Request for Proposals: Training and Implementation of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Integrated Care Settings

The Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center (BHWC) is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for agencies/clinics providing integrated primary and behavioral health care services to apply for funding for staff training and implementation of an evidence-based brief psychotherapy.

Successful applicants will receive funding to cover the costs of expert-led trainings and staff time to train behavioral health providers in the skills and techniques of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). SFBT is a strengths-based and client-centered approach that can be flexibly applied in the brief and short-term services typical of behavioral health within integrated care.  The present round of the initiative will include full implementation of the solution-focused learning collaborative that was previously piloted and will offer a new way of supporting local champions of SFBT.

Please note that agencies that have previously received funding for SFBT training through the BHWC are welcome to apply again for this round of funding.  Applications should identify new providers who will attend 2 days of basic SFBT trainings and participate in an 8-session learning collaborative meeting twice per month. Applications may also identify previously trained providers who will receive the learning collaborative only as well as up to 2 eligible clinical supervisor or similar level staff who are interested in becoming certified in SFBT and serving as a local champion and expert on SFBT for their agency. With the exception of champions, staff time for participation in the training and learning collaborative will be covered by funds in the initiative to account for time spent away from reimbursable client activities. SFBT training will be provided at no cost to agencies through direct payment from BHWC to the training provider. All training and learning collaborative sessions will be conducted online via Zoom.

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. CT on February 5, 2026. An optional information session will be held at 2 PM on January 8, 2026 using the following  link .

Who is eligible?

• Integrated Care (IC) agencies or clinics located in the state of Illinois

What is provided?

• Free basic SFBT training and funding to cover staff time up to $1,625 per provider 
• 8 biweekly solution-focused learning collaborative sessions and funding to cover staff time up to $1,000 per provider
• Logistical support to schedule seats in live virtual online trainings through the BHWC-selected SFBT training provider
• Funding for training costs only (no staff time) for up to 2 clinical champions per agency to become fully certified in SFBT

What is required to apply?

• An application up to 8 pages in length due Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 (See guidelines)
• A list of providers who will receive SFBT training through the initiative who are willing to participate in the biweekly learning collaborative component
• Identification of up to 2 clinical champions (if applicable) and description of their qualifications + a 1 page personal statement from each champion (See guidelines)
• Draft budget and brief budget justification narrative using the provided Excel calculator and budget template

Questions? Please contact Adriana Scurto at ascurto@uic.edu and Ray Eads at rayeads@uic.edu.

Please distribute to other sites that may be interested. Thank you for considering this opportunity.