Specifications include, but are not limited to: The intent of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to award up to $17 million in available Mental Health Wellness Act funds to support the scaling of EmPATH units throughout California with the overall goal of reducing the need for psychiatric hospitalization, justice system involvement, and homelessness. The Grantee will be responsible for and agree to the following as part of receiving a grant: Implement all components of the EmPATH model for full fidelity including, but not limited to, the following: The Commission will award grants to licensed California hospitals that currently operate an acute care emergency department, including treatment of mental health emergency clients. Eligible applicants include for-profit, not-for-profit, faith-based, and tribally operated hospitals that serve unserved and/or underserved populations to address disparities in access to effective and culturally appropriate behavioral health services. Funds may be used to supplement, but not supplant, existing financial and resource commitments. Applicants have the discretion to determine the use of funds in order to meet the RFA requirements for the EmPATH unit including, but not limited to, hiring qualified mental health personnel, training, technology, data collection, capital outlay, and purchasing of supplies and goods. . Located on the contiguous hospital campus grounds and linked to the emergency department for initial intake/referral . Ligature safe—bathrooms, door handles, etc. . Large, open milieu with fold-flat recliner chairs with a minimum of 80 sq. ft. total per client, including 40 sq. ft. around each chair . Open nursing station with intermingling of staff and clients to facilitate socialization, discussion, interaction, and therapy . Voluntary calming rooms with elimination of locked seclusion rooms or restraints . Rapid evaluation and comprehensive treatment planning by a psychiatrist or psychiatric prescribing provider . Constant observation and re-evaluation
