Disaster Mental Health Preparedness Training Program

Introduction

The New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) seeks letters of interest from a New York State authorized degree granting institution to develop curriculum, provide training and implement project operations for a Disaster Mental Health Preparedness Training (DMHPT) Program to help improve and streamline coordinated support efforts for survivors and their communities in the aftermath of a mass violence incident.

This training program will complement the development and mobilization of a new statewide Mass Violence Crisis Response Team (MVCRT) made up of, but not limited to, State agencies, crime victim service providers, emergency management support staff, and mental health practitioners. Eligible academic institutions MUST have direct experience providing training to these populations and a proven expertise in the field of disaster mental health services. 

OVS seeks letters of interest to provide services detailed herein for an anticipated project period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. 

Background

Mass violence incidents, including the 2022 Tops supermarket shooting in Buffalo, have exposed gaps in New York State’s ability to provide immediate support to victims and survivors. Delays in emergency funding, limited access to mental health services, and inadequate resources for basic needs have highlighted the need for a more effective response.

Due to the unique nature of these types of victimization, it is critical that OVS staff, direct service provider staff, and key crisis response stakeholders are equipped to provide basic and effective psychosocial support to victims, while also attending to their own self-care that will enable them to handle the professional stressors of assisting crime victims. The unique needs of crime victims require special, disaster mental health and trauma-informed care training for staff to understand and practice how to work with and assist trauma survivors. Even when practical needs are being attended to, the psychological reactions to trauma can delay recovery and impede the resumption of normal functioning.

DMHPT will provide attendees without advanced mental health training the ability to learn to provide basic psychosocial support, such as Psychological First Aid, while also learning self-care skills that will enable them to handle their own professional stressors.

The primary goal of DMHPT program will be to ensure rapid, coordinated support for survivors and their communities while addressing immediate needs in the aftermath of such events.  

To meet this goal, OVS is seeking an academic institution who can plan, facilitate, and deliver the following:  

• 3 annual (9 over the life of the contract) in-person, multi-day, basic-level DMHPT for up to 40 individuals (Note: During years 2-3 of the contract, one or more of the basic-level DMHPT may be serve as a refresher course for previous individuals who have completed the basic-level course);
• 1 annual (3 over the life of the contract) in-person, multi-day, advanced-level DMHPT for up to 25 individuals; and
• 1 annual (3 over the life of the contract) in-person, multi-day, large-scale, scenario-based DMHPT for up to 100 individuals (Note: This simulation training shall be conducted in a series of realistic training venues and must adhere to trauma-informed training best practices).

The institution will also be tasked with providing logistical support for the development of MVCRT. OVS will assist with limited on-site logistical support for all trainings and stakeholder engagement meetings and will help facilitate all training announcements and training registration.

Funding & Project Period

OVS seeks letters of interest proposals to provide services detailed herein for anticipated funding totaling no more than $500,000.00 for one contract with a term of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. Please note, this solicitation of interest is not an offer for a contract. Funding is contingent on federal approvals and contracts are subject to approval by the Attorney General and State Comptroller.

Submission Guidelines:

To indicate interest in and eligibility to provide these services, please email training@ovs.ny.gov by May 1, 2025. To be considered for this project, submissions must include the following:

• A letter of interest and detailed work plan that clearly states any prior experience providing services detailed herein and the responding institution’s capacity to administer DMHPT Project during the period defined in this solicitation (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2028).
  See Work Plan Sample for guidance; and
• An itemized budget (not to exceed $500,00.00) for coordination, development, and delivery of a minimum of 18 DMHAT events plus additional supplemental logistical support, including estimated travel costs, supplies and material costs, and any indirect cost rates.
  See Itemized Budget Sample for guidance.

All prospective intuitions are encouraged to reach out to OVS at training@ovs.ny.gov with any questions.