OhioMHAS Supported Employment Education Handbook FY24-25

In an MBE set-aside solicitation, only those bidders/suppliers with an active MBE certification at the time the solicitation closes can submit a response

SRC0000018217

12/16/2024 2:00:00 PM

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 create new and/or modify existing materials and assessment tools tailored to transition-age youth, ages 14-23, utilizing the evidence-based practice of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment to include supported education.

1. BACKGROUND

Evidence- based practices (EBPs) rely on treatment that has withstood randomized controlled trials, has been replicated, and has generated positive client outcomes (Drake, 2005). EBPs integrate clinical expertise; expert opinion; external scientific evidence; and client, patient, and caregiver perspectives, so providers can offer high-quality services that reflect the interests, values, needs and choices of the individuals served.
IPS is the evidence-based practice of supported employment. IPS is integrated and coordinated with behavioral health treatment and rehabilitation designed to provide individualized placement and support to assist job seekers with serious persistent mental illness or co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders obtain, maintain, and advance within competitive integrated employment that is consistent with work preferences.
IPS is the model of supported employment with the most evidence and research to support individuals with behavioral health disorders gain and retain employment. IPS was developed by the Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center and as of May 2018, showed a mean competitive employment rate of 55 percent compared to that of 25 percent in 26 randomized controlled trials. Closer adherence to fidelity consistently results in higher rates of competitive employment. A meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials found that people receiving IPS services were 2.4 times more likely to be employed than controls (Modini, 2016). To find additional information regarding IPS, please utilize the following website https://ipsworks.org/index.php/evidence-for-ips/

IPS supported employment is an evidence-based practice with a 25-item fidelity scale and is characterized by eight (8) practice principles:

1. Individual preferences are explored, honored, valued, respected, and guide the job search.
2. Individual-determined readiness to work; every participant who wants to work is eligible for IPS.
3. Competitive jobs are the goal.
4. IPS services are integrated with mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance use treatment.
5. Personalized benefit planning is provided on an ongoing basis.
6. The job search starts within 30 days after a participant expresses interest in working.
7. Employment Specialist builds relationships with employers based upon the individual's work preferences.
8. Individualized job supports are continuous and vary in frequency and intensity.

OhioMHAS is dedicated to supporting, implementing, and growing IPS supported employment services to increase the number of individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring serious mental and substance use disorders who obtain and retain competitive integrated employment in Ohio.  OhioMHAS partners with several behavioral health organizations to provide services and supports to individuals utilizing the IPS model. In 2023, 4,411 people were reported as served by an IPS supported employment program, and 2,079 people obtained employment while enrolled in Ohio’s IPS programs.
OhioMHAS’ s goal is to expand access to quality employment services throughout the behavioral health system, with a focus on transition-age programs and supports.

In 2023 Ohio was one of seven states awarded the opportunity to participate in an 18-month Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Supported Employment for Transition Age Youth (SE-TAY) Policy Academy. The primary goal of the SE-TAY Policy Academy is to develop a statewide strategic plan to advance policies and practices to enhance capacity to meet the competitive employment needs of transition-age youth with mental illness through the use of supported employment.

The Ohio SE-TAY team includes members of OhioMHAS, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (state vocational rehabilitation), Ohio Department of Education, Department of Youth Services, and community partners, Daybreak and YouthMove.

According to the 2018-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, young adults (18 to 25) had the highest rates of serious mental illness, any mental illness, and major depressive episodes. It can be assumed that these numbers have only increased due to additional interpersonal disruptions and exacerbating stressors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implementation of this project will be piloted with three existing Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) teams in Ohio. There are currently 20 active CSC for FEP teams in Ohio that serve 750 individuals in 43 counties. These programs serve individuals between the ages of 15-35 years of age with less than two years since first onset of positive symptoms of psychosis. CSC for FEP programs are appropriate for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and mood disorders with psychotic features and consist of team-based services that include supported employment and education, counseling, psychiatric care, and case management at a minimum.

1. SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

The chosen vendor will utilize the adult IPS scale to support the execution of IPS services modified for transition-age youth, developing, and testing a guidebook that will be initially piloted with three CSC for FEP programs.

Materials are focused on best practices, recommendations, tools and tips, and realistic application of providing supported employment and education to transition-age youth (individuals between the ages of 14-23)

All developed material to be available in digital format (PDF); all material must be ADA compliant.

All materials to be written at an 8 ^th grade reading level or below.

The scope of the work includes creating and delivering the following:

1. Assemble and utilize an advisory group. The role of the Advisory group is to review and react to materials developed, suggestions made by the advisory group must be documented and incorporated in revised versions of materials. Contractor will be responsible for providing logistical support including developing and sending meeting invites and determining meeting venue(s). Advisory group members will not be responsible for developing/creating material. The advisory group will serve in a consultation role only and will not be responsible for the development or writing of content. Advisory group should have representation from the identified following members (OhioMHAS reserves the right to approve and add to the applicants proposed curriculum advisory group).
   1. Individuals with lived experience
   2. Supported employment services providers familiar with IPS and serving transition-age youth.

1. Create two pieces of curriculum; one is a guidebook. The second piece of curriculum is a training manual that will be used by Internal OhioMHAS employees.
   1. The audience for the guidebook is the employment specialist, job developer/job coach, peer supporter, team leader and other identified direct care worker (for example QMHS) involved in working directly with a transition-age (14-23) individual receiving supported employment and/or supported education services.
      1. The guidebook must, at a minimum, contain the following:
         1. Tips and Tricks for implementation of each core - IPS practice principles item
         2. Supported Education Resources:
         3. Career Planning resources; including vocational assessment, career exploration.
         4. How to support individuals with academic survival.  (This includes a resource guide to identify college and training programs, disability rights and resources, tutoring and mentoring services, time and stress management and social supports, etc.)
         5. Tips and tricks to engage in outreach and job development on behalf of the individual.  (Outreach to include to schools and employers.)
         6. Tips and Tricks to involve Family and Friends in career planning and supports.
         7. Resource guide on work incentives and financial literacy for transition- age youth.
         8. Common challenges encountered when working with transition- age youth; resources and /suggestions recommendations for ES to resolve address challenges.
         9. this list is not exhaustive as additional items may be determined by the advisory group to be included.

1. 1. Training manual to include:
      1. instruction on how train implementation of the guidebook to direct providers
      2. evaluation tool
      3. implementation scale based on anticipated outcomes of the work.

1. 1. Establish training and technical assistance plan on developed materials including the use of tool and outcomes associated with work. Training will be provided directly to appointed OhioMHAS staff members (train the trainer) and identified implementing agency staff members at pilot sites.

1. Creating training video for implementation of guidebook at identified pilot sites.
   1. Record training for “train the trainer purposes.”  Training video must be in accessible format (i.e., YouTube or saved with accessible storage) for future OhioMHAS use.

1. Create implementation plan and timeline of statewide use for materials.

1. Develop Evaluation framework including evaluation tool with scoring protocol that demonstrates standards for implementation of best practices established in guidebook.
2. Develop Outcome Measurements with content for research of implementation success.
3. Establish process of beta testing materials with identified implementing pilot sites over a 12-month time frame, not to exceed June 30 ^th, 2025.

Contractor is responsible for coordination, content development and writing of all materials outlined  in this RFP.

The contractor will be solely responsible for writing and developing content and for obtaining all subject matter experts.

The guidebook and materials associated with this contract will be approved and owned by OhioMHAS.

1. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTOR

Contractor must have expertise in manual development.

Contractor must have extensive experience with the Supported Employment Fidelity Scale (1/7/08) and delivery of IPS services. (Please see exhibit)

Contractor must demonstrate a successful history of providing consultation for IPS supported employment services.

Contractor must have experience in creating resources, materials and curriculum that support application of evidence-based practices.

Contractor shall not be subject to an “unresolved” finding for recovery under Section 9.24 of Ohio Revised Code.

EVALUATION PROCESS
MHAS’s evaluation process of responses submitted to this request may consist of up to four distinct phases:
1. MHAS’s initial review of all proposals for timely submission;
2. An evaluation committee review of the proposals for defects and scoring;
3. MHAS’s request for more information (clarifications, interviews, presentations, and/or demonstrations); and,
4. Negotiations or best offer requests.

At its sole discretion, MHAS will determine whether phases three and/or four are necessary under this RFP, reserving for itself the ability to eliminate or add phases three or four at any time during the evaluation process. MHAS may add or remove sub-phases to phases 2 through 4 at any time if MHAS believes doing so will improve the evaluation process.

PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA
In the proposal evaluation phase, MHAS staff or reviewers selected by MHAS (the committee) will rate the proposals submitted in response to this RFP based on the following criteria and weight assigned to each criterion.

Evaluation Criteria	Weight	Rating	Extended Score
Contractor history, years of relevant experience. Number of years in business, number of employees, financial stability, capacity to do work	10
Contractor must outline experience related to developing materials for evidence-based practices, as well as knowledge and experience with the Supported Employment Fidelity Scale (1/7/08) scale.	20
Contractor must describe their approach in creating and implementing an advisory group, creating curriculums, creating train the trainer training, devel oping evaluation framework and outcome	30
The Contractor must provide a staffing plan that identifies all key personnel required to do the project and their responsibilities on the project.	10
The Contractor must include a contingency plan that shows the ability to add more staff if needed to ensure meeting the project due date, including providing qualified replacement personnel.	10
Contractor must describe the plan to complete deliverables, including timeline for completion.	30
Overall cost and price per deliverable	15
		Total	____/625