(ITHACA, NY, January 30, 2024) – Tompkins County Whole Health is announcing a Request for Proposals for the development and operation of an Innovative Housing Solutions and Intensive Supports program. This program will provide emergency housing and wraparound support to Tompkins County residents who are currently experiencing or are at-risk of homelessness and who have substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders resulting in frequent use of crisis response services or interactions with law enforcement. Approximately $1.03 million will be available to the selected organization for a three-year pilot period.
Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca received this funding as part of the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund Regional Abatements, a series of payments to local governing units (LGUs) from several large drug companies for their roles in the opioid crisis. According to the CDC, the opioid crisis continues to worsen in the United States with most drug overdose deaths involving opioids like heroin and fentanyl. Tompkins County Whole Health regularly publishes data related to overdoses and drug-related deaths, which continue to rise locally.
The Tompkins County Community Services Board (CSB) recommended and approved use of the opioid settlement funds for the Innovative Housing Solutions and Intensive Supports program based on priorities outlined in the Tompkins County Local Services Plan and the Opioid Settlement Fund Approved Use of Funds and Priority Funding Areas. The CSB is a volunteer-led governing body responsible for developing preventative, rehabilitative, and treatment services to ensure continuity of care for community members with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and those experiencing or recovering from substance use disorders.
Tompkins County Whole Health is seeking proposals from nonprofit organizations with proven histories of providing housing and case management to people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness and who have substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders. The selected organization will be responsible for the design, staffing, and operation of this program for a three-year pilot period.
Proposals are due 2PM on Friday, February 23rd, 2024, with the final award to be announced by Friday, March 15th, 2024. Eligible organizations can find the full Request for Proposals and submit their bid materials online at the Tompkins County page on BidNetDirect or NYS Contract Reporter. Bidders who do not have, or cannot obtain, internet access can contact the Purchasing Divisionvia email (preferred), purchase@tompkins-co.org or by telephone, (607) 274-5500 for further instructions.
This funding opportunity is an additional component of Tompkins County’s commitment to preventing and healing the trauma of the opioid crisis in our community. The Tompkins County Legislature recently approved a slate of grant awards to community organizations to strengthen the local overdose prevention network, expand harm reduction strategies, and improve collaboration and/or workforce investment. These projects focus on peer support, community outreach, overdose prevention, and workforce development, among other goals, and include recipients such as Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources (OAR), REACH Medical, ReUse, Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS), and the Alcohol and Drug Council (ADC).
Tompkins County Whole Health Commissioner Frank Kruppa stated, “This is one of the biggest issues facing our community. With this program we have a chance to radically change how we get resources to people facing pressing substance use and mental health needs – primarily housing and supportive services. I urge the organizations operating in our community to consider what programming they can provide in response to this RFP; while it is a one-time pilot program it can prove the concept and become a lasting and transformative community service”.
Deb Mohlenhoff, City Manager for the City of Ithaca, stated, “The City of Ithaca is excited to pool our opioid settlement dollars with Tompkins County to fund this crucial program. Collaboration with our County partners is the only way for the City to begin to address the root causes and provide crucial programs to help break the cycle of crisis and support people with serious co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders in achieving their personal recovery goals. The City of Ithaca looks forward to reviewing innovative program proposals from our talented and committed partners in the supportive housing sector.”
Community Services Board Chair Jan Lynch stated, “The Community Services Board is pleased to present this opportunity to enhance community services in Tompkins County. We look forward to participating in the review process and supporting work that can make a positive impact on the lives of our most vulnerable community members”.
Tompkins County Legislator and liaison to the CSB Randy Brown stated, “I believe we have to use an ‘all of the above’ approach when addressing substance use disorder, mental health, and homelessness. I’m excited that this program will look at the intersection of these issues and I’m confident in the organizations and individuals who are engaged in this work to design an impactful program”.
For additional information about the Tompkins County Community Services Board, please visit our webpage at: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health/csb.
For additional information about submitting requests for proposals, please visit TC Purchasing Division’s webpage at: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/purchase.
Tompkins County Whole Health envisions a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TompkinsWholeHealth and on Twitter at @TCWholeHealth. Get Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text, sign up here.
Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
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