C H R I S T I N E B A R A D A COMMUNITY SERVICES, HOUSING, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR

Spokane County Regional Support Network (SCRSN) Request for Letters of Interest (RFLI) for Community Mental Health Agencies to Provide School-Based Mental Health Services

September 17, 2014

I. Background Information School-based mental health services have gained recognition as a model for accessible, cost- effective mental health services with significant measureable outcomes. Schools that offer mental health services are able to recognize the early onset of a child’s mental illness. From there, they can seamlessly refer to coordinated care inclusive of the student, school teams, family, and peers. Students are substantially more likely to self-refer when the service is available in their own school. Numerous research studies point to measureable gains in academic achievement; declines in suspension and grade retention; and reductions in typical childhood mental illness such as depression, conduct disordered behavior, and attention deficit/hyperactivity. Long-term gains have demonstrated public savings in welfare assistance and criminal justice.

II. General Information The Spokane County Regional Support Network (SCRSN) is requesting letters of interest from contracted community mental health agencies (CMHA) that are interested in providing mental health services in schools and in the student and family home environment by:

a) Expanding on-site mental health services at a school(s) that is already being served by the CMHA and the school executive (Superintendent or Principal) has requested expansion, or;

b) Initiating on-site mental health services at a school(s) that is not already served by another CMHA and the school executive (Superintendent or Principal) has requested in writing that on-site mental health services be provided. (Note: Please consult attached list of SCRSN funded school-based mental health services as a reference.)

312 WEST 8TH AVENUE  4TH FLOOR  SPOKANE, WA 99204 PHONE: (509) 477-5722  FAX: (509) 477-6827  RELAY SERVICE OF WA: 1-800-833-6384 WWW.SPOKANECOUNTY.ORG SCRSN RFLI School Based Services 2014

III. Populations Expected to be Served The target population for this new service is:  Medicaid eligible, school-aged children and youth (kindergarten through twelfth grade);  School(s) in the county you serve;  Schools with a majority percentage of free and reduced meals; and  Students who meet access-to-care guidelines for mental illness in the SCRSN system of care. IV. Program Design The program will be designed to provide school-based mental health services to meet the following expectations: a. Provide mental health services on site at the school and in the neighborhood and home of the child or youth and their family b. Rapid access to mental health services for assessment and treatment c. Employ a range of treatment modalities that are evidence-based practices (not necessary to be done to fidelity). Treatment services will include: Assessment, Individual Psychotherapy, Group Therapy, Case Management, Medication Management, and Psychological Evaluation as appropriate. d. Coordinated treatment with the student, their family and teacher, and other resources, as indicated (e.g. probation officer, school teams, natural supports, mental health care provider (MHCP), physician, and Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and/or Children’s Administration social worker). e. Provision of community-based services when access is a barrier or as identified by the individualized treatment plan. f. Treatment will be offered year round, including a summer program, so there is no disruption in services. g. Services will be flexible to maximize the provider resource. If a student is absent, another enrolled student will be served. h. Schools served will have the majority of students qualify for free and reduced meals. i. Demonstrated commitment by the school (s) leadership to support the CMHA’s school- based mental