Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Program Description a. The County is seeking small, culturally responsive, community based organizations to submit proposals. b. The focus of this SCC RFP is to serve the Afghan Community (all ages and genders). The proposer must have the ability to provide community defined, culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate outreach strategies, engagement activities, and suicide prevention support services to Afghan Community members across all ages living in Sacramento County, and provide support and linkage to behavioral health services, as needed. c. Ensure that services are culturally competent, collaborative, client-driven, community-based, and community-defined. d. Ensure that all participants referred for services are: i. Residents of Sacramento County. ii. Not currently receiving mental health services from a Sacramento County BHS Mental Health provider. e. Comply with requirements that promote suicide prevention and improve timely access to behavioral health services that include but are not limited to: i. Utilize effective, culturally responsive communication methods that are aligned with customs and traditions within the Afghan Community. For the Afghan Community this includes capacity to communicate in both Dari and Pashto languages. ii. Increase participant and family knowledge of behavioral health services and available community resources for children, youth, TAY, adults, older adults and family members and/or natural supports. iii. Provide cultural brokerage to Afghan Community members to reduce stigma and discrimination due to mental illness or psychological distress and support participants with navigating the BHS service systems. iv. Provide support and timely linkage to behavioral health services by addressing barriers to care. v. Provide culturally responsive encouragement to support participants in their health and wellness, which includes supporting access to resources, learning how to seek support, maintaining positive personal/social supports, and improving communications with family members and others in the community. vi. Implement a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, tailored to the Afghan Community with linkage to Behavioral Health Services and follow up support to ensure participants are accessing services. vii. Conduct a quarterly test call to support the County’s Quality Management Team in evaluating timely access to services for the Afghan Community. viii. Maintain and follow a written crisis response policy/procedure that outlines appropriate steps if a referral for more intensive services is needed. ix. Maintain and follow policies and procedures for responding to a behavioral health crisis if it is identified via targeted social media or other electronic means. x. Ensure that staffing levels are maintained. xi. Ensure that staff and volunteers who are responsible for the provision of SCC services participate in any training as designated by Sacramento County. xii. Ensure that program staff are trained to monitor social media and respond to sensitive information posted online. xiii. Complete and submit quarterly reports in accordance with County requirements. xiv. Inform individuals who are eligible or potentially eligible for Medi-Cal services, including specialty mental health services. xv. Assist individuals who are at risk and eligible or potentially eligible for Medi-Cal to understand their need for mental health services covered by Medi-Cal. xvi. Encourage individuals who are reluctant to receive mental health services and are eligible or potentially eligible for Medi-Cal to apply and receive mental health services. xvii. Assist individuals with access to the Medi-Cal healthcare system by providing referrals, follow-up, and transportation, if needed, and engage them in needed care. xviii. Gather information on the individual’s health and mental health needs and Medi-Cal eligibility. xix. List Hours of Operation: Successful proposers shall extend business hours that include late evening and/or weekend hours and list their hours of operation.
