The Center for Community Solutions and Greater Cleveland Works are jointly seeking proposals from qualified vendors/consultants/organizations to develop a comprehensive career pathway planning guide, that illustrates a range of local entry-level to advanced practice opportunities in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) (serving 0-5 year olds) and youth mental health services (focused on K-12 school-age youth).
Purpose
Develop and scale the mental and behavioral health workforce serving children and youth in Cuyahoga County
- Introduce mental and behavioral health careers to middle and high school students in Cuyahoga County
Expand career pathway awareness of existing early childhood professionals to increase interest in IECMH pathways
- Define clear and actionable career pathways, with robust information on how and why to enter these professions
- Grow desire to enter the behavioral health workforce at multiple life stages, including through outreach to current practitioners
- Recruit new college graduates into these areas of practice
- Align language and messaging with other initiatives
Background
Within the growing field of healthcare, opportunities for mental and behavioral health professionals are on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in mental health-related occupations and industries has grown over the past decade, and strong growth is projected to continue through 2032. Across Cuyahoga County, demand for mental health services for youth has been rising and at the same time Ohioans’ need for treatment is rising, the behavioral health workforce is wearing thin.
Scope of Work
- Identify High Wage, High Demand, High Growth positions within the behavioral health field
- Map behavioral health positions in Cuyahoga County
- Job Titles
- Salary Range
- Value of Benefit Package
- Education and/or Credential Requirements
- Experience Requirements
- Job Duties
- Opportunities for professional development/advancement within field
- Funding source(s) for the position
- Time between a position opening and position being filled for various jobs
- Create pathway models for individual with formal education for jobs serving infants, children and youth
- Create pathway models for individuals who wish to pursue formal education
- Necessary or desired fields of study
- Recommendations for internships/field placements
- Create pathway model for individuals without formal education to enter the field without additional education
- Identify the challenges faced by providers/employers in recruiting and retaining staff; and opportunities within organizations to provide information on and promote pathways
Timeline
We anticipate the project will begin on March 1, 2025, and be completed by July 31, 2025 Submission Instructions
- Written Narrative about how RFP respondent will complete the scope of work
- Proposed Timeline of activities and deliverables
- Price and payment schedule for the project
- Description of RFP’s qualifications and experience relative to this project
- Samples of work
- Contact name, title, affiliated organizations, phone number and email of three references
All final proposals and attachments must be emailed to emuttillo@communitysolutions.com no later than Monday, February 10, 2025.
Contract Award Anticipated notice of award will be released the week of February 17th.
