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Request for Proposals (RFP)
School Mental Health System Learning Collaborative Opportunity:
Collaborative for Improvement and Innovation Network on Quality Improvement
Project Description
The Center for School Mental Health (CSMH) invites comprehensive school mental health
systems (CSMHS) to apply to participate in one of two fifteen-month Collaborative
Improvement and Innovation Networks (CoIINs) focused on quality/sustainability to implement
best practices, policies, and financing strategies that support access to and the expansion of highquality and sustainable school-based mental health services. Comprehensive school mental
health systems (CSMHS) are defined as school district-community partnerships that
provide a continuum of mental health services to support students, families and the school
community (see specific eligibility criteria below). The CoIIN initiative is part of the School
Health Services National Quality Initiative (NQI) funded by the Health Resources and Services
Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network (CoIIN) Overview
A CoIIN is a learning collaborative that utilizes an innovative, multi-faceted learning framework
to rapidly translate expert knowledge and best practices to practical program change. The goals
of the CoIINs are to support CSMHS in effective implementation of best practices and policies
that support school health services' success in achieving high quality and sustainability. Each
CoIIN will consist of in-person and virtual learning sessions, technical assistance and coaching,
the selection and implementation of change packages, and the utilization of cost-free data
systems for reporting and quality improvement purposes. Participating CSMHS will set common
goals and benchmarks, develop coordinated, feasible strategies and apply rapid test cycles with
real-time data to drive quality improvement and support capacity building and expansion of their
CSMHS (See Appendices A and B).
Two CoIINs are available for participation; 1) the CSMHS Quality CoIIN and: 2) the CSMHS
Sustainability CoIIN:
 The CSMHS Quality CoIIN will help CSMHS utilize best practices in school mental
health to help improve their system. The learning curriculum will include needs
assessment and resource mapping, data driven decision making, use of evidence based
practices and programs, effective family-school-community partnerships, program
evaluation and effective teaming.
 The CSMHS Sustainability CoIIN will help existing CSMHS identify best strategies
for long-term sustainability of school mental health services in their district. The learning
curriculum will include financial and non-financial aspects of sustainability, including
strategies that support long-term sustainability, communicating effectively with
stakeholders, understanding available funding resources, combining funding sources,
offering and sustaining a full continuum of care, expanding existing services, the role of
and unique considerations related to fee-for-service, and maximizing opportunities at
school, local/district, state, and federal levels.
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Benefits of Participation
 CSMHS will receive financial support for two team members to travel to one in-person
2-day meeting, which will be scheduled in the fall/winter of 2015 and held in the
Baltimore/D.C. area.
 Systems will receive extensive, ongoing professional development, expert training,
coaching and technical assistance by CSMH staff and expert faculty including:
o Free access to national school mental health experts for 15 months
o 4 virtual learning sessions
o Monthly consultation calls
o PDSA cycles facilitation
o Access to, and training and technical assistance for a free online data platform
(available for continued access after the 15 month CoIIN) allowing your CSMHS
to:
 Self-assess your system on national standardized performance measures
for quality and sustainability
 Obtain individualized reports and resources to advance your quality and
sustainability performance
 Track the progress and outcomes of interventions delivered to students,
classrooms, grades, or the entire school with easy-to-use measurement
tools and printable graphics to show progress
o Online platform to facilitate cross-team communication
Expected Responsibilities
 Participate in the project orientation webinar in the fall of 2015.
 Participate in a 2-day, in-person meeting in the fall of 2015.
 Complete an online census and self-assessment on your CSMHS within the first 30 days
of CoIIN participation.
 Participate in 4 virtual learning sessions with CSMH faculty for progress reporting,
consultation, and technical assistance.
 Participate in monthly consultation calls with CSMH faculty for progress reporting,
consultation, and technical assistance.
 Complete Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles.
 Report on the impact of CoIIN participation on your CSMHS and share your experience,
system's progress and/or outcomes through at least one workshop, webinar and/or
publication.
Eligibility
 Be a Comprehensive School Mental Health System (CSMHS). CSMHS are defined as
school district-community partnerships that provide a full array of tiered services,
including universal mental health promotion activities, as well as selective prevention and
indicated early intervention services, including clinical assessment and treatment. They
are built on collaborative partnerships between school systems and community programs,
so that the efforts of school-employed mental health professionals are augmented in a
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planned, purposeful way by community mental health programs, such as community
mental health centers, hospitals, and universities, to improve student behavior, reduce
barriers to learning, increase access to mental health care, and improve both student
attendance and academic achievement. In addition, CSMHS use evidence-based practices
to the extent possible and attempt to address quality improvement. School mental health
systems that have established these objectives or are in development of these
capabilities are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must identify and obtain commitments from a core CoIIN team of 6 members,
to include at least 1 representative from each of the following groups:
o School district leader (this individual should serve as the CoIIN team leader)
o School administrator (Principal, Vice Principal)
o School-employed supervisor/director (e.g., district school psychology supervisor)
o Community-employed supervisor/director (e.g., clinical director of a community
behavioral health organization that provides school mental health services)
o Youth/Family advocate
Have capability to access basic school system data including student population data,
school mental health service and school outcome information.
Have internet and phone access to be able to participate in virtual learning experiences.
RFP Q&A Webinar
The Center for School Mental Health will host a webinar for potential applicants to the
Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Networks (CoIIN) for School-Based Health Services
Request for Proposals on May 26, 2015 from 12:00-1:00 pm ET to review the RFP and answer
questions. Please register for the webinar at
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/342171683551262209 and call (646) 307-1706
(Access Code: 765-612-474). This webinar will be recorded and archived online at
http://csmh.umaryland.edu/index.html.
If you have questions, please send a detailed email with your question(s) and contact information
(name, organization/school district, telephone number and email address) to the Center for
School Mental Health at [email protected].
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Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Networks (CoIIN) for School-Based Health Services
APPLICATION
Review Criteria
The capacity and
commitment of the
Team Leader to
coordinate CoIIN
participation and
programmatic change at
the district level.
(20 pts)
Clear description of
CSMHS characteristics.
(20 pts)
Clearly delineated
challenges,
opportunities and goals
and commitment to
programmatic change.
(20 pts per question)
Application (100 points)
Lead staff person
1. Provide a one-page letter of intent from lead staff person describing:
 application to the quality or sustainability track,
 commitment to CoIIN involvement,
 school mental health experience and capacity to achieve CoIIN goals
Provide resume for Team Leader
Program Overview
1. A brief description (no more than 500 words) of the CSMHS including
number of participating schools, number and description of staff, types of
programs and services, school-community partnerships, demographic
information on population served). Also include any information about the
CSMHS’s involvement in other projects or initiatives.
Essay Questions (Each response should not exceed 500 words)
1. What do you see as the top challenges and opportunities in your
district to improve comprehensive school mental health quality or
sustainability?
2. If your district was selected to participate, what are 2-3 quality or
sustainability goals you might consider pursuing?
3. What strengths will each of your team members bring to this project
that will help you achieve success in your quality or sustainability
goals?
Application Materials to Complete and Submit Electronically:
1) Team Member Information
2) Letter of Intent from Team Leader
3) Resume from Team Leader
4) Program Description
5) Essay Questions
6) Statements of Commitment from Each Team Member
The application must be saved as a pdf file and electronically submitted to [email protected]
no later than 5:00 PM EDT on June 30, 2015. Faxed or mailed submissions WILL NOT be accepted.
The applicant organization will receive notification of the Center for School Mental Health’s receipt of
the application.
CoIIN Participation Decisions
Notification of CoIIN participation decisions will be made no later than August 1, 2015.
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Team Member Information
Please provide the following information about your team members:
1) Name (Team Leader)
Title, Organization/School District
Email
Phone
4) Name
Title, Organization/School District
Email
Phone
2) Name
Title, Organization/School District
Email
Phone
5) Name
Title, Organization/School District
Email
Phone
3) Name
Title, Organization/School District
Email
Phone
6) Name
Title, Organization/School District
Email
Phone
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Statement of Commitment
(must be completed and signed individually by ALL team members)
I, _______________________________, _______________________, commit to full and active
(name)
(organization)
participation, if my team is selected to participate in the Center for School Mental
Health Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Networks (CoIIN) for School-Based Health
Services. My prospective participation has been approved by my supervisor, and there are no
foreseeable barriers to my active engagement in this project. I will make my best effort to
participate in all project activities, and fulfill my CoIIN team responsibilities.
___________________________________________________
Name
___________________________________________________
Signature
_________________
Date
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Appendix A: CoIIN Training Model
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Appendix B: CoIIN Training Calendar
2015
August
Participation is announced
September
Participate in a pre-work conference call with CoIIN faculty to review
expectations, time, and answer questions
October
Complete the online census for your CSMHS
October
Complete the online quality and sustainability questionnaires for your CSMHS
October
November
Attend and participate in a 2-day, in-person meeting with CoIIN faculty and
other CoIIN teams
Complete and submit a baseline report to CoIIN faculty
November
Participate in an interactive online learning session with CoIIN faculty
December
Participate in a conference call with CoIIN faculty to discuss and evaluate
monthly progress reporting and data, and receive feedback
2016
January
Participate in a conference call with CoIIN faculty to discuss and evaluate
monthly progress reporting and data, and receive feedback
February
Complete and submit a mid-point report to CoIIN faculty
February
Participate in an interactive online learning session with CoIIN faculty
February
Participate in a conference call with CoIIN faculty to discuss and evaluate
monthly progress reporting and data, and receive feedback
March
Participate in a conference call with CoIIN faculty to discuss and evaluate
monthly progress reporting and data, and receive feedback
April
Participate in a conference call with CoIIN faculty to discuss and evaluate
monthly progress reporting and data, and receive feedback
May
Participate in an interactive online learning session with CoIIN faculty
May
Participate in a conference call with CoIIN faculty to discuss and evaluate
monthly progress reporting and data, and receive feedback
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June
Participate in a conference call with CoIIN faculty to discuss and evaluate
monthly progress reporting and data, and receive feedback
July
Participate in a conference call with CoIIN faculty to discuss and evaluate
monthly progress reporting and data, and receive feedback
August
Participate in an interactive online learning session with CoIIN faculty
August
Complete and submit a final report to CoIIN faculty
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