Black Mental Health

PROCUREMENT OVERVIEW:
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is seeking proposals to provide continuous mental health support and programming specifically tailored for federally incarcerated offenders in the Ontario and Nunavut regions. The focus is on delivering culturally relevant mental health services to Black offenders, alongside support for Indigenous and ethnocultural offenders. The program aims to foster emotional resilience and mitigate barriers to care, thereby aiding in the reintegration of these individuals into society. Key components of the service include in-person engagement sessions at each institution, ongoing access to culturally competent mental health services, and a reliable support system throughout the contract period.

ISSUING ORGANIZATION:
Correctional Service of Canada (CSC)
Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Primary Contact: Danielle Murdoch
Email: [email protected]

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Bidders must demonstrate experience in providing culturally relevant mental health services, particularly to Black communities.
• Collaboration with a Black-focused, Black-led community agency is essential.
• Bidders must have a proven track record of delivering mental health support services in correctional settings or similar environments.
• No specific certifications, registrations, or security clearances are mentioned as mandatory.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES:
Bidders should possess expertise in mental health service delivery, particularly in culturally sensitive practices. Familiarity with group and individual therapy methodologies tailored for Black offenders is crucial. Experience in engaging with correctional facilities and understanding the unique challenges faced by incarcerated populations is also necessary.

DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
Key deliverables include:

• Conducting in-person engagement sessions at each federal institution to introduce available mental health supports.
• Providing ongoing access to culturally competent mental health services through both group and individual sessions.
• Ensuring consistent and reliable support throughout the contract duration. Performance metrics may include client engagement levels, feedback from participants, and successful outcomes in emotional resilience.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Proposals will be evaluated based on the lowest price technically acceptable approach. Key factors include the technical approach to service delivery, past performance in similar contracts, and overall pricing.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
While not mandatory, preferred qualifications include:

• Experience working with Black communities in a mental health context.
• Previous contracts with correctional facilities or similar organizations.
• Familiarity with the unique cultural and emotional needs of Black offenders.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview for potential bidders to assess their fit for the opportunity to support Black mental health within the Correctional Service of Canada.