The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is soliciting proposals for the development and operation of a Community Residence - Single Room Occupancy (CR-SRO) and a Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team in New York City. The goal of this initiative is to provide stable housing and intensive community-based support services to individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) who have current or historical involvement with the criminal justice system. The selected nonprofit provider will develop a 25-unit CR-SRO residential facility and operate a FACT team with a capacity for 68 individuals. The program is expected to be grounded in evidence-based practices to address behavioral health needs, trauma, substance use disorders, and complex medical conditions that often co-occur within this population.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with experience in providing mental health services, particularly to individuals with SMI and justice involvement. The CR-SRO will provide residence-based programming and an integrated support system that facilitates long-term stability and community integration. The FACT team will deliver intensive, individualized services and work in close collaboration with the residential program to ensure coordinated care, crisis intervention, and skill-building for participants. Referrals to both programs will be managed through the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Local Governmental Unit (LGU) Single Point of Access (SPOA) systems.

OMH is offering both capital and operating funding for this initiative. The capital funding will support property acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation, subject to approval by the New York State Division of the Budget (DOB). Operating funds for the CR-SRO will include $2.8 million in state aid annually, supplemented by client contributions, while FACT team operations will be supported by Medicaid billing and state funding. The FACT provider will receive additional funding for program start-up and phased enrollment.

The application process requires compliance with New York State’s Statewide Financial System (SFS) vendor registration and prequalification requirements for nonprofits. The proposal submission must include a detailed implementation plan, staffing model, financial budget, and strategies for ensuring program effectiveness. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong partnerships with local service providers, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other stakeholders involved in mental health and justice system services.

The evaluation of proposals will consider technical expertise, service delivery model, budget feasibility, and capacity to support individuals with complex needs. A total of 100 points will be allocated across multiple criteria, including program description, implementation plan, agency performance, diversity and inclusion efforts, and financial assessment. The awarded contract will be for a five-year term, with the potential for renewal based on performance outcomes.

Key dates for this funding opportunity include the RFP release on February 27, 2025, the proposal submission deadline on May 1, 2025, and anticipated award notification by June 5, 2025. The contract is expected to commence on January 1, 2026. Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted by March 20, 2025, and responses will be posted on the OMH website by April 10, 2025. All inquiries must be directed to the designated issuing officer at OMHLocalProcurement@omh.ny.gov.