The New York State Office of Mental Health has issued a Request for Application (RFA) for a minimum of one-hundred twenty (120) OMH Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program (OMH CMHLRP) awards with the purpose of recruitment and retention of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs), and psychiatric physician assistants (PAs).

For licensed programs, the OMH CMHLRP is awarding State Aid grants for loan repayment for both eligible existing or newly hired psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychiatric physician assistants in designated community mental health settings throughout New York State as follows:

• For psychiatrists, the OMH CMHLRP provides up to $120,000 in loan repayment over a three-year period.
• For psychiatric nurse practitioners, the OMH CMHLRP provides up to $30,000 in loan repayment over a three-year period.
• For psychiatric physician assistants, the OMH CMHLRP provides up to $30,000 in loan repayment over a three-year period.

A total of $3 million annually is available to fund the OMH CMHLRP during FY 2024-25. These funds will support a minimum of 120 awards. During the FY 2023-2024, Round 2 continued to fund additional awards to eligible psychiatrists and NPs in designated community health settings thought New York State and expanded to include eligible psychiatric physician assistants (PAs).

For the 2024-2025 FY, $3 million annually remains available to fund additional awards for the OMH CMHLRP during FY 2024-25. These funds will support a minimum of 120 awards for psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatric physician assistants. Providers of licensed community mental health programs in one of the two below specified program categories may apply on behalf of eligible staff:

• Inpatient/CPEP: Licensed providers of Article 28 hospital inpatient psychiatric units, Article 31 freestanding inpatient hospital programs, Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs (CPEPs), and Residential Treatment Facility – Children & Youth.
• Outpatient: Licensed providers of Article 31 outpatient programs including Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, Continuing Day Treatment (CDT), Children’s Day Treatment, Partial Hospitalization (PH), Personalized Recover Oriented Services (PROS), Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Services (MHOTRS) and Crisis Stabilization Centers (Intensive & Supportive) or licensed providers of crisis residence programs including Children’s Crisis Residence, Intensive Crisis Residence, and Residential Crisis Support.

OMH has assigned an Issuing Officer for this project. The Issuing Officer or a designee shall be the sole point of contact regarding the RFA from the date of issuance of the RFA until the issuance of the Notice of Conditional Award. To avoid being deemed non-responsive, an applicant is restricted from making contact with any other personnel of OMH regarding the RFA. Certain findings of non-responsibility can result in rejection for a contract award. The Issuing Officer for this RFP is:

Carol Swiderski
Contract Management Specialist 3
New York State Office of Mental Health
Contracts and Claims
44 Holland Avenue, 7th Floor
Albany, NY 12229
carol.swiderski@omh.ny.gov

For additional information and requirements please refer to the Request for Application (RFA) Office of Mental Health Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program (OMH CMHLRP) issued by the New York State Office of Mental Health. The OMH CMHLRP RFA can be found at: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/.

The New York State Office of Mental Health announces the availability of funds to contract with an experienced community-based, Peer-run organization to implement a Forensic Intensive and Sustained Engagement Team (F-INSET) in one New York State location.

New York’s mental and behavioral health systems continue to look for ways to better meet the need of its vast community members through trauma-informed and equitable services. Intensive and Sustained Engagement Teams are effective in reaching, engaging, and supporting people who are historically marginalized, underserved, unserved, and who have not had success in the traditional mental health system for various reasons.

Individuals with forensic backgrounds are left with fewer options for supportive services and opportunities; therefore, the New York State Office of Mental Health seeks to grant an award to create a specialized forensic team with the capacity to dedicate their resources to this population, which includes peer staff with a forensic background. F-INSET aims to provide holistic, peer-driven mental health support services that facilitate rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and promote successful reintegration into society. The selected organization will utilize lived experience and peer support to deliver effective interventions that foster resilience and address the unique mental health needs of a justice-involved population.

An award will be made in the amount of $800,000 per year, for each of five years. Applicants must identify the location they intend to serve in their application and location preference will be given to regions expecting or that already have a Forensic ACT team.

Applications must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System. Please see this link for access to the full RFP: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2024/f-inset/index.html

The Office is pleased to announce the launch of the initial round of the Community Reinvestment Program grant opportunity.

This first round will provide up to $5 million in funding to 501c(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting young people (ages 0-24) in underserved and under-resourced communities across New York State. Funded by taxes collected from legal adult-use cannabis sales, these grants aim to address critical needs, including mental health, workforce development, and housing, in line with the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA).

Key Program Details:

• 40% of cannabis tax revenue from adult-use cannabis sales at licensed cannabis dispensaries is reinvested back into the communities that were most impacted by past drug policies in the form of grants. These grants are overseen by the Cannabis Advisory Board (CAB) and are aimed at helping historically under-resourced, underserved, and over-policed areas.
• The 2024 Community Reinvestment Program will prioritize grants to 501c(3) organizations that provide support services for young people in areas with high needs for youth services, addressing issues like mental health, workforce training, and stable housing.
• The Community Reinvestment Program is designed to ensure equitable distribution of resources throughout New York State, with at least one grant awarded in each Empire State Development (ESD) region.

How to Apply:

• 501 c(3) nonprofits interested in applying should begin the prequalification process through OCM’s online eGrants System.
• Applications will be submitted through OCM’s eGrants system. Organizations will be evaluated based on their ability to implement projects that align with the goals of the Community Reinvestment Program and directly benefit impacted communities.

We encourage you to share these resources with others who may benefit from this funding. By applying, you’re helping to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and supporting communities disproportionately affected by past drug policies. Your commitment to this important work is truly appreciated!

Questions or clarifications regarding the RFA? In compliance with the Procurement Lobbying Law, Matt Courcelle, Contract Management Specialist II, NYS Office of General Services, Division of Financial Administration has been designated as the Primary Contact for this procurement and may be reached by email or voice for all inquiries regarding this grant opportunity.

Email: matthew.courcelle@ogs.ny.gov

The Office of Mental Health announces a Request for Proposals for the operation of a state-wide mental health learning collaborative program. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a cost-effective, virtual training collaborative. It provides case-based learning and information sharing. Lessons relate to violence and other difficult behavioral symptoms. The goal of Project ECHO is to manage the safety of staff and patients with complex behavioral health needs.

Applications must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System. The full RFP is available here: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2024/project-echo/index.html

• one (1) 48 capacity Broome County;
• one (1) 48 capacity Dutchess County;
• one (1) 48 Capacity Oneida County;
• one (1) 68 Capacity Albany/Schenectady Counties;
• one (1) 68 Capacity Onondaga County;
• one (1) 68 Capacity Nassau County, and
• one (1) 68 Capacity in Westchester County.

The Forensic ACT teams will serve individuals who are justice-involved and have serious mental illness (SMI) who have not been successfully engaged by the traditional mental health treatment and rehabilitation system.