Project Information

Bid Title

RFP 137 Statewide Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Social Emotional Supports Framework

Issuing Agency

State of Vermont

Location

Vermont

Published Date

Apr 9, 2026

Closing Date

Apr 21, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
RFP 137 Statewide Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Social Emotional Supports Framework	04/07/2026 04:00PM	RFP137 Questions&Answers (04/09/2026)	04/21/2026 04:00PM

Attachment Preview

Department of Mental Health

166 Horseshoe Drive | Waterbury VT 05671-20110

802-241-0090 phone |802-241-0100 fax

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP 137 Statewide Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Social Emotional

Supports Framework

ISSUE DATE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

March 10, 2026

April 7, 2026 – 4:00 PM (ET)

All questions are to be submitted electronically via VT Buys

April 21, 2026 – 4:00 PM (ET)

All proposals are to be submitted via VT Buys

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS RFP WILL BE POSTED AT:

Public Solicitations: Vermont Buys

STATE CONTACT:

E-MAIL :

Jennifer Rowell

AHS.DMHSubmissions@vermont.gov

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED

INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK VT

BUYS FOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED WITH

THIS RFP.

If you speak a language not listed on the website below or require additional help, we offer free language

assistance services. The State of Vermont contracts with several Translation Services organizations, and

you can visit this page for more information Language Access | Department of Mental Health.

If you require assistance with technology, access, or have other issues with being able to complete your

proposal, reach out to the single point of contact.

1

1. OVERVIEW:

1.1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the

Department of Mental Health (DMH, hereinafter the “State”) seeks to establish a

contract with a qualified entity to support the development and implementation of a

coordinated, statewide framework for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

and Social Emotional Supports. This framework aims to improve capacity and

access, strengthen early learning environments and equip educators with the

knowledge, tools, and guidance necessary to promote children’s positive

development, well-being, mental health, and early relational health.

1.1.2. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: The Vermont Agency of Human Services

(AHS) strives to improve the conditions and well-being of Vermonters by ensuring all

Vermonters have the opportunity to thrive in inclusive, equitable, and resilient

communities. The scope of AHS is profound. Through its six departments, twelve

district offices, and a network of community partners and providers, it is responsible

for the implementation and delivery of all human service programs within the state.

Each department has a distinct area of focus and responsibility and contributes to

the creation and sustenance of an entire system of human service supports.

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) resides under AHS and has the same

critical mission in mind. DMH promotes mental health as a vital part of overall well-

being by advancing prevention, early intervention, and recovery-focused care. Our

vision is that mental health serves as a cornerstone of health in Vermont, where

inclusive communities respond with compassion and respect, enabling all

Vermonters to thrive and participate fully in their lives. This work is guided by our

core values of compassion, equity, integrity, collaboration, and accountability.

DMH works in partnership with the Department for Children and Families, Child

Development Division (CDD) and Vermont Head Start Collaboration Office (VHSCO)

and the Agency of Education (AOE) to implement and oversee Mental Health and

Social Emotional Developmental supports and services to young children, families

and early childhood education settings through a mixed delivery system. DMH will

work in partnership with CDD and AOE for the contract arising from this RFP.

1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Contracts arising from this RFP will be for a period of

approximately six months. The State anticipates the start date for such contract(s) will

begin in June 2026 and must be completed no later than 12/30/2026.

1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this RFP are to be

submitted through VT Buys. In the event that a bidder is experiencing system issues

with submitting a question through VT Buys, communications should be addressed in

writing to the State Contact listed on the front page of this RFP. Actual or attempted

contact with any other individual from the State concerning this RFP is strictly prohibited

and may result in disqualification.

1.4. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of

this RFP or wishing to comment on any requirement of the RFP must submit specific

questions in VT Buys no later than the deadline for question indicated on the first page

of this RFP. As noted in 1.3, questions should be e-mailed to the single point of contact

on the front page of this RFP if a bidder is experiencing system issues with VT Buys.

Revised: February 13, 2026

Page 2 of 14

Questions or comments not submitted on or before the last day of the question period

are thereafter waived. At the close of the question period a copy of all questions or

comments and the State's responses will be posted to this solicitation in VTBuys and on

the DMH website under the Careers and Opportunities tab

https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/RFP).

Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as possible after the question

period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions. All information

provided by vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide

confidential information, except as described in 4.1 below.

1.5. CHANGES TO THIS RFP: Any modifications to this RFP will be made in VT Buys by

the State through the issuance of an Addendum to this RFP as well as posted on the

DMH website and the Vermont Business Registry. Modifications from any other source

are not to be considered.

1.6. SOURCE OF FUNDS: The Department anticipates using Federal funds for the resulting

contract(s). The Department may choose to modify the source of funding contingent

upon the availability of funds at the time of award. Any selected Vendor will be subject

to the requirements in the Assistance Listing Number (ALN) #93.434, U.S. Department

of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families

Please note that when procurements are supported by federal funds, SOV business

users must take affirmative steps that include at least the following Socioeconomic

affirmative steps per 2 C.F.R. § 200.321:

1. Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises

on solicitation lists;

2. Assuring that small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises are

solicited whenever they are potential sources;

3. Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or

quantities to permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and

women’s business enterprises;

4. Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourage

participation by small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises;

5. Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the

Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of

the Department of Commerce; and

6. Requiring the prime/general contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the

same affirmative steps as listed in numbers 1 through 5.

This project is being funded in whole or in part using federal monies. If a bidder requires

assistance in preparing their proposal or needs guidance on socioeconomic certifications,

the bidder may contact the VT APEX Accelerator. The APEX Accelerator specializes in

helping small businesses navigate the documentation associated with State and Federal

procurement. Their website is: http://apex.vermont.gov.

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED OUTCOMES:

Revised: February 13, 2026

Page 3 of 14

2.1. The State of Vermont is interested in obtaining bids to meet the following business

need(s): assist Vermont in building a coordinated, statewide framework that

strengthens early learning environments through a consultation and training system

that equips educators with the knowledge and guidance they need to promote

children’s positive development, well-being, mental health, and early relational health.

2.2. The State of Vermont seeks to achieve the following Business Values:

2.2.1. Customer Service Improvement: The new solution will provide new or improved

customer service or services.

2.3 Scope of Work & Expected Activities

Respondents will address each of the following:

2.3.1 SOW 1: Project Planning and Governance

2.3.1.1

Engage with DMH in the development of a project work plan, timeline,

and communication plan in collaboration with DMH, CDD, VHSCO,

and AOE.

2.3.1.2

Establish a clear governance and decision-making structure that

supports cross-agency coordination and communication with

stakeholders.

2.3.2 SOW 2: Stakeholder Engagement

2.3.2.1 Design, review with the state team, and implement a stakeholder

engagement strategy.

2.3.2.2

Engage providers across the mixed-delivery system, including Head

Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) programs, family childcare, center-

based providers and mental health partners. Describe your proposed

approach for gathering input from consumers and families, including

whether participation would occur anonymously.

2.3.2.3 Document how stakeholder input informs analysis and framework

design.

2.3.3 SOW 3: Landscape Analysis of Existing Systems and Supports

2.3.3.1

Leverage existing state-commissioned analyses, reports, and data,

and conduct targeted additional data collection as needed, to complete

a comprehensive assessment of Vermont’s Infant, Early Childhood

and Family Mental Health (ECFMH) and Social Emotional Support

systems, with a primary focus on access to ECFMH Consultation and

Training across ECE settings.

2.3.3.2 Analysis will include at a minimum:

Revised: February 13, 2026

Page 4 of 14

• Current classroom-based guidance and consultation models being

used across the Vermont system, including existing HS/EHS

Mental Health Consultation Structures, training, coaching,

reflective supervision, and other workforce supports available.

• Clinical and sub-clinical resources supporting children and

families.

• Funding structures that support current services and supports.

2.3.3.3

Regional variation in access, service coordination, and workforce

capacity. Final analysis report will identify at a minimum the overall

strengths, gaps, redundancies, opportunities and barriers impacting

consistent access to supports statewide.

2.3.4 SOW 4: Review of Evidence-Based and Promising Practices

2.3.4.1

Review evidence-based and promising practices from other states and

national initiatives relevant to early childhood mental health

consultation and social emotional supports, including best practices

from HS/EHS mental health consultation models nationally, and other

relevant state and federal entities.

2.3.4.2

Identify approaches that align with Vermont priorities, relevant

performance standards, and inclusive early learning practices and

funding capacity/structures.

2.3.4.3 Assess the feasibility of a statewide training and consultation structure

grounded in the principle of unconditional childcare.

2.3.4.4 Assess applicability and scalability of identified practices within

Vermont’s mixed-delivery system.

2.3.4.5 Prepare written report and presentation with Vermont state team on

findings and recommendations.

2.3.5 SOW 5: Design of a Coordinated Statewide Framework

2.3.5.1

In partnership with the State team, develop a written coordinated,

statewide framework for an early childhood mental health consultation

and training system that:

• Promotes children’s social-emotional development, well-being,

and early relational health and supports responsive early learning

environments.

• Ensures consistent access to supports across program types,

regions, and funding streams.

• Ensures alignment with federal Head Start Program Performance

Standards related to mental health consultation, social-emotional

development, and comprehensive services.

Revised: February 13, 2026

Page 5 of 14

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 611430Professional and Management Development Training
• NAICS 621330Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)

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