08/02/2024 | OhioMHAS Announces Publication of RFP for Statewide Expansion of Mobile Response Stabilization Services

For Immediate Release:
August 2, 2024

OhioMHAS Announces Publication of RFP for Statewide Expansion
of Mobile Response Stabilization Services

MRSS provides rapid response for youth experiencing a mental health crisis

(COLUMBUS, OH)-As part of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's pledgeto improve Ohio's ability to respond when a young person is experiencing a mental health emergency, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is taking the next step to expand a program doing this crucial work.

Today, OhioMHAS announced the publication of a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking applicants to establish a contract as a regional provider of Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS).

MRSS is a rapid mobile response and stabilization service for people under the age of 21 who are experiencing significant behavioral or emotional distress and their families. Through this RFP, OhioMHAS is seeking to make the service available in all 88 counties across the state.

"In that urgent moment when a young person is in a mental health crisis, families need to know immediately where to turn for help," said Governor DeWine. "With MRSS, a team of trained professionals quickly deploy directly to the person experiencing distress and de-escalate the situation. It's as necessary as first responders in a physical emergency. So, we are eager to make this model available statewide."

OhioMHAS is seeking to establish contracts with providers in 18 identified regions, with the aim of broadening the service's coverage to include the full state. OhioMHAS will award up to $12 million to eligible providers to provide MRSS coverage.

Request for Proposal - MRSS Expansion

"This marks one step forward toward ensuring all Ohioans have someone to talk to, someone to respond, and somewhere to go when they are experiencing a behavioral health crisis," said OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn. "This new, regional MRSS model will leverage existing resources to accelerate the expansion of MRSS to every single Ohio county."

Each Regional MRSS Provider (RMP) will be responsible for all aspects of MRSS support, including initial dispatch, de-escalation, and stabilization. They will also be responsible for data monitoring and ensuring quality care for Ohio youth requiring these crisis services.

The full RFP can be viewed here. All responses must be received by Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Selected applicants must meet minimum qualifications within 60 days of the date of the award. Minimum qualifications include being certified to provide MRSS in accordance with specifications in OhioMHAS rule 5122-29-14and the MRSS Practice Standards, including any subsequent versions. Additionally, within 30 days of award, applicants must be enrolled as an MRSS provider with ODM or apply to be enrolled, contract with the Ohio Medicaid MCOs and OhioRISE plan, and be in good standing with OhioMHAS' Bureau of Licensure and Certification. In alignment with these requirements, OhioMHAS published the RFP in coordination with the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and the Ohio Department Children and Youth (DCY).

"When a young person is having a behavioral health crisis, it is vital that they get the help they need as soon as possible," said ODM Director Maureen Corcoran. "It's important that the young person, their family, teachers and communities all across Ohio have access to this kind of support, a service that provides immediate help when every moment counts."

"As a parent or caregiver, our first priority is making sure our children are okay," said DCY Director Kara Wente. "Services like MRSS are critical for all children - ensuring they have what they need - when and where they need it. Ohio's children and families deserve this type of rapid response, and I am excited to see this expansion underway."

OhioMHAS anticipates the new regional model to be implemented by January 2025. At that time, or when the model is operational, all funding and billing opportunities for MRSS available through ODM and OhioMHAS will only be available to RMPs and their subcontractors selected through the RFP process.

Increasing access to MRSS is part of Governor DeWine's commitment to providing a robust system of behavioral health care supports to all people across Ohio. In his 2024 State of the State Address, Governor DeWine called for MRSS to be taken statewide.

Today, MRSS is offered in 47 Ohio counties. Individuals in need of services can call the MRSS statewide call center 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-888-617-6777 (1-888-617-MRSS).

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OhioMHAS Contact:
Eric Wandersleben
[email protected]| 614.359.6754

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