REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

Residential Program for Houston’s Homeless Men with Serious Mental Illness

Issued by the Hope and Healing Center & Institute

The Hope and Healing Center & Institute (HHCI), in collaboration with the Lord of the Streets Episcopal Church (LOTS), seeks a consultant to develop a plan for the establishment of a residential program for chronically homeless men with mental illness at Lord of the Streets Episcopal Church’s existing 14-bed facility. The residential program will provide shelter, psychiatric care, and stabilizing services for three months and enable chronically homelessness men living with serious mental illness to apply for permanent supportive housing through Houston’s The Way Home initiative.

Goal: Reduce chronic homelessness among men living with serious mental illness in Houston, Texas

Purpose: There are very few beds in clinical residential treatment programs in Houston available for the indigent. A combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports can reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life significantly for 70 – 90% of individuals who suffer from serious mental illness. Further, the addition of clinical mental health interventions could make existing social care interventions several times more effective for homeless men with psychological disorders.

A residential program at LOTS’ existing 14-bed facility serving the mentally ill chronically homeless population of men in Downtown and Midtown Houston would give clinicians a full picture of the residents’ functioning and the opportunity to optimize their treatment. Residents could be stabilized and supported while applying for permanent supportive housing offered through The Way Home initiative, the city-wide effort that is credited with the steady decline in homelessness since its launch in 2012.

Homeless men will benefit from regular professional treatment at the facility, including care from Harris Health System’s psychiatry and behavioral health services and support groups and mental health coaching provided by HHCI. In addition, the residential program will offer a home-like atmosphere and sense of community that will help residents build self-esteem, develop relationships, and improve skills.

Responses Due: 12:00 noon, July 17, 2017. Submit proposal and letter of interest electronically to:

Matthew S. Stanford, PhD, CEO

Hope and Healing Center & Institute

717 Sage Road

Houston, Texas 77056

Phone: (713) 830-4144

Email: mstanford@hopeandhealingcenter.org

Scope of Services Requested: The consultant will take into consideration the complete context of the prospective residential program and develop a plan that will include:

1. Feasibility study
2. On-site visit and in depth research to understand the current political, funding, and regulatory climate in which the program will exist. The study will also address the identification of needs to support the program, including the city, county, and/or state licensure required, facility readiness/renovation, financing, insurance and liability issues, staffing, medication and services needed, and the ability to work with the City of Houston and other organizations to support the intended beneficiaries of this program
3. Overview of best practices, relative to the delivery of services to individuals who are homeless and experiencing serious mental illness and other behavioral health challenges, to help inform the development and implementation of the program
4. Identification of policies, procedures, and practices that may require creation and execution, as well as staffing requirements and training needs.
5. Program scalability and replication will be examined for sustainability purposes.
6. Presentation of feasibility study report that includes a detailed analysis of all findings to the Advisory Council
7. Strategic Plan

Development of a comprehensive strategic plan based on the results of the feasibility study that will include all elements of needs relative to capacity and capability. This may include such areas as Governance, Administration, Human Resources, Training, Finances and Risk Management, Facility Management, Service Provision, Policies and Procedures, Record Keeping, and Billing. It may also include strategies for community and stakeholder engagement, if deemed necessary based on the feasibility study.

Proposal format: Proposals must be received at the above email address no later than 12:00 noon on July 17, 2017 and include the following information.

1. A description of approach to be used to accomplish the work elements outlined above.
2. Proposed activities and work products consistent with the scope of services described above and the time frame below.
3. Describe experience and similar work;
4. Describe barriers identified and if and how they were overcome;
5. Provide sample reports and examples of specific actionable recommendations made;

• A description of the experience, qualifications, and responsibilities for all contributing personnel.

1. A not to exceed total, all-inclusive maximum proposed price to perform the desired work. Include direct and indirect costs, usual and customary expenses, time estimates for contributing personnel as well as the proposed manner of payment and terms.
2. The names of three references drawn from past clients or associates, including a description of relationship to reference, email address, and telephone number for each.

HHCI will not be responsible for expenses incurred in preparing this proposal (RFP) and such costs should not be included.

Evaluation of Proposals: Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Qualifications and experience of the principal(s) who would be conducting the activities and preparing recommendations and reports;
• Sample work product and reports;
• Proposer’s understanding of the work to be performed and prior experience with similar projects;
• Quality and clarity of proposal in addressing scope and goals;
• Ability to meet timeframe of the proposed project;
• Proposed approach to project; and
• Proposed cost.

Selection Process: HHCI will evaluate proposals. The highest evaluated proposers may be invited to discuss their proposals and qualifications prior to awarding the contract. An in person interview or by telephone may be required. Decisions will be made by October 1, 2017.

Period of Service: October 15, 2017 to June 15, 2018

Supervision/Project Team: The planning for this collaborative effort will be led by Matthew S. Stanford, PhD, CEO of HHCI, and the Rev. Steve Capper, Vicar of LOTS.