Accessing Mental Health Services for Young Children and Caregivers

Background

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) refers to mental health as our “emotional, psychological, and social well-being.” It affects how we think, feel, and act. Some mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD can begin in early childhood. Mental health services for caregivers and their children during early childhood can help support strong parent/child relationships, promote positive parenting practices, and help children learn to manage symptoms that may present barriers in social and educational settings.

Children in Philadelphia who reside in communities that are heavily impacted by poverty often endure a high rate of adverse-childhood experiences (ACEs) – witnessing violence, abuse, neglect – which can have negative, lasting effects on health and well-being. According to the 2017 Place Matters report designed by the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), mental health risk index scores for 85% of Philadelphia zip codes were above the national average for need.  

According to the Zero To Three Think Babies Campaign, early treatment of mental health concerns can help prevent more serious mental health disorders in adulthood. Lack of culturally and linguistically competent staff, workforce shortages, long waitlists, and services that are inaccessible to local neighborhoods make it difficult or impossible for children and their caregivers to access mental health services.

Opportunity Overview

The William Penn Foundation (WPF) seeks to support efforts that increase access to mental health services for caregivers and young children in Philadelphia. Funding will be limited to projects that will positively impact families with young children, ages 0-5, who have traditionally faced barriers to service for reasons including, but not limited to limited income, insufficient availability of treatment, inaccessible treatment sites, cultural and/or linguistic barriers, immigration status, and limited awareness of existing services.

Proposals must include activities that do at least one of the following:

1. Increase the number of licensed mental health providers serving young children who participate in Medical Assistance (Medicaid).
2. Increase the number of culturally and linguistically competent mental health professionals serving in community-based settings.
3. Expand the reach of existing comprehensive mental health services for young children in geographic areas of the city with the greatest need. Special consideration will be given to proposals that address service needs in Philadelphia’s top ten “high risk” zip codes, according to the Risk Index published in the 2017 DBHIDS Place Matters report: 19120, 19121, 19122, 19124, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19139, 19140, 19142.
4. Advocate for policies that increase access to mental health services for families with young children.

Please note, under this RFP, the Foundation will not consider proposals to support the following:

• Physical health services such as well child and adult exams or treatment.
• Services currently covered through Medicaid’s Behavioral Health Choices program including drug and alcohol treatment.
• Services to children and families covered under Pennsylvania’s Early Intervention program.

We are requesting proposals for up to three years of funding. After reviewing proposals, WPF will conduct site visits and gather additional information from a limited number of organizations.

Organizations that propose projects in partnership with other applicants will be considered on their individual merits. However, the Foundation recognizes that making significant progress on the objective is difficult and encourages organizations to include partnerships that leverage complementary strengths, resources, and expertise to reach proposed goals.

Furthermore, the Foundation recognizes that there are many different tactics or approaches that could be used to advance the objective. All proposals that meet the review criteria described in the full RFP are encouraged.

WPF has $3.5 million available to advance this objective at this time. The maximum amount of funding that organizations may request for direct expenses is $600,000 over three years. (This does not include the overhead amount that will be added to project budgets, based on a formula described on the “How to Apply” section of our website).

At least $1 million of the total amount awarded under this RFP will be reserved for grants to organizations that have budgets under $5 million per year and/or are led by individuals who are members of groups with a history of discrimination or exclusion.

Full Request for Proposals (RFP) and Application 

Download the full RFP packet for more information about this opportunity including eligibility, review criteria, learning and evaluation, budget, and link to an application template.

All applications must be submitted through the Grants Portal.

Webinar

An informational webinar took place on September 24, 2024: