System of Care and Community Services Expansion Grants

Ontario County Department of Mental Health is soliciting proposals under the System of Care and Community Services Expansion Grants (RFP R26019) to fund innovative, community-based programs that enhance prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and peer support services addressing critical gaps in the county’s mental hygiene system for children, youth, families, and adults. A total of $250,000 in one-time funding is available, with individual awards of up to $100,000. Proposals must align with Ontario County’s System of Care framework, emphasizing culturally responsive, family-centered, evidence-based, or promising practices. Applicants are required to demonstrate clear project innovation, organizational capacity, and sustainability, and to provide measurable outcomes tied to SMART goals such as improved engagement, reduced risk, and symptom reduction. Proposals will be evaluated based on a weighted best-value trade-off approach, with greatest emphasis on project description and innovation (30%), organizational experience (20%), community need (15%), budget justification (15%), and sustainability (10%). Submission requires careful adherence to proposal formatting and mandatory certifications, including non-collusion, sexual harassment policy compliance, and Iran Divestment Act certification, with notarized documents. The contract imposes insurance requirements including commercial general liability, workers’ compensation, and disability insurance with carriers rated “A” or better. The agreement is governed by New York State law and includes provisions ensuring independent contractor status, vendor responsibility for documentation and reporting, and proprietary information management under FOIL. Proposals must be submitted electronically or via hard copy by December 19, 2025, through the Ontario County Purchasing Department or the specified OpenGov portal. The County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and conducts inspections and acceptance with final authority residing with the County. Reporting and outcome tracking will be required to demonstrate community impact and program effectiveness throughout and beyond the contract period.