On March 7th, the New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for one-time funding to promote the development of Mental Health Outpatient Treatment Rehabilitative Services (MHOTRS) programs (formerly known as Article 31 clinics) in underserved geographic areas and improve access to MHOTRS services for underserved populations.
The RFA is available here. Applications are due on May 14th.
Funding
Through this RFA, OMH will provide a total of $7.2 million in funding (up to $250,000 in one-time funding per agency), as follows:
- Option 1(a): $3 million for applicants seeking to establish a new MHOTRS program or develop one or more new MHOTRS satellite locations. The new program/satellite program must be located in one of the underserved areas identified in the RFA.
- Option 1(b): $3 million for applicants with existing MHOTRS programs that seek to expand services to underserved populations, such as expanded programming to serve adults (for child-only serving MHOTRS program) or expanded programming to serve a specific underserved population, such as racial/ethnic minorities or LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Option 2: $1.2 million for applicants to establish immediate access to triage/screening and necessary treatment for individuals in distress. This may include assessment and management of Health-Related Social Needs Services (HRSN) in preparation for the New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) 1115 Waiver.
Funding may be used for:
- Offsetting staffing costs related to expansion;
- Creating and distributing marketing materials;
- Providing staff training related to crisis situations and triaging HRSN; and
- Refurbishment of new or existing program space (may not include capital projects – only minor space changes that do not require construction or building modifications.
Contracts will last for one year, starting on October 1st.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are existing not-for-profit OMH-licensed providers with at least one year of experience serving individuals with significant mental health needs or experiencing mental health crises. Only one application will be accepted per agency.
NYS Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration providers are not eligible to apply. Active and former Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) CCBHC grant awardees are eligible, but must demonstrate a plan to use grant funding distinctly from activities already funded through the SAMHSA grant. Applicants who received funding under the OMH MHOTRS Access and Enhancement RFA released in October 2023 are eligible for funding; however, the proposal must demonstrate how the use of funds will be for different purposes than the proposal awarded under the previous RFA.
Applicants must notify the Local Government Units (LGUs) of their intent to apply for funding under this RFA.
Timeline
Applications are due on May 14th. Awards are expected to be announced on June 6th.
Questions may be submitted to Carol Swiderski at OMHLocalProcurement@omh.ny.govwith the subject line “Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Services (MHOTRS)/Clinic Enhancement Grants – Access for Underserved Areas and Immediate Access Enhancement” through March 28th. Answers to questions will be posted on the OMH website on April 18th.