2026-2027 CIT & CIP Training Services

Location:	Pennsylvania
Posted:	Feb 17, 2026
Due:	Mar 6, 2026
Agency:	County of Luzerne
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	U - Education and Training Services
Solicitation No:	MHDS-021726
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Issued by: Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health & Developmental Services

Issue Date: February 17, 2026

Response Due Date: 4:00 PM EST on March 6, 2026

Contact: Jonathan Bates, MHDS Fiscal Director, jonathan.bates@luzernecounty.org, 570-408-

1314

RFI Title: 2026-2027 CIT & CIP Training Services

RFI Reference ID: MHDS-021726

1. Purpose

The Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health & Developmental Services Office (MHDS) is

issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to identify qualified agencies or training providers to

facilitate Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for first responders within Luzerne and

Wyoming Counties and Crisis Intervention Partners (CIP) training for individuals in the

community to increase awareness of and ability to support individuals affected by mental health

challenges in Luzerne-Wyoming Counties.

The CIP Program operates in collaboration with the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties CIT Program,

aiming to reduce the demand on emergency crisis services and minimize unnecessary

hospitalizations. Through comprehensive training, CIP participants will learn to identify the

signs and symptoms of emerging or existing mental health disorders. Equipped with specialized

skills, these individuals will be able to provide appropriate resources and engage effectively with

those in need, facilitating early intervention in accordance with the Intercept 0 phase of the

Sequential Intercept Model.

MHDS is seeking information from providers who can deliver CIT training in full alignment

with the nationally recognized Memphis Model—a best-practice, evidence-based approach

emphasizing mental health crisis response, law enforcement collaboration, and community

partnership.

Agencies must demonstrate adherence to the Memphis Model, including the required

involvement of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) or a comparable local affiliate

in the training process.

2. Background

Luzerne-Wyoming Counties MHDS aims to build a regional infrastructure of trained first

responders and community partners who can respond effectively and safely to individuals

experiencing behavioral health crises. The Memphis Model of CIT is the gold standard for such

training and requires close coordination between mental health professionals, law enforcement,

and community organizations.

Key components of the Memphis Model CIT include:

• A 40-hour, structured training curriculum

• Inclusion of mental health professionals, law enforcement, individuals with lived

experience, and advocacy organizations such as NAMI

• Skills-based training in de-escalation and diversion from the justice system to treatment

• Instruction tailored for dispatch and 911 personnel

• Ongoing collaboration, follow-up support, and sustainability planning

The CIP program offers a two-day in-person training course for a diverse group of participants,

including community members, county caseworkers, school employees, bus and taxi drivers, and

behavioral health professionals. This training will provide each participant with the knowledge,

skills, and motivation necessary to support individuals exhibiting signs and symptoms of mental

health disorders. The CIP Program will serve as an advanced training component within the

Luzerne-Wyoming Counties CIT Program, exceeding standard community awareness

requirements by building a robust team of trained individuals.

3. Requested Information

Interested providers are asked to submit information addressing the following areas:

1. Organizational Background

o Agency name, address, and primary contact information

o Experience delivering Memphis Model CIT trainings

o Qualifications and experience of training personnel

2. Program Design

o Description of how your CIT training adheres to the Memphis Model, including:

 Delivery of a full 40-hour curriculum

 Integration of NAMI (or a local affiliate) into the training team

 Participation of individuals with lived experience

o Curriculum overview and training objectives

o Sample agenda or course outline

3. Training Logistics

o Recommended class size

o Training location flexibility (on-site or regional options)

o Availability and scheduling preferences

4. Outcomes and Support

o Description of outcome measurement, fidelity to the model, and post-training

follow-up

o Examples of successful implementation from other jurisdictions

5. Estimated Cost

o Estimated cost per training session

o Inclusions (trainer fees, travel, materials, etc.)

o Multi-training or regional pricing structures, if available

4. Pertinent Information

Should a contract be established from this RFI, the following are provider requirements:

A. Adherence and conformation to all National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically

Appropriate Services (CLAS) in service programming. Provider will improve quality and

help eliminate service delivery disparities by establishing services which strive to meet

each of the CLAS standards found in Attachment #1.

B. Adherence and conformation to Luzerne-Wyoming Counties’ trauma training policy,

which states: All provider employees, both current and new hires, will obtain training to

become Trauma-Informed in service programming. The following are the requirements to

become Trauma-Informed:

a. Six-ten (6-10) hours of training time covering basic awareness through basic

information regarding the nature and principles of trauma.

b. Increase understanding of the brain parts, brain states, functioning, and how

trauma impacts the brain.

c. All employees are expected to pause when dealing with challenging, difficult, or

confusing behaviors.

d. Acknowledge the existence of trauma and appreciation for the impact of trauma.

e. In addition to pausing, employees will consider that the person might have

unresolved trauma-related issues.

f. New employees are required to complete Trauma 101, 102, and 103 through the

Lakeside Global Institute curriculum or through the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties

MHDS Office.

g. Existing employees can measure their trauma training history based on the

System of Care Trauma-Informed Criteria. The Luzerne-Wyoming Counties

System of Care Trauma-Informed Criteria requirements can be found in

Attachment #2.

C. Obtain and maintain for duration of contract the County’s required levels of insurance for

mental health and developmental services as outlined in Attachment #3.

D. All Luzerne-Wyoming Counties MHDS contracts funded through or in portion of federal

funding must adhere to the following: Marijuana Restriction - Grant funds may not be

used, directly or indirectly, to purchase, prescribe, or provide marijuana or treatment

using marijuana. Treatment in this context includes the treatment of opioid use disorder.

Grant funds also cannot be provided to any individual who or organization that provides

or permits marijuana use for the purposes of treating substance use or mental disorders.

See, e.g., 45 C.F.R. § 75.300(a) (requiring HHS to “ensure that Federal funding is

expended in full accordance with U.S. statutory requirements.”); 21 U.S.C. §§ 812(c)(10)

and 841 (prohibiting the possession, manufacture, sale, purchase or distribution of

marijuana). This prohibition does not apply to those providing such treatment in the

context of clinical research permitted by the DEA and under an FDA-approved

investigational new drug application where the article being evaluated is marijuana or a

constituent thereof that is otherwise a banned controlled substance under federal law.

E. Important Information:

a. All trainings must be completed in person in Luzerne or Wyoming Counties.

b. The County is responsible for arranging a training location for each training and

any food/refreshments for the trainings.

c. Respondents must have the ability to establish and maintain effective rapport with

local law enforcement and community partners.

5. Response Format

Please limit your response to no more than 10 pages. Responses should be submitted

electronically in PDF format to mhdsdocuments@luzernecounty.org no later than 4:00 PM EST

on March 6, 2026. Please reference the RFI reference ID in the subject line of your email. Hard

copy submissions will not be accepted.

6. Confidentiality

All information provided in response to this RFI will be used solely for planning purposes.

Proprietary or confidential information should be clearly marked as such.

7. Disclaimer

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Responding to this RFI does not

guarantee involvement in any future procurement process. A contract may or may not be created

from submissions to this RFI.

Attachment #1

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Number:	MHDS-021726
Bid Title:	2026-2027 CIT & CIP Training Services
Category:	Mental Health and Developmental Services Services
Status:	Open

2026-2027 CIT & CIP Training Services

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