Federal Register: November 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 227)NoticesPage 66500-66502From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr26no99-100

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections

Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement

AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement.

SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Corrections (NIC), announces the availability of funds in FY 2000 for a cooperative agreement to fund the project ``Effective Prison Mental Health Services''. NIC will award a one year cooperative agreement to: develop a handbook or manual that will provide information to state correctional agencies in identifying current practices, policies, and procedures and their impact on offenders with mental health disorders.

A cooperative agreement is a form of assistance relationship where the National Institute of Corrections is substantially involved during the performance of the award. An award is made to an organization that will, in concert with the Institute, identify the ``effective practices and intervention'' regarding the care and management of offenders with mental health problems.

Background

According to recent estimates, nearly 95,000 (12.5%) of all prison inmates have significant psychiatric problems, problems requiring intermittent care, and 54,000 (7%) have serious mental health problems. Research indicates persons displaying the signs and symptoms of mental disorders are more likely to be arrested than members of the general public, and more likely to be incarcerated for violent offenses compared to the rest of the inmate population. The prevalence of offenders with a mental disorder among correctional populations presents enormous challenges to correctional personnel. Limited availability of in prison treatment programs, coupled with the lack of community resources, enhance the likelihood that their mental disorders may cause them to recidivate, often returning with a worst condition. There is a paucity of information about in-prison mental health programs and services, transition and community mental health services for released offenders, and effective linkages between prison systems and state and local mental health systems/departments.

[Page 66501]Purpose

To document and make available to correctional practitioners and state mental health providers the current knowledge on effective mental health services and interventions for mentally ill offenders in prisons.

Objectives:

1. To develop a publication that addresses the effective management and care, treatment modalities, their effectiveness, and innovative approaches for offenders with mental health needs; and

2. To develop a consistent operational definition of an offender with mental health needs.

NIC considers it important for the applicant to discuss how the following questions or other criteria identified by the applicant would be employed for documenting effective prison mental health services and interventions:

<bullet> Are there explicit models or research evidence of how the mental health services or interventions are supposed to work within prisons?

<bullet> Is there information or substantiation that mental health services and interventions employs methods which have been consistently effective with mentally ill offenders in prison?

<bullet> Are the services or interventions delivered in ways which engage the mentally ill offender in active participation--e.g., responsivity?

<bullet> Are the services or intervention(s) rigorously managed and designed?

<bullet> Do the mental health services support the principle of continuum of care--e.g., screening, assessment for diagnosis and risk, treatment planning, range of interventions, transitional care from prison to the community, relapse prevention and intervention, and linkages to appropriate community mental health and other support services?

<bullet> What evidence or information is available that services or interventions are delivered and overseen by qualified professionals consistent with generally accepted protocols--i.e., valid assessment and screening tools, treatment interventions matched to the level of the offender need, case management strategies, treatment providers who are licensed and meet specific standards, etc.?

<bullet> What research efforts have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of the intervention being reviewed by the project?

Project Scope

The project's strategy or design should address the following areas:

--Screening and assessment --Intervention techniques --Community and aftercare linkages --Treatment approaches --Case management --Relapse Prevention or Intervention --Planning --Transitional services --Staff Training --Peer Support --Alternative Sanctions --Instruments to assess, develop or identify treatment programs --Individualized Treatment approaches --Cultural competency --Gender based treatment --Monitoring, evaluating program integrity.

The successful applicant would be required to: (1) Use some portion of the funds to collaborate with other correctional and mental health professionals (experts) to review the current state of mental health programs in corrections; (2) Develop an understanding of the types of behavior which indicate mental health needs and develop a consistent operational definition of an offender with a mental disorder; (3) Identify sample programs, addressing relevant standards and legal issues; (4) Develop a document for practitioners that presents guidelines and criteria for successful mental health programs specific incarcerated populations, including youthful offenders, women offenders, segregation, and general populations; (5) Fully discuss how in-prison mental health programs can assist in public protection and the more effective use of community resources, and; (6) Provide an instrument to be used to assess effective in-prison mental health programs. --In consultation with NIC prepare and edit a final camera-ready copy of the document for NIC publication in accordance with the NIC Preparation of Printed Materials for Publication. Submit the final product in hard copy and Word Perfect format.

Application Requirement

The applicant must provide goals, objectives, and methods of implementation for the project that are consistent with the announcement. Objectives should be clear, measurable, attainable, and focused on the methods used to conduct the project. Applicant should provide an implementation plan for the project and include a schedule which will demonstrate milestones for significant tasks in chart form. The project will be initiated in early 2000 and is to be completed in early 2001.

Authority

Public Law 93-415.

Funds Available

The award will be limited to a maximum of $150,000 (direct and indirect costs). Funds may only be used for the activities that are linked to the desired outcome of the project. No funds are transferred to state or local governments. This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons Division.

Deadline for Receipt of Applications

Applications must be received by 4:00 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 21, 1999. Applications mailed or express delivery should be sent to: National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, Washington, DC 20534, Attn: Director. Hand delivered applications can be brought to 500 First Street, NW, Washington, DC 20534. The front desk will call Bobbi Tinsley (307-3106 and press 0) to come to the desk for pickup.

Addresses and Further Information

Requests for the application kit should be directed to Judy Evens, Cooperative Agreement Control Office, National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, Washington, DC 20534 or by calling (800) 995-6423, extension 159 or (202) 307-3106, extension 159. She can also be contacted by E-mail via jevens@bop.gov. All technical and or programmatic questions concerning this announcement should be directed to Madeline M. Ortiz at the above address or by calling (800) 995-6423, extension 141 or (202) 307-1300, extension 141, or by E-mail via mmortiz@bop.gov. A copy of this announcement and application forms may also be obtained through the NIC web site: http:/ /www.nicic.org (click on ``What's New'' and ``Cooperative Agreements'').

Eligible Applicants

An eligible applicant is any state or general unit of local government, private agency, educational institution, organization, or individual with expertise in correctional mental health services.

Review Considerations

Applications received under this announcement will be subjected to an NIC 3 to 5 member Peer Review Process.

Number of Awards

One (1).

NIC Application Number

00P10 This number should appear as a reference line in the cover letter and also in box 11 of Standard Form 424.

[Page 66502]Executive Order 12372

This program is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372. Executive Order 12372 allows States the option of setting up a system for reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under certain Federal programs. Applicants (other than Federally- recognized Indian tribal governments) should contact their State Single Point of Contract (SPOC), a list of which is included in the application Kit, along with further instructions on proposed projects serving more than one State.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 16.603.

Dated: November 18, 1999. Larry Solomon, Acting Director, National Institute of Corrections.

FR Doc. 99-30770Filed11-24-99; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 4410-36-M