Tele-Behavioral Health

Maximum points available for this section: 15

Describe how the program requirements will be met.

• How this funding will address the three intended outcomes:
  • Expand opportunities for consumers to access tele-behavioral health services.
  • Reduce the technology and location barriers that exist for many consumers to access tele-behavioral health services.
  • Reduce disparities in access to behavioral health care for underserved populations.
• A description of the non-traditional site(s) and your agency’s relationship with the site(s).
• A description of the behavioral health services that will be offered at the non-traditional site.
• A description of the supports provided at the non-traditional site.
• An itemized description of the technology, infrastructure, and light remodeling expenses that will be incurred, complete with cost estimates.
• The necessary Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other confidentiality requirements that will be followed in providing care at the non-traditional site.
• The steps that will be taken to ensure the space at the non-traditional site is trauma sensitive.

Maximum points available for this section: 15

The capacity to do the work and meet the program requirements is different from the experience doing the work.

Describe capacity to implement the program design.

• Organization’s purpose or mission
• New or existing staff positions, and any professional licenses they hold, that will work under this grant and the anticipated number of hours per week for each position
• Recruitment process and the anticipated timeline if hiring new positions
• Continuation of the program if there is turnover in staff
• Resources or partnerships and their role in ensuring success of this program

If subcontractor(s) will be used to perform activities to achieve program goals, describe:

• The extent of the relationship.
• How the subcontractor(s) capacity relates to the overall ability to implement this program.
• Roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the subcontractor(s).
• Experience managing and monitoring subcontractor(s).

Maximum points available for this section: 15

Describe experience with, and/or knowledge similar to, this program.

• Providing services, conducting activities, and/or fulfilling requirements
• Building relationships with and/or working with the population(s) of focus or similar population(s)
• Collecting and using data or other information to determine if your efforts had an impact
• Hiring and supervising staff with specialized knowledge or licensure

If subcontractor(s) will be used to perform activities to achieve program goals, describe their experience with, and/or knowledge about:

• Providing services, conducting activities, and/or fulfilling the program requirements.
• Building relationships with and/or working with the population(s) of focus or similar population(s).
• Collecting and using data or other information to determine if efforts had an impact.
• Hiring and supervising staff with specialized knowledge or licensure.

Describe the relevant training and professional development staff and/or subcontracted staff will receive over the anticipated total funding period.

Maximum points available for this section: 5

Describe how services and supports provided by the program will continue long term when the contract term ends.

Maximum points available for this section: 30

Two priority areas have been defined for this funding opportunity. For each priority area describe:

• Objectives: Measurable and time-bound efforts to achieve the priority area.
• Activities: Specific steps you will take to meet the objectives.
• Timelines: When you anticipate starting and finishing each activity.
• Measurable impact: How you will measure or demonstrate a desirable outcome is being achieved for the priority area (for example, data source(s) or measurements that will be used, surveys of clientele, etc.).

Question one: I’m seeking clarification regarding "Eligible applicants" and what may fall under Behavioral Health. We currently have a contract with the Department of Corrections for Substance Use Disorder and Cognitive Behavioral Programming and currently use a Telehealth - Electronic Health Record. This contract has been in place for approximately five years. We are not currently credentialed as an entity for the State of Wisconsin however the clinicians are under their specific credentials (CSAC: ICS, LPC). We have integrated steps in place that have been shown to engage individuals; there are several different aspects that are brought in (educational videos, worksheets, etc.).

Answer one: Applicant must be located in Wisconsin. Applicant may be a Wisconsin county agency; an agency from a federally recognized tribe in Wisconsin; a nonprofit organization; a Federally Qualified Health Center; or a for-profit organization. 

The term “behavioral health” in this context means the promotion of mental health, resilience and wellbeing; the treatment of mental and substance use disorders; and the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions, along with their families and communities.

Question two: In the simplest of terms, what is this grant intended for? My interpretation of the notice is that this opportunity is designed to increase accessibility to tele-behavioral health services to underserved people living our particular service areas by establishing “access hub” in open-access public sites within or around those areas. For example: People who live in rural communities around the Wisconsin Dells/ Baraboo area who request BH services but cannot attend in-person services due to transportation limitations and do not have WIFI capabilities in their homes would be able to make their way to an “access hub” and used the “access hub’s” WIFI and or a device (tablet, laptop, desktop computer) to connect with their counselor and receive virtual BH services. 

• Is this interpretation and example accurate with the grant’s intention?
• Would the $50k award be able to fund items such as: WIFI hotspots, internet, tablets, laptops, headphones w/mic, rent for office space, service subscriptions and necessary update to the current Ho-Chunk Nation tele-health service plan?

Answer two: This is a funding opportunity for behavioral health providers to increase and develop access to tele-behavioral health through the development of partnerships with non-traditional sites. The example is accurate: Grant funds can be used to support the partnership, including purchasing the necessary technology for both the provider and non-traditional site, installing and maintaining broadband, supporting the use of technology, and light remodeling.

Question three: We are wondering if indirect costs are allowed and, if so, at what amount? I did not see anything in the RFA. Are there separate instructions that all WDHS grants follow? Typically, we use an indirect cost rate above 15% for research taking place in the community, which is where this research would likely focus.

Answer three: Indirect costs are allowable, either 15% or the agency’s federally approved rate, whichever is applicable.

Question four: Could you please confirm whether the $50,000 award amount noted in the announcement is the maximum funding available per recipient? 

• Is there any flexibility or tiering based on project scope or service area?
• Is there any information available regarding the projected census or anticipated reach for each funded access hub? Understanding the target service volume or population expectations will help us align our proposal scope and budget appropriately.

Answer four: The estimated award amount is up to $50,000 per recipient with the anticipated length of funding opportunity for one year with no opportunity for renewal or carryover of funds to another year. There is no required reach for each funded access hub; however, this could be one factor considered when evaluating whether a desirable outcome will be achieved for the focus population.

Question five: Will a cover page for the narrative document be counted against the page-count?

Answer five: There is a six-page narrative response maximum. Any information after the page limit will not be read, reviewed, or scored for by the evaluation team.

Question six: Will a references page be counted towards the page count of the narrative document (if I site scientific studies)?

Answer six: There is a six-page narrative response maximum. Any and any information after the page limit will not be read, reviewed, nor scored for this funding opportunity.  

Question seven: It says, “Grant funds can be used to purchase technology for the provider and non-traditional site, install and maintain internet service, support for using the technology, and remodel spaces.” Do all budgeted proposals have to spend within these restrictions, or can grant funds be utilized for therapist/counselor salary to provide free mental health services to those utilizing the new nontraditional spaces?

Answer seven: Grant funds can be used to support the partnership, including purchasing the necessary technology for both the provider and non-traditional site, installing and maintaining broadband, supporting the use of the technology, and light remodeling.

Question eight: We are a non-profit organization that provides mental health services, including therapy, psychology, and psychiatry services in our Appleton and Oshkosh clinics. What programs would align best with the funding priorities set forth by DHS?

Answer eight: Grant funds can be used to support the partnership, including purchasing the necessary technology for both the provider and non-traditional site, installing and maintaining broadband, supporting the use of the technology, and light remodeling. The program specifics are determined by the applicant to meet the grant funding requirements and to meet the needs of those using these services.

Question nine: In the program design section of the narrative, they ask for a “description of the non-traditional site(s) and your agency’s relationship with the site(s).” What does a “non-traditional” site mean?

Answer nine: These non-traditional sites could include schools, pharmacies, long-term care facilities, public libraries, community centers, homeless shelters, food pantries, or other publicly accessible locations in underserved areas, thereby expanding access to behavioral health treatment.

Question ten: If we were to apply for a program to recruit and train a new psychiatrist, would we be able to use grant funds towards a new psychiatrist’s sign-on bonus?

Answer ten: Grant funds can be used to support the partnership, including purchasing the necessary technology for both the provider and non-traditional site, installing and maintaining broadband, supporting the use of the technology, and light remodeling.

Question eleven: Our agency provides primary care and specialty care services. Especially in our primary care clinics, our providers do assess patients' behavioral health and work with them to find solutions; however, we do not employ any behavioral health providers. Instead, we have partnered with a tele-psych service as well as an outside behavioral health provider to support our patients. We are a non-profit organization, and we serve rural communities.

Answer eleven: The term “behavioral health” in this context means the promotion of mental health, resilience and well-being; the treatment of mental and substance use disorders; and the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions, along with their families and communities.