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Discussion on mental health clubhouses funding and concerns
2:09:37
ยท
3 min
Council Member Linda Lee engages in a detailed discussion with DOHMH officials about mental health clubhouses, focusing on funding, recent RFPs, and concerns about smaller clubhouses that didn't meet the threshold for funding.
- DOHMH reaffirms commitment to the clubhouse model, with 11 of 12 clubhouses active from recent RFP
- $30 million in funding awarded through the RFP process
- Lee expresses concerns about five smaller clubhouses that didn't meet the annual membership threshold
- Discussion on potential for new RFPs or alternative models to support smaller clubhouses
- DOHMH expects about 6,600 members to be enrolled in clubhouses by July 2027
- Lee suggests exploring subcontracting or hub-and-spoke models to support smaller clubhouses
Linda Lee
2:09:37
I'm gonna switch over to clubhouses, and I know that council member Brewer also asked questions about this.
2:09:43
And by the way, I can attest to the fact and was a witness of her expletives that came out of her mouth when she came out to Queens to visit.
2:09:51
But yes, the clubhouses are obviously in the spectrum and continuum of care that we're talking about when it comes to mental health is super, super critical and important.
2:10:01
Is there a chance that, and I think I know the answer to this and I'll ask a follow-up, but is there a chance that the current contracting with the larger clubhouses that there's room for amendment to those?
Michelle Morse
2:10:14
Thank you for the question, Chair Lee.
2:10:17
We again remain very committed to the clubhouse model and have seen great impact from it.
2:10:22
We're glad that 11 of the 12 clubhouses are in action for the RFP that we recently issued.
2:10:30
That was the first time that that RFP had been issued since the nineteen ninety's.
2:10:34
So we do think it was a good step forward actually to address any issues with service delivery to reissue that RFP.
2:10:44
In terms of amendments to the RFP, the RFP is closed, and all the funds have been awarded, and the contracts have been signed with those 11 clubhouses.
Linda Lee
2:10:55
Okay, and if the scope of work slightly were to change, there's no reason why a new RFP that does include some of the smaller clubhouses would not be able to happen, correct?
Michelle Morse
2:11:06
We'd be happy to follow-up with you to have a conversation about that, but at this time, we do feel that the RFP that we issued was very comprehensive.
2:11:14
It was $30,000,000 in funding.
2:11:17
We're glad that those $30,000,000 are getting out to the 12 clubhouses, and we expect even more New Yorkers to be able to access clubhouse services because of this new RFP and our increased investment in clubhouses.
Linda Lee
2:11:32
Okay and I'm sure obviously as you know that you know it's not a one size fits all which I think is some of the concern that the community members have especially the five Shelton Lofts, Job Connection Center, Life Links, Rainbow Club and Top Clubhouses.
2:11:47
I just wanted to mention that those are part of the five that did not meet the threshold of the numbers in terms of the annual membership.
2:11:57
And so I just wanna make sure I mean, what is are what is DOHMH doing then to make sure that in the future moving forward that they're going to be able to receive the resources that they need?
Michelle Morse
2:12:09
I do acknowledge that those are clubhouses that have been providing services for some time so I do understand your concern.
2:12:17
From our perspective, again, the RFP with increased investment, $30,000,000, has been closed out.
2:12:25
And all of the contracts have been awarded, and the dollars have been awarded to the clubhouses.
2:12:31
So I do understand your concern about the smaller clubhouses.
2:12:36
However, we feel that again this new RFP is the best path forward to make sure New Yorkers have more access to clubhouse services.
Linda Lee
2:12:44
Okay, subcontracting, hub and spoke, those kind of models.
2:12:49
I know that I had previous conversations but just want to emphasize that I still would love to look into those options as well.
2:12:56
And then according to OCMH's annual report, 10 of the DOHMH funded clubhouses are currently open while three will open soon if I'm understanding this correctly.
2:13:06
And so which clubhouses are not open yet and why was their opening delayed?
Michelle Morse
2:13:10
Apologies, the numbers that I have clubhouses are up and running, including seven that were previously established.
2:13:19
Our expectation is that we'll have about 6,600 members enrolled by July of twenty twenty seven.