Specifications include, but are not limited to: The intent and purpose of this (“RFP”), and the resulting contract, is to obtain the services of one or more qualified firms to provide to pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 students schoolbased mental/behavioral health services in accordance with the Scope of Services section of the solicitation to students throughout the school division. These students may be un- or underinsured, receive Medicaid, and/or have private insurance. Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) expresses a division-wide commitment to every student by communicating a vision of inclusiveness: “The right to achieve. The support to succeed.” The school division also embraces four critical cornerstones: Student Safety and Wellness, Academic Growth, Equity and Opportunity, and Relationships. Against that background, HCPS recognizes the increasing need for additional and more intensive mental health support for students to address growing concerns over student mental health in alignment with trends across the U.S., as recent nationwide surveys of youth have shown increases in certain mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. In fact, the CDC currently estimates that one in five children in the US, either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. HCPS also recognizes that schools are a natural setting to support student mental health, and that, of school-age children who receive any behavioral and/or mental health services, 70-80% receive them at school. Furthermore, the division acknowledges the need for greater access to mental health services for students and families who may not have the independent means to acquire such support. HCPS is proposing a model of service in which licensed mental health providers from a community/private agency with which HCPS has an established partnership and agreement are co-located at identified schools throughout the division on a consistent, regularly scheduled basis and with whom school-based mental health staff members, such as school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers, may refer students who require additional mental health services and support. Referrals will be based on objective, systematically collected data to ensure students in need of Tier 3 or targeted interventions and supports are appropriately referred, as such intensive supports may not be available from school-based mental health professionals or other student services personnel.
