Reply to RFP Questions

Short Term High Intensity Services for Children

From the September 26, 2007 Bidders Conference 

1. Can the Psychiatrist be subcontracted? 
   Yes, psychiatry may be subcontracted.
2. Do staff have to be FPS providers?  
   FPS is a service as well as a philosophy. The North Sound Mental Health Administration is asking that staff are trained and grounded in the philosophy of Family Preservation. Staff do not have to be “FPS” providers which is a separate service contracted through Children’s Administration.
3. Where does the provider need to be located?
   The services within this RFP are home and community based and available throughout Snohomish County. NSMHA leaves the location of provider offices up to the discretion of the provider, but hopes that it would be centrally located.
4. Does the RFP funnel down for crisis calls?
   This is addressed in the second bullet on the first page of the RFP.  It is desired that no child/youth will be hospitalized until the team has had an opportunity to intervene. However, face-to-face intervention may not always be warranted. For example, when the team is full and cannot accept the child/youth, the intervention may be providing referrals to other appropriate resources within the community.
5. What is the number of slots? 
   There are 12 slots funded. NSMHA understands there will be a ramp up to services and that the provider will not be serving 12 individuals at the same time during the initial phase of implementation.
6. Please clarify license procedure?  
   Bidders need to be provisionally licensed as a CMHA by March 1, 2008.  An agency applies to the State and the State expects the agency to write policies and procedures that guide agency operation. Then the State comes out and performs a provisional review and then returns in about six months to complete license procedure.
7. Can sections of the agency be licensed?
   Yes, we believe so.
8. Do all the sections of the WAC for licensing, including psychiatry section, apply?
   NSMHA believes that this is true when the psychiatrist is an employee of the agency. Many current RSN providers use subcontracted psychiatrists who are not agency employees.

For precise responses to all licensing questions, please visit the MHD website at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/mentalhealth/licensing.shtml. For questions regarding the process, please contact the Licensing Section of the Mental Health Division by calling (360) 902-0788.