Dane County Now Accepting Proposals for Behavioral Health Services at Neighborhood and Community Centers

March 05, 2020
Ariana Vruwink, 608-267-8823

Dane County is now accepting proposals for behavioral health services at neighborhood and community centers, County Executive Joe Parisi announced today. Parisi included $500,000 in the 2020 budget to prioritize this initiative. The goal is to make behavioral health services more accessible to children and youth who need support and to help mitigate stigma associated with accessing mental health treatment.

“Our community and neighborhood centers see firsthand the effects of mental health challenges and trauma on our young people,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “By meeting youth where they already gather, we hope to bring important services straight to them and in a place they already feel comfortable. We are excited to enter into this next phase of our initiative and begin looking for partners that can help our youth access these mental health services.”

Dane County is seeking proposals that include child/youth case management and individual support to youth with behavioral health needs, or brief treatment interventions delivered by a fully licensed mental health professional. Service models should include activities aimed at eliminating stigma associated with mental health concerns and treatment.

Taken to scale and done community-wide, the initiative offers great promise to positively impact the well-being of young people. Delivering services where youth gather mitigates challenges with access and stigma associated with mental health needs and treatment. Programs under the county’s initiative will be delivered at community centers throughout the Dane County area.

It is expected that the majority of the children and youth served in the program will not have accessed traditional behavioral or mental health services. Through the proposed program, community center providers will: A) identify or respond to youth demonstrating behavioral health needs who attend their center B) offer mental health support to identified youth, and C) provide education and support dedicated to eliminating stigma associated with mental health needs and service.

The deadline for organizations to apply for Dane County’s Request for Proposal (RFP) is April 8 at 2:00pm. Those interested in viewing the full request may visit https://www.danepurchasing.com/bids.