Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) located in Marin County outside of San Francisco, https://www.marinhhs.org/behavioral-health-recovery-services is working on a 36 month project to utilize technology to increase access to mental health services and support older adults in the county. This anticipated project has requested funding for $1,580,000 and is due to start in 2018 and last 36 months.
During a three year planning process and public comment period, stakeholders identified a need for additional mental health resources to support the growing older adult community in Marin County. Some senior citizens are particularly isolated which is often due to lack of access to transportation, physical limitations, anxiety or depression, and the fear of the stigma related to mental illness or cognitive impairment.
Given the demographics of Marin County and the need for targeted support, the Marin County BHRS, intends to utilize a suite of technology-based mental health resources through a multi-county collaborative project.
The county estimates that the number of individuals engaged in the technology aspect of this project will be about 200 annually with 300 additional people trained each year through outreach efforts. They will be taught how to detect behaviors that might reflect mental health or cognitive issues. The goal is to inform seniors on how to respond and then connect these individuals to resources.
Marin County issued a Request for Proposals on September 19, 2018 titled “Mental Health Services Act Innovation Technology Suite Project Management, Outreach, and Training” (RFP-HHS-2018-16). The deadline for the proposal submission is October 31, 2018.
The primary components of the Technology Suite requested in the RFP will offer online peer chats. The RFP seeks a network of web-based trained and certified peers that will be available to chat and provide support 24/7 to people that need help.
The RFP seeks to develop a Technology Suite offering virtual evidence-based on-line treatment protocols using treatment algorithm-based avatars to deliver clinical care. Through the avatar, individuals can access evidenced-based practices such as mindfulness exercises and dialectical behavior, and/or cognitive behavioral treatment interventions.
The RFP calls for developing and using computerized cognitive behavioral treatments as well as other treatments constructed by clinical experts in the behavioral health field. Also, an interactive interface with the capability to customize and modify will be developed based on the user’s feedback.
Go to https://www.marinhhs.org/suites/default/files/rfp/2018/rfp-hhs-2018-16.updated.pdf to view the RFP issued September 19, 2018.