Single Point of Access (SPoA) for Children's Behavioral Health

The Rhode Island Department of Administration, on behalf of the Department of Children, Youth and Families, has issued Request for Information RFI27007012 to gather industry expertise for the procurement of a statewide Single Point of Access (SPoA) for children's behavioral health. This initiative aims to establish a consistent front door for children and youth up to age 21 and their families, replacing fragmented entry points with a standardized pathway for screening, comprehensive clinical assessment, and referral. The SPoA is intended to function in partnership with existing entry points to ensure that referrals result in actual service connections, thereby reducing the reliance on emergency departments and out-of-home care as primary access points. As this is a Request for Information, no contract award will be made from this specific solicitation, and cost proposals are not being solicited. The state is seeking vendor input on national market standards, best practices for triage and care coordination, clinical assessment tools such as CANS, and effective staffing models. Interested parties are asked to provide information regarding their operational capacity, recommendations for a phased implementation over the first 3 to 12 months, and suggestions for access channels and family engagement. The primary point of contact for this effort is Clarisa Encarnacion, and responses are managed through the WebProcure portal.