The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to create and support promising practices that address gaps in the current system of support for people dually diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental illness. The deadline to submit a proposal is Dec. 6, 2019.
Background
Recent studies indicate that more than half of all people with IDD have a mental illness. People with IDD experience the same psychiatric disorders – major depression, bipolar disorders, etc. – as people without IDD. Also, people with IDD experience trauma significantly more often than people without IDD. Because of behavioral differences in how symptoms can be expressed, making an accurate diagnosis and identifying the most effective forms of treatment for people with IDD can be challenging.
Focused efforts are needed to make systemic changes to ensure that behavioral health services are IDD-informed and all gaps in the provision of IDD services are identified and comprehensively addressed. Without targeted and sustainable system changes, psychiatric disorders and trauma experienced by individuals with IDD will continue to go unrecognized and untreated until a crisis arises. TCDD has recognized that sustainable systems improvements in multiple areas are needed to provide the appropriate, timely, and effective responses to the needs of individuals who are dually diagnosed with IDD and mental illness (IDD-MI).
About the RFP
The purpose of the Complex Mental Health Needs and People with IDD RFP is to create and support promising practices that enable people dually diagnosed with IDD-MI to be fully included in their communities and to have control over their own lives.
There are multiple gaps in the current system of support for individuals with complex mental health needs and IDD. Projects will address one or more of the areas listed below.
- Individuals and Families – Education and Training: The project would focus on increasing knowledge about possible signs of mental illness and how to access appropriate treatment.
- Healthcare Providers – Education and Training: The project would support professionals who work in the field of IDD or mental health to develop advanced knowledge and skills to support people with IDD-MI.
- Educators – Education and Training: The project would advance the knowledge and skills needed to improve the way Texas educators support students with IDD-MI.
- Improving Quality of Care in Services to People with IDD-MI: The project would create models to improve the quality of care by ensuring patients with IDD-MI are involved in the care they receive and receive the care when they need it.
- Expanding Access to Mental Health Services for People with IDD: The project would create models to expand access to care for patients by addressing gaps in service due to geographic challenges, barriers to entering the healthcare system, and difficulties with finding knowledgeable providers.
- Investigating Other Mental Health Needs to Improve State Practices: The project would provide additional information – that could be used by state leaders and others – regarding barriers to appropriate supports and services for people with IDD-MI. A project may include a review and analysis of data and strategies, the development of a data collection protocol, a compilation of recommendations, and/or a statewide conversation with individuals and experts.
Eligibility
Any organization that meets the requirements set forth in this RFP can apply. Eligible applicants could include:
- government agencies,
- nonprofits,
- colleges and universities,
- faith-based institutions,
- technical and/or professional schools, and
- for-profit businesses.
Individuals may not apply for this grant.
Grant Funds Available
TCDD may award projects within a range of funding. Project budgets may be as low as $25,000 or as high as $300,000 per year, per project, for up to five years. Match must be calculated based on the requested amount.
Project durations will be proposed by the applicant. Proposals can be for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years. TCDD does not automatically continue funding each year and may terminate funds prior to the end date in this RFP.
The Council may also choose to not fund any project.
Key Dates
Proposals are due to TCDD by 5 p.m. Central Time on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. Late proposals will not be accepted. TCDD intends to notify applicants about funding decisions following TCDD’s February 2020 Council Meeting.
TCDD will hold an informational webinar to provide more information about TCDD’s processes for proposal review and grant award. You are not required to attend in order to apply. The informational webinar will be held at 1 p.m. Central Time on Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. To register for the webinar, contact Linda Logan at grants2@tcdd.texas.gov
More Information and Submitting a Proposal
For more information, the complete RFP is available on TCDD Complex Mental Health Needs RFP webpage on the DD Suite website. Proposals for this RFP and all forms must be submitted using DD Suite. If you have questions after reviewing the complete RFP, email Linda Logan at grants2@tcdd.texas.gov or call (512) 437-5432.
