Recovery Workforce Outreach and Education

Notice Type: Intent to Sole Source Intended Awardee: NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 201 Alexandria, VA 22314 Title: Recovery Workforce Outreach and Education Solicitation#: 14-233-SOL-00606 Date: August 8, 2014 Notice of Intent: The Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) intends to award a contract to support SAMHSA's efforts to Utilize the audience and reach of SAMHSA and NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, will join forces to reach out to educate and inspire possible candidates to join the addiction and mental health fields as career by engaging its affiliates in key cities as conducts to the desired young adult and college-level audience. NAADAC will hold a minimum of eight (8) events throughout the year, with an emphasis on workforce development and education. The Addictions Professional Days will also align with SAMHSA's 24th annual National Recovery Month observance to promote this campaign during the year. In Accordance with 10 USC 2304(c) (1), as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1)(i) NAADAC is the only responsible source to satisfy agency requirements. The Association for Addiction Professionals is the only nationwide membership organization serving addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused health care professionals, who specialize in addiction prevention, treatment and education. NAADAC hosts several of our affiliate's websites, supports newsletter development and provides publications and training materials. NAADAC provides on-going technical assistance and other support for its affiliates, while maintaining their individual autonomy. With over 11,000 members, 46 state affiliates and international affiliates, NAADAC's network of addiction professionals spans the United States and the world. NAADAC has worked with states to develop their own advisory board, execute a strategic planning process, develop and implement a training system, host local conferences, trainings and seminars, build advocacy systems and funding streams. Background: In general, results from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reveals that an estimated 23.9 million Americans aged 12 or older were classified with alcohol or illicit drug dependence or abuse. In addition, 43.7 million adults aged 18 and older were classified with a mental illness. Often, people simultaneously experience both a mental and a substance use disorder, which is referred to as having a co-occurring disorder. More than one in four adults living with serious mental illness have a co-occurring substance use disorder, and people who have substance use disorders are roughly twice as likely to have a mood or anxiety disorder as those who do not. Living with a mental and/or substance use disorder can be challenging, but there is hope, and treatment is effective. In particular, combining treatment and support methods yields favorable outcomes for overcoming both mental health problems and substance use disorders. Between 70 and 90 percent of people with a mental illness experience significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of medication and psychosocial treatments. For many patients with a substance use disorder, a treatment and recovery plan - which is tailored to address each patient's drug abuse patterns and drug-related medical, psychiatric, and social problems - is most effective. This may include treatment medication, when available, in conjunction with behavioral therapy. Treatment for mental and/or substance use disorders produces proven lasting benefits for people with addictive disorders, their families and society. Effective treatment helps individuals achieve sustained reductions in alcohol and drug use, improve their physical and mental health, and lead more productive lives. People, in recovery, who have undergone treatment, are better able to raise families and contribute to their communities. Treatment also reduces criminal activity, significantly increases employment, and decreases homelessness among clients. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions of Americans who have been uninsured during the past years will be eligible for coverage. The ACA includes substance use disorders as one of the ten elements of essential health benefits. This means that all health insurance sold on Health Insurance Exchanges or provided by Medicaid to certain newly eligible adults starting in 2014 must include services for substance use disorders. By including these benefits in health insurance packages, more health care providers can offer and be reimbursed for these services, resulting in more individuals having access to treatment. Under the ACA more than 2.5 million young adults who were uninsured will gain coverage by being able to stay on their parent's health plan. An additional 54 million Americans will receive coverage through their private health insurance plan for many preventive services without cost sharing such as co-pays or deductibles. It is vital to train the substance use and mental health workforce since the ACA increases the number of people who will be eligible for health care under Medicaid in 2014, some of whom may need intervention and treatment services for substance use disorders. To fill this service gap, training from medical and non-medical professionals currently working in the field, as well as new groups of behavioral health specialists to fill new jobs is needed. It is imperative to educate behavioral health healthcare providers, counselors, and outreach workers, including recovery coaches, through the provision of online trainings, to familiarize them on the dynamics of SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, & Referral to Treatment), and help them identify how SBIRT can be integrated in order to prepare them to work in the framework of the ACA and the desired integration of substance abuse services into primary care. SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use disorders, as well as those who are at risk of developing these disorders. Primary care centers, hospital emergency rooms, trauma centers, and other community settings provide opportunities for early intervention with at-risk substance users before more severe consequences occur. It focuses in three concepts: (1) Screening quickly assesses the severity of substance use and identifies the appropriate level of treatment. (2) Brief intervention focuses on increasing insight and awareness regarding substance use and motivation toward behavioral change. (3) Referral to treatment provides those identified as needing more extensive treatment with access to specialty care. Description: Utilizing the audience and reach of SAMHSA and the Contractor will join forces to reach out to train and educate health care providers (other than M.D.), substance use and/or mental health counselors, peer support specialists, among others, about the dynamics of SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, & Referral to Treatment) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Contractor shall hold a minimum of eight (8) trainings throughout the year. The proposed eight (8) trainings will disseminate information about how to integrate screenings within the ACA's role to expand the coverage of treatment and recovery services to those covered under the ACA. This goal is consistent with SAMHSA's strategic initiatives: Health Reform, and Public Awareness and Support and within the proposed draft goals of the Leading Change 2.0, Health Care Integration and Parity goals. These trainings aim to assist attendees in understanding the new health system and processes providers and beneficiaries must follow. It is desired that this effort give special consideration and emphasis to including those who come from and serve special populations groups and minorities. These groups include African American, Asian Pacific Islander, Hispanic, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, older Americans, adolescents and youth, medication-assisted therapy patients, LGBT and the disabled community. The eight (8) trainings play a significant role for local community agencies, organizations, elected officials, business leaders, agencies and treatment services providers, people in recovery and others who come together to plan and execute events and activities to promote the knowledge and education of the new health care system which affects all Americans. Contractors possessing equal capabilities are encouraged to respond in writing no later than August 22nd, 2014. All responses should provide at a minimum: 1. Cover Letter/Capabilities Statement illustrating organizations' technical capabilities and expertise, as it relates to the requirements presented in this notice. (Begin listing the items that are in your respective solicitations) 2. List of at least 3-5 Past Performance references to include: a. Description of previous work efforts b. Contract number c. Point of contact Estimated Value: $99,950.00 Period of Performance: September 30th 2014 thru September 29th 2015 Procurement Classification (Service) Code: R499 - SUPPORT - PROFESSIONAL: OTHER North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 813920 - Professional Organizations Contracting Office: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration Program Support Center: Strategic Acquisition Service 12501 Ardennes Ave, Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 Contracting Officer: Darnese M. Wilkerson, CPCM, DHHS/PSC/SAS/DAM-B Branch Chief Phone: 301-443-1730 Email: Darnese.Wilkerson@psc.hhs.gov Point of Contact: Peter D. Preston, Contract Specialist, SAS/PSC/DAM-B Phone: 301-443-5100 Email: Peter.Preston@psc.hhs.gov