Request for Proposal to Establish New Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT) or Elder Mobile Outreach Team (EMOT) Programs
MCOA continues to be committed to advancing the health and well-being of older adults through offering access to timely flexible behavioral health services. Older adults are the population that is most seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore we are pleased to announce funding is available to fund new older adult behavioral health programs to strengthen the capacity of the Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT) and Elder Mobile Outreach Team (EMOT) network that exists within the Aging Services Access Points and Councils on Aging. This opportunity is open to member Councils on Aging, Aging Services Access Points, Area Agencies on Aging, other community-based human services organizations, and behavioral health providers. Semi-annual reporting is required of all programs, these reports must be submitted to EOEA. The first report covers the reporting period of July 1-December 31 and is due January 31; the second report covers the reporting period of January- June and is due July 31.
Definition of New Programs:
MCOA seeks the creation of new programs to strengthen the capacity of the Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT) and Elder Mobile Outreach Team (EMOT) network. Specifically, to increase the network’s ability to provide behavioral health support in underserved communities.
Underserved communities may be defined as follows. Applicants must address at least one of these underserved communities in their response:
- Rural areas and/or Gateway Cities
- Racially and ethnically diverse older adults, including communities of color
- Older adults who do not speak English as a first language
- Geographic areas not-yet covered by an EMHOT or EMOT (see Appendix, Table 1)
- Older adults who identify as LGBTQ+
- Older adults living with disabilities (e.g., deaf or hard of hearing, blind or low vision)
Selected contractors will start new programs on December 1, 2021. This timeline was established to allow for bidders to confirm local connections for partnership and referral, and to have sufficient time for program start-up. Completed applications are due to MCOA by 10/13/21 and award notifications will be made by 10/22/21, contracts will be executed expeditiously for the December 1, 2021, start date.
Programs may be established by new organizations or existing EMHOTs or EMOTs. Funds may not be used to address existing EMHOT or EMOT program wait lists. Program budget requests may not exceed $75,000 for the initial period of performance (December 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022).