Accessing Mental and Behavioral Health Services for Young Children and Caregivers

Why is the William Penn Foundation (WPF) prioritizing this objective?

This objective was developed after extensive conversations with key stakeholders from the mental and behavioral health sector. We heard the need for increased resources to support culturally responsive and trauma-informed services; streamlined service intake and eligibility processes; reduced wait times for screening and intervention; increased workforce recruitment and retention; and embedding mental health services within existing family serving community-based organizations. 

This RFP seeks to address these challenges by funding projects that will increase access for families with young children (prenatal to age 8), who are in need of mental and behavioral health services. 

According to the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), mental and behavioral health services are a continuum of prevention, assessment, treatment, and support practices that promote emotional well-being, address mental health conditions, and encourage healthy behaviors across the lifespan. We know that, in many cases, the terms mental and behavioral health are used interchangeably. We encourage applicants to determine which of these terms best describes the work that is being proposed. For the purpose of this RFP, we will use MBH to refer to Mental and Behavioral Health services.

What types of projects will get funded?

The Foundation recognizes that there are many ways that organizations and communities can contribute to increasing access to MBH services for Philadelphia’s young children and their caregivers.

For this RFP, we will consider proposals that focus on:

• Provision of MBH services that are not currently available to a defined group of intended beneficiaries,
• Expanding the number of licensed professionals prepared to implement culturally and linguistically relevant care where it is most needed, and/or
• Policy or system changes that will increase the availability of MBH services for young children in Philadelphia.

All work must be clearly designed for the primary benefit of young children and their caregivers living in Philadelphia. Projects must focus on expanding access for families with low incomes, people of color, and/or families whose primary language is not English. Projects should provide robust evidence of need for the population or geography the proposal is intended to serve.

Organizations may choose a small geographic focus or may seek to make change on a citywide scale.

What has to be in my proposal?

We are requesting proposals for up to three years of funding. Proposals for funding through this RFP must include activities that do at least one of the following:

1. Increase the number of licensed MBH providers serving young children who participate in Medical Assistance (Medicaid).
2. Increase the number of culturally and linguistically competent professionals serving in community-based settings.
3. Expand the reach of MBH services for young children in geographic areas of the city with the greatest need. Priority will be given to proposals that provide robust evidence of why services are needed for intended populations or geographies.
4. Advocate for policies that increase access to MBH services for families with young children (prenatal to age 8).

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

1. Physical health services such as well child and adult exams or treatment.
2. Services currently covered through Medicaid’s Behavioral Health Choices program.
3. Drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
4. Services to children and families covered under Pennsylvania’s Early Intervention program.
5. Capital projects/facility improvements.
6. Projects that do not have established evidence of implementation and impact (i.e., no pilot programs or studies to establish efficacy or effectiveness will be funded).

If you are proposing to expand the reach of services, you must have a strong track record implementing MBH services for families with children within the prenatal-8-year-old age range.

You may apply to expand implementation of currently offered programming or you may apply to offer a new service if you have clear evidence of client need/demand, a strong evidence base for the program, a clear and feasible plan to implement the work, and a solid justification for anticipated outcomes.

Organizations that propose projects in partnership with other applicants will be considered on their individual merits. However, the Foundation recognizes that the work necessary to make significant progress on the objective will be complex and encourages organizations to include partnerships that leverage complementary strengths, resources, and expertise.

All proposals that meet the criteria described on pages 7 and 8 of the RFP packet are encouraged. After reviewing proposals, WPF will conduct site visits and gather additional information from a limited number of organizations.

How much money is available?

There is no minimum or maximum amount of funding that organizations may request. However, grant requests under $800,000 will be most competitive. The grant amount requested should be commensurate with the contribution that the project will make to the overall objective.

WPF has allocated $4 million to advance this objective through this RFP. At least $1 million of the total amount awarded under this RFP will be reserved for grants to organizations that have budgets under $2 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 insights, budget, and link to an application template.

All applications must be submitted through the Grants Portal.

Webinar

Interested organizations are invited to participate in an optional informational webinar on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 1:00PM ET.

Following the live webinar, a recording will be posted to this page.

Register for the Webinar