HealthySteps August 2024 Expansion

The HealthySteps Expansion Request for Applications, released by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), aims to significantly expand the implementation of the evidence-based HealthySteps model across pediatric and family medicine practices throughout New York State. This grant initiative builds upon earlier rounds of OMH support that began in 2016 and has already led to the successful integration of HealthySteps in 97 practices. The new round of funding seeks to add up to 50 new sites, prioritizing areas with high poverty rates and those currently lacking a HealthySteps presence. The grant represents a key component of New York’s broader mental health strategy focused on prevention, early intervention, and holistic family health, especially targeting children ages 0–3 and their caregivers. HealthySteps is a dyadic, two-generation intervention that embeds a trained HealthySteps Specialist within primary care settings. These specialists—typically professionals with mental health or early childhood development backgrounds—provide developmental screenings, parenting guidance, mental health referrals, and other services that address both the medical and psychosocial needs of young children and their families. The model has demonstrated measurable benefits, including improved well-child visit attendance, increased developmental assessments, reduced emergency room visits, and enhanced parenting practices. OMH emphasizes that applicants must commit to core program requirements including supervision structures, data collection, and fidelity to the HealthySteps tiered service model. Eligible applicants must be pediatric or family medical practices located in New York State, with a minimum caseload of 100 children ages 0–3. Applications from practices that already operate HealthySteps under earlier OMH awards are only eligible if proposing a new, separate site. Small practices may apply in partnership, provided both belong to the same healthcare system and meet combined panel size criteria. Selected awardees will be required to hire a full-time HealthySteps Specialist and participate in training and technical assistance through the HealthySteps Virtual Institute. They must also agree to execute affiliation and licensing agreements with the HealthySteps National Office and adhere to OMH fidelity standards within three years. Funding is structured over five years, with a maximum of $433,000 per site. This includes dedicated funding for salaries, fringe benefits, training, and data systems. In addition to direct implementation funding, OMH offers a Program Development Grant for onboarding costs such as the Virtual Institute ($5,000–$25,000) and data infrastructure ($25,000). Smaller, partnering sites receive proportionally reduced awards. Up to 10% of the salary budget may be used for administrative costs. Continuation of funding past Year 1 is contingent upon program compliance, timely reporting, and data submissions, which will be used for both OMH evaluation and reporting to the HealthySteps National Office. Applications will be evaluated for completeness, eligibility, and alignment with programmatic priorities. Disqualifications may occur if a site is already listed in the HealthySteps directory or previously awarded under specific prior RFAs. The application deadline is November 5, 2024, at 1:00 PM EST, with award notifications expected by November 26, 2024. Contracts are set to begin on or after April 1, 2025, and will continue for five years. Prequalification through the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS) is mandatory for not-for-profit applicants. Questions regarding the RFA must be submitted by September 10, 2024, and responses will be posted by September 26, 2024. The program's broader goals include advancing trauma-informed care, reducing disparities, and supporting early childhood mental health through equitable, integrated, and evidence-driven primary care practices. OMH encourages applicants to align with the New York State Trauma-Informed Network and to embed cultural and linguistic competencies into service delivery. This grant opportunity stands out not only for its funding but for its structured emphasis on sustainability, data-driven decision-making, and statewide impact for vulnerable children and families.