RFP Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?
Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, community providers, hospital systems, and health systems. This funding is to be used to establish a mental health center in the West Town-Humboldt Park area, which could be an entirely new venture or an additional location for an existing organization. Applicants must be, or have a hiring plan for, licensed professionals who are able to furnish treatment services in Illinois.
When is the due date for this proposal?
The proposal is due on May 16th, 2025. Proposals can be submitted any time before 5:00pm Central Time via email at wthp.info@gmail.com, or in person at (church address) between 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m. Central Time on May 19th, 2025. No proposals will be accepted after this deadline.
When will I hear back?
The anticipated contract award date is August 2025, so decisions will likely be communicated around that time.
What is the timeline for this funding / when does it expire?
The initial term of the Program Agreement will expire two years after the "Go-Live Date", which is expected to be 3-6 months after the contract award (approximately mid to late 2025). The agreement can then be extended by a mutual written agreement based on the performance of the service provider.
What is the expected annual budget?
The estimated annual funding available from the referendum is approximately $935,000 per year.
What is the service provider expected to provide?
The selected provider will establish and operate a community mental health services center in West Town-Humboldt Park, offering mental health treatment, and may offer other mental health related resources such as outreach, assessments, and various community-based interventions. Further description of services can be found in the RFP, but applicants are encouraged to propose services that will be offered based on the needs assessment that can be found on our website (link to needs assessment).
Is this the first and/or only program of its kind in Chicago?
No, this is the fifth Community Expanded Mental Health Services Program created under the Community Expanded Mental Health Services Act.
How did this opportunity become available?
This program was created through a binding referendum passed on November 8, 2022, where 85.45% of voters in West Town-Humboldt Park approved the initiative.
Can I submit a proposal before the deadline?
Yes. Submissions may be sent via email at wthp.info@gmail.com starting 2/19/2025.
Are letters of support or community partnerships required for the application?
The proposal should include a section on planned and current community partnerships, including relationships with community groups, schools, and organizations. Letters of support are not required and will not be considered if submitted.
How should the proposal be formatted? What should be included?
Please see RFP page 7, Section X (“Proposal Instructions”) for information about formatting and what should be included.
Will there be an opportunity for applicants to ask questions before the deadline?
Yes, written requests for clarification can be submitted to wthp.info@gmail.com. Answers to questions will be posted to this page. Please understand that questions may need to be reviewed by relevant experts, and it may take time for answers to be posted. For that reason, we encourage submission of questions at least 2 weeks before the deadline of May 19th, 2025.
Can providers use funding for administrative costs, and is there a cap on those expenses?
Yes, the funding can be used for administrative costs. The budget must include a description of administrative and clinical staff salaries, but no specific cap on administrative costs is prescribed.
Is there a required staffing structure, and what qualifications are expected for key personnel?
No, Respondent(s) are encouraged to propose a staffing structure based on their expertise and proposed services. Instructions for the formatting of the staffing plan can be found in the RFP on page 8, Section X Subsection D (“Program Services and Staffing Proposal”).
Will the provider be required to operate out of a specific location, or can they propose a site?
The Commission will lease or purchase a site for the provider within the service area. Providers are encouraged to estimate yearly rent in their budget narrative, described in the RFP on page 11, Section X, Subsection H (“Budget and Narrative”), based on the space needed to conduct the services projected in their proposal.
Is telehealth an acceptable service delivery method to be included as part of the overall program services?
Yes, according to the RFP and relevant statutes, “Available Treatment Options (405 ILCS 22/10), Respondent(s) should utilize a variety of mental health services and treatment alternatives to develop their program services proposal.”
Are there required patient satisfaction or outcome measures that must be tracked?
No, providers are encouraged to describe their plan to measure satisfaction and outcomes in their proposal, see RFP page 10, Section X, Subsection G (“Evaluation and Iterative Improvement of Services”).
Would it be permissible to hire subcontractors, specifically subcontracting a psychiatrist/psych nurse practitioner?
Yes, it is permitted to hire subcontractors such as part time psychiatric services.
Since the rent cost and the number of clients to be served are currently unknown, could we provide an estimate for both? Alternatively, is there a specific number of individuals expected to be served? If so, where can I locate that information in the grant description?
An estimate is appropriate. We do not have a specific number of individuals expected to be served. We are seeking to understand the number of individuals you would expect to serve given the staffing and services you describe in the proposal.
One section of the grant description mentions the requirement to be a 501(c)(3), but another section states “if applicable.” Could you clarify this?
No, it is not a requirement to be a 501 (c)(3).