San Diego County Ivalua #RFP 564

San Diego Relay: 24/7 Behavioral Health Peer Support Program for Emergency Departments

The County of San Diego, Department of Behavioral Health Services, is seeking a contractor to implement and operate the "San Diego Relay"—a 24/7 behavioral health peer support response program modeled after NYC Relay, focused on emergency departments (EDs) in the East and Central regions of San Diego County. - Government Buyer: - County of San Diego, Department of Behavioral Health Services (BHS), Department of Purchasing and Contracting - Program Scope: - Launch and operate a 24/7 peer support response system in at least three emergency departments (EDs) (East region, Central region, plus one additional COR-approved site) - Provide rapid peer deployment to EDs within 1–2 hours of referral - Maintain a 24/7 toll-free referral line for behavioral health peer support - Deliver overdose prevention education, distribute naloxone and fentanyl test strips, and ensure linkage to care for participants - Conduct post-discharge follow-up within 24–48 hours and provide up to 90 days of follow-up using the Critical Time Intervention (CTI) model - Collect, track, and report program data (quarterly, annual, and final reports) - Recruit and retain culturally and linguistically diverse staff; complete a Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Plan - Collaborate with hospitals and identify an ED Champion at each participating site - Products/Services Requested: - Naloxone (overdose reversal medication) and fentanyl test strips for distribution, inventory management, and reporting - Behavioral health peer support services delivered by certified peer specialists - Data collection, tracking, and reporting systems - Staffing: peer support specialists, clinical supervisors/program managers, data specialists - Needs assessments and long-term participant follow-up - Notable Requirements: - Minimum annual enrollment: 600 unduplicated participants; at least 550 initial ED interactions - Distribute naloxone and fentanyl test strips to at least 90% of engaged at-risk individuals - Adherence to harm reduction principles, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive service delivery - Develop policies/protocols within 90 days of contract execution; specific training timelines for staff - No OEMs or specific product manufacturers are named in the solicitation - Expansion potential to additional EDs as approved by the County - No funding for supportive housing, but linkage to existing resources is encouraged

Description

The County of San Diego is soliciting proposals for the San Diego Relay program, a 24/7 behavioral health peer support response system delivered by peer specialists. The program will launch with a minimum of three emergency departments in specified regions of San Diego County and aims to reduce unintentional overdose deaths through harm reduction principles and linkage-to-care services. The contractor will coordinate peer support responses, distribute naloxone and fentanyl test strips, provide data collection and reporting, and recruit culturally and linguistically diverse staff. The contract term is one year with four one-year options, starting approximately July 1, 2024.

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