The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is seeking proposals for its Forensic Intensive and Sustained Engagement Teams (F-INSET) initiative. This program aims to support justice-involved individuals with mental health needs through peer-led, trauma-informed services that promote rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and enhance community reintegration. The initiative focuses on underserved individuals who are either involved in the criminal justice system or have a history of justice involvement, offering sustained, person-centered mental health support to address their unique challenges.

The F-INSET program will operate through a peer-run organization, emphasizing the use of staff with lived experience in both mental health and the criminal justice system. The goal is to offer holistic, peer-driven support to help individuals achieve their personal life goals while addressing the mental health issues that may have contributed to their justice involvement. The program targets individuals at least 18 years of age who often have complex mental health needs and experience difficulty accessing supportive services due to their legal backgrounds.

Eligible applicants for this funding must be nonprofit organizations located in New York State that are peer-run, meaning that at least 51% of their governing board and a significant portion of their staff have personal experience with mental health issues. The program must be implemented in one New York State location, with preference given to regions that have recently implemented or are planning to implement a Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. The proposal should also outline how the applicant will serve the target population and, if limited to one county, how the program can expand to neighboring areas as it grows.

The program's funding is set at $800,000 per year for a five-year period, supporting a team that will engage with approximately 30 individuals per month. The team should consist of a minimum of six staff members, including four certified peers and two clinicians, who will provide outreach, engagement, and personalized support. Services will be delivered flexibly, based on participants’ needs, with an emphasis on face-to-face and virtual outreach. There is no fixed timeline for participant engagement, allowing for sustained and voluntary involvement.

Key dates for the proposal process include the submission deadline of December 11, 2024, with award notifications expected by January 24, 2025. The program is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025. Applicants must complete the prequalification process through New York’s Statewide Financial System (SFS) to be eligible to apply. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the SFS system, and applicants are encouraged to complete the prequalification process well in advance of the deadline to avoid disqualification.

Evaluation of proposals will be based on several criteria, including the organization’s experience working with the target population, its peer support framework, the ability to implement the F-INSET model, and its capacity to collect and report data on program outcomes. The organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as its strategies for reducing health disparities in marginalized populations, will also be considered in the selection process.

Applicants are advised to contact Amanda Szczepkowski, the designated OMH Contract Management Specialist, for any questions regarding the RFP, and to notify the local governmental unit in the counties they plan to serve about their intent to apply【20†source】.