sessions Track each participant certified through follow-up evaluations Submit these evaluations as directed to MHFA-USA nationally and NWCTAHEC Enroll in the Mental Health First Aid USA Listserve List courses on the Mental Health First Aid web portal: Advertise courses and let the public know you are authorized to provide the program. Establish and foster relationships with community mental health agencies as partners and resources Serve as a resource to YMHFA course participants on an ongoing basis Respect the privacy of course participants, colleagues and others, including the responsibility to protect personal information Advocate for Mental Health First Aid by promoting the principles whenever possible Participate in State Commission activities as appropriate Participate in monthly conference calls hosted by the National Program Coordinator Assist hot site with community initiatives and events relevant to mental health Page 6 of 6