Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Bronx

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has issued a Request for Proposals to support the development of a Forensic Assertive Community Treatment team in Bronx County. This initiative is part of the state’s broader effort to expand specialized behavioral health services for individuals with serious mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system. OMH, as the state agency responsible for overseeing mental health services across New York, is investing in evidence-based models such as Assertive Community Treatment to improve outcomes, reduce recidivism, and enhance public safety. This funding opportunity focuses on establishing one multidisciplinary team with a capacity to serve 68 individuals. The purpose of this funding is to implement a Forensic ACT model that builds upon traditional ACT by incorporating targeted interventions for justice-involved individuals. These individuals often experience co-occurring substance use disorders, trauma, unstable housing, and frequent interactions with emergency and correctional systems. The program emphasizes intensive, community-based services delivered directly by a team of professionals including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, substance use specialists, and peer staff. Services are provided in real-world settings and are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, ensuring continuous engagement and responsiveness to participant needs. Funding supports both start-up and ongoing program operations. The selected provider will receive a one-time allocation for start-up and ramp-up costs, along with ongoing funding derived from Medicaid and net deficit funding aligned with the ACT model. Allowable uses include staffing, program infrastructure, training, and service delivery. The program requires adherence to strict staffing ratios, fidelity to the ACT model, and implementation of forensic enhancements such as risk assessment for recidivism, coordination with probation and parole systems, and evidence-based therapies designed to reduce criminal justice involvement. Eligibility is limited to not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that have demonstrated experience providing mental health services to individuals with serious mental illness in New York State under OMH or county contracts. Applicants must complete prequalification in the Statewide Financial System prior to submission and demonstrate capacity to operate a licensed ACT program. The provider must also collaborate with local government units, correctional systems, and community-based service providers to ensure coordinated care and effective service delivery. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Statewide Financial System. Required components include a proposal narrative addressing program design, implementation, staffing, and quality assurance, as well as a detailed budget. Applicants must also submit required certifications and documentation, including proof of notification to local government units and compliance with workplace policies. Evaluation criteria are based on technical and financial components, with scoring across multiple categories such as program design, implementation, and agency performance. The application timeline includes a release date in May, a questions deadline in June, and a final proposal submission deadline in late July. Award notifications are anticipated in August, with contracts expected to begin in January of the following year. The contract term is five years. This opportunity does not indicate recurring funding cycles, and applicants are encouraged to prepare submissions early due to strict system and prequalification requirements. Contact for inquiries is provided through the OMH procurement office via email.

Begin SFS prequalification early; submit application well before deadline to avoid system issues; ensure all attachments meet formatting rules; strictly follow proposal narrative structure; demonstrate ACT model fidelity and justice-involved experience