Key for Acquisition Type (alpha order):
RFA = Request for Application
RFB = Request for Bid
RFI = Request for Information
RFP = Request for Proposal
The Division of Care and Treatment Services is seeking applications for hospitals and clinics providing behavioral health care to expand telepsychiatry services for pediatric, child, and adolescent patients.
Telehealth has served as a cornerstone of outpatient health care since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has helped to maintain continuity of care and the patient-provider relationship. Telehealth can also fill gaps in access to behavioral health care caused by a shortage of mental health providers.
In the 2019 Wisconsin Behavioral Health Gaps Report, psychiatrists and psychiatric prescribers were the most common workforce gap identified in mental health in Wisconsin. Child and adolescent psychiatrist were cited as a critical workforce shortage in Wisconsin, more acute than psychiatrists generally.
The funds available through this funding opportunity may be used to purchase and support the technology needed to provide telepsychiatry services. The funds may also be used to recruit and retain psychiatrists and psychiatric prescribers who serve pediatric, child, and adolescent patients.
Eligible applicants
Nonprofit and for-profit hospitals, clinics, or health systems located in Wisconsin providing services to pediatric, child, and adolescent patients.
Preference will be given to provider-community partner applications that demonstrate the ability to improve access to telepsychiatry for pediatric, child, and adolescent patients who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid.
Eligibility requirements are mandatory as of the date the applicant applies.
Application deadline
September 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Estimated number of awards
Up to two awards
Estimated award amount(s)
Approximately $180,470 per recipient
Anticipated length of funding opportunity
One year
Anticipated contract dates
October 1, 2025-September 30, 2026
Total funding available
$360,941
Funding source
Match requirement
None
Award/denial notification timeline
October 20, 2025 (estimated)
Award statement
Award(s) will be made to responsive and responsible applicant(s) that:
- Attains the highest scored application.
- Best meets the needs of the population of focus.
- Best meets the needs of the people within the state, as determined by DHS.
Scoring rubric
Applications are read, reviewed, and scored by an evaluation team using the 100-point scale listed below. For sections with a higher point value, more detail in the response may be needed.
- Program design: 30 points
- Capacity: 30 points
- Experience and knowledge: 20 points
- Sustainability: 15 points
- Required documents: 5 points
Application requirements
Applications must include responses to the statements in the narrative response section below. There is a five-page narrative response maximum. Any information after the page limit will not be read, reviewed, nor scored for this funding opportunity.
Applications must also include the following additional documents:
These additional documents do not count toward the five-page narrative response page limit.
Narrative response
The narrative response describes how you will address the purpose of this funding opportunity. The narrative response must:
- Use a page size of 8.5” x 11”
- Use a font size no smaller than 11-point
The narrative response is a required component of your application. It must be organized into the following sections.
Maximum points available for this section: 30
Describe how the program requirements will be met:
- The geographic area and population intended to be served, as well as the need for the telepsychiatry services.
- The approach or philosophy toward the shortage of psychiatrists and psychiatric prescribers who serve pediatric, child, and adolescent patients.
- The approach to expand access to psychiatric services through either workforce or infrastructure development.
- The evaluation strategies that will be used to determine if the program design and delivery are effective.
Maximum points available for this section: 30
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:
- New or existing staff positions under this grant and the anticipated full-time equivalents (FTEs) 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: 20
Describe experience with, and/or knowledge similar to, this program:
- Explain the organization’s purpose or mission.
- Explain the organization’s experience in providing behavioral health and psychiatry services through telehealth to pediatric, child, and adolescent patients.
If subcontractor(s) will be used to perform activities to achieve program goals, describe their experience with, and/or knowledge similar to:
- 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: 15
Describe how services and supports provided by the program will continue long term when the contract term ends.
Reporting requirements
Recipients of this funding are required to following all reporting requirements defined by DHS, including:
- Performance reporting no later than 30 days past mid-point of the contract period, and no later than 30 days past the contract end date.
- Expense reporting forms submitted monthly in a format approved by DHS.
Application submission
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. September 19, 2025.
Applications must include the narrative response and the additional documents outlined in the application requirements section.
By submitting an application, the applicant acknowledges the statements on the Grant Funding Opportunities: Legal Definitions and Requirements page.
Submit applications to DHSDCTSBPTRFundingOpportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov with the subject line Youth Telepsychiatry.
Questions and answers
Questions regarding this funding opportunity were due August 15, 2025.
Yes. Applicants must be a hospital, clinic, or health system located in Wisconsin as defined by a physical presence or business office.
No. Applicants must be a hospital, clinic, or health system.
Yes, hospitals, clinics, or health systems located in Wisconsin as defined by a physical presence or business office are eligible to apply.
No, the funding must be used to expand telepsychiatry services for pediatric, child, and adolescent patients.