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. Half of the providers participating in the training and implementation initiative will be randomly assigned to receive additional funding for staff time for their participation in a solution-focused learning collaborative component consisting of biweekly virtual sessions with an expert faculty and other providers in the initiative to further support their learning and implementation of SFBT in integrated care.

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 specify a list of providers who conduct behavioral health sessions in an integrated care settings who will receive SFBT training and whether each provider has previously received the 2-day SFBT Basics course offered through the BHWC. Preference will be given to new providers who will receive the 2-day Basics course, but providers who have previously received training may be offered an advanced SFBT course depending on funding levels available. Funding maximums for staff time will be $3,000 per provider for new providers and $2,188 for previously trained providers (including $1,000 contingent on random assignment to the learning collaborative component). 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 January 21, 2025.

Who is eligible?

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

What is provided?

• Free SFBT training and funding to cover staff time up to $3,000 per provider.
• Logistical support to schedule seats in live virtual online trainings through the BHWC-selected SFBT training provider.
• Solution-focused learning collaborative sessions for approximately half of the providers participating in the initiative.

What is required to apply?

• An application up to 8 pages in length due by 1/21/2025. See attached guidelines.
• A list of providers who will receive SFBT training through the initiative who are willing to participate in the biweekly learning collaborative component (if assigned).

Questions? Please contact Adriana Scurto, Visiting Research Specialist, BHWC-UIC, at ascurto@uic.edu.