Black Mental Health

PROCUREMENT OVERVIEW

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is seeking proposals to provide continuous mental health support and programming for federally incarcerated offenders, specifically targeting Black and Indigenous populations in the Ontario and Nunavut regions. The primary objective is to deliver culturally relevant mental health services that enhance emotional resilience and support reintegration efforts for Black offenders. This includes in-person engagement sessions at each institution, ongoing access to culturally competent mental health services through group and individual sessions, and a reliable source of support throughout the contract period.

ISSUING ORGANIZATION

The issuing organization is the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The primary contact for this RFP is Danielle Murdoch, who can be reached at [email protected].

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Bidders must meet the following mandatory requirements:

• Cultural Competence: Demonstrated experience in providing culturally relevant mental health services, particularly for Black offenders.
• Collaboration: Ability to work with a Black-focused, Black-led community agency.
• Engagement Experience: Proven track record of conducting in-person engagement sessions in correctional settings.
• Ongoing Support: Capacity to provide continuous mental health services throughout the contract period.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Bidders should possess expertise in:

• Mental health support and programming tailored to ethnocultural communities.
• Group and individual therapy methodologies.
• Understanding of the unique barriers faced by Black offenders in accessing mental health services.

DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Key deliverables include:

• Conducting in-person engagement sessions at each institution to introduce available supports.
• Providing ongoing access to culturally competent mental health services through both group and individual sessions.
• Ensuring a consistent and reliable source of support throughout the contract duration.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on the lowest price technically acceptable model, focusing on:

• Technical approach and capability to deliver culturally relevant services.
• Past performance in similar projects.
• Pricing structure.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

While not mandatory, the following qualifications may provide a competitive advantage:

• Experience working within correctional facilities.
• Established relationships with Black-led community organizations.
• Additional certifications in mental health or counseling related to ethnocultural communities.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the RFP for bidders to assess their fit and prepare their proposals accordingly.