SEMHSP | Mental Health Services | Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, community providers, hospital systems, and health systems. This funding is to be used to establish a mental health center for the communities of Kenwood, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, and South Shore, known as the “Southeast Service Area”. The mental health center can be an entirely new venture or an additional location for an existing organization. Applicants must be licensed professionals who are able to furnish treatment services in Illinois or must have a hiring plan for licensed professionals who are able to furnish treatment services in Illinois.

When is the due date for this proposal?

The proposal is due on June 1st, 2026. Proposals can be submitted any time before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on June 1st. Click here for submission instructions.
No proposals will be accepted after this deadline and incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

When will I hear back?

The anticipated contract award date is August 2026 so decisions will likely be communicated around that time.

What is the timeline for this funding / when does it expire?

The initial term of the Program Agreement will expire two years after the "Go-Live Date", which is expected to be 3-6 months after the contract award. The agreement can then be extended by mutual written agreement based on performance of the service provider.

What is the expected annual budget?

The estimated annual funding available from the referendum is approximately $552,500 per year.

What is the service provider expected to provide?

The selected provider will establish and operate a community mental health services center in the Southeast Service Area, offering mental health treatment, and may offer other mental health related resources such as outreach, testing and assessment, case management, and community-based interventions. Further description of services can be found in the RFP, but applicants are encouraged to propose services that will be offered based on the needs assessment.

Is this the first or only program of its kind in Chicago?

No, this is the sixth Community Expanded Mental Health Services Program created under the Community Expanded Mental Health Services Act, and more programs have been approved in past November elections.

How did this opportunity become available?

This program was created through a binding referendum passed on November 8, 2022, where 93.50% of voters in the Southeast Service Area Communities approved the initiative.

Can I submit a proposal before the deadline?

Yes. Proposals may be submitted to [email protected] or through our website on the Submit A Proposal page found HERE.

Are letters of support or community partnerships required for the application?

The proposal should include a section on planned and current community partnerships, including relationships with community groups, schools, and organizations. Letters of support are not required.

How should the proposal be formatted? What should be included?

Please see RFP page 7, Section X (“Proposal Instructions”) for information about formatting and what should be included.

Will there be an opportunity for applicants to ask questions before the deadline?

Yes, requests for clarification and questions can be submitted to [email protected].
Please understand that questions may need to be reviewed by relevant experts, and it may take time for answers to be posted. For that reason, we encourage submission of questions at least 2 weeks before the deadline of June 1, 2026.
Answers to all questions will be posted publicly to this page.

Can providers use funding for administrative costs, and is there a cap on those expenses?

Yes, the funding can be used for administrative costs. The budget must include a description of administrative and clinical staff salaries, but no specific cap on administrative costs is prescribed.

Is there a required staffing structure, and what qualifications are expected for key personnel?

No, respondent(s) are encouraged to propose a staffing structure based on their expertise and proposed services. Instructions for the formatting of the staffing plan can be found in the RFP on page 8, Section X Subsection D (“Program Services and Staffing Proposal”). You may also want to review page 27, No. 5, Provider Administrative and Clinical Staffing.

Will the provider be required to operate out of a specific location?

The Commission will lease or purchase a site for the provider within the Southeast Service Area. Providers are encouraged to estimate yearly rent in their budget narrative, described in the RFP on page 10, Section X, Subsection i. (“Budget and Narrative”), based on the space needed to conduct the services projected in their proposal.

Can the provider propose a site?

No, the provider cannot propose a site.

Is telehealth an acceptable service delivery method to be included as part of the overall program services?

Yes, according to the RFP (pg. 7, Section IX, Subsection d.) and relevant statutes (405 ILCS 22/10), “Respondent(s) should utilize a variety of mental health services and treatment alternatives to develop their program services proposal. Providers must also detail how they will offer remote technology services such as teletherapy and other telehealth options.”

Are there opportunities to partner with other applicants?

Multiple agencies/providers are able to collaborate on a single application. For example community based agencies, private practices, hospitals, schools etc.

Can the commission connect organizations who have expressed interest in collaborating with others on a single application?

No, the commission cannot connect organizations that have expressed interest, but encourage organizations to do their own outreach for potential partners.

Can the commission provide assistance in completing the RFP?

No, the commission can only respond to questions through the FAQs. Please submit any questions to [email protected].

Can we resubmit with additional documentation since the deadline has been extended to June 1, 2026?

Yes, since the deadline has been extended, you can resubmit your proposal with additional documentation.

If proposals are submitted prior to deadline and I want to rescind the proposal and resubmit an updated one, is that allowed?

Yes, as long as it’s done prior to the deadline. An email needs to be sent to [email protected] rescinding the old proposal. Then the new or updated proposal can be submitted through the website or be sent to [email protected]