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Kittitas County 1/10th of 1% Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Sales Tax RFP FAQ p.1
1/10th of 1% Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Funding
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the intent of this Request for Proposals (RFP)?
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is for new or expanded services and programs in Kittitas County to support
youth, veterans, the justice involved, and those at high risk of suicide. Projects should be innovative,
evidence-based, or promising in the areas of behavioral health disorders prevention, treatment, and
recovery—with a priority focus on prevention. Projects should produce a mix of short-term tangible results
and long-term systemic change.
What law governs the use of this sales tax?
RCW 82.14.460 Sales and use tax for chemical dependency or mental health treatment services or
therapeutic courts. (3) Moneys collected under this section must be used solely for the purpose of providing
for the operation or delivery of chemical dependency or mental health treatment programs and services and
for the operation or delivery of therapeutic court programs and services… Programs and services includes,
but is not limited to, treatment services, case management, transportation, and housing that are a
component of a coordinated chemical dependency or mental health treatment program or service. Every
county that authorizes the tax provided in this section shall, and every other county may, establish and
operate a therapeutic court component for dependency proceedings.
Who is eligible to receive funding?
Nonprofit organizations, tribes, government agencies, and private businesses offering relevant services in
Kittitas County, WA.
How much money is available?
For this funding cycle, approximately $2 million is available from the Kittitas County 1/10th of 1% Mental
Health and Chemical Dependency Sales Tax. The final amounts awarded will be decided by the Kittitas
County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Amounts available in future grant cycles will differ.
How long will the grants be for?
Grants are two-year grants.
How much will each grant be?
Applicants may request grants ranging from $20,000 to $400,000 for their two-year project.
How many applications may an agency submit?
For this first grant cycle, each agency may submit no more than one application. This will be re-evaluated in
subsequent grant cycles.
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Kittitas County 1/10th of 1% Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Sales Tax RFP FAQ p.2
Who is the contract agency?
Successful applicants will contract with Kittitas County. Invoicing and reporting will be administered by the
Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD).
What are the Funding Priority Areas for this RFP?
The Funding Priority Areas are youth, veterans, the justice involved, and those at high risk of suicide (see
definitions below).
What are the criteria to receive funding?
Successful projects will link to the Funding Priority Areas and meet the intent of the RFP stated above.
Applicants will have the ability to accomplish the following: leverage other resources through collaboration
with other community providers; collect, record, and report on all data related to service delivery and
performance measurement; and sustain basic levels of service after the grant period ends.
What are the requirements?
A completed application, along with a copy of the IRS Determination Letter (if a nonprofit organization),
must be submitted by 5 p.m. on October 9, 2023. Successful applicants will meet the intent of RCW
82.14.460 and the RFP intent stated above and be able to enter into a contract with Kittitas County.
How do I submit an application?
Applications are online through Qualtrics. The application portal can be found on the Kittitas County 1/10th
of 1% Board webpage: https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/boards/boards.aspx?board=alcohol-substance-abuse
When will applicants be notified of the results?
Applicants will be notified on or by December 6, 2023.
If awarded, can some of the money be used for administration?
Yes. Administrative costs are not to exceed 15% of the funds received.
What expenses are allowable?
As part of the application process, applicants will complete a budget template. Expenses must support the
project’s proposed scope of work outlined in the narrative questions. Allowable expenses include, but are
not limited to, salaries, wages, benefits, direct client services, promotion, outreach activities, professional
development, travel, equipment, and subcontracts.
Who is responsible for grant oversight?
The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) will help ensure that grantees are meeting their
deliverables and using funds appropriately.
What are the reporting requirements?
Successful applicants will provide quarterly reports to the Kittitas County Public Health Department and a
final report at the end of the contract detailing their use of funds, including number of people served and
whether they achieved the SMART goals and objectives that they outlined in their grant application. KCPHD
will share these reports with the 1/10th of 1% Board, the Kittitas County Board of Health (BOH), and BOCC.
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Kittitas County 1/10th of 1% Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Sales Tax RFP FAQ p.3
When and how will the money be disbursed?
Projects for this RFP cycle will begin January 2024 with the first invoice due for reimbursement by the 20th
of the following month. Funds are distributed via monthly reimbursement. Invoicing instructions will be
sent to successful applicants during the contracting process.
How and by whom are the applications scored?
The 1/10th of 1% Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Tax Advisory Board will score the applications
according to a scoring matrix. Each question carries a certain number of points (listed in the application).
The 1/10th of 1% Board will present a recommended funding slate to the BOH who will then give a
recommendation to the BOCC.
Who makes the final decision about who receives funding?
The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) decides based on recommendations from the
1/10th of 1% Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Tax Advisory Board and the BOH.
Who should write the two letters of support?
Letters should be written by people and/or agencies who have worked closely with the applicant in a
substantive capacity and should speak to the applicant’s ability to fulfill the proposed scope of work.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
Questions about the RFP must be emailed to the 1/10th of 1% Board Clerk at
behavioralhealth@co.kittitas.wa.us by 5 p.m. on September 11, 2023. Answers will be published by 5 p.m.
on September 18, 2023, on the 1/10th of 1% Board webpage.
How are you defining “youth”?
For the purposes of this RFP, youth are being defined as people ages 12-17. Definition citation: Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMSHA)
How are you defining “veterans”?
Veteran includes every person who has served in at least one of the following capacities as referenced in
RCW 73.08.005 Sec. 1 (5) and has not received a dishonorable discharge for said service. (a) As a member in
any branch of the armed forces of the United States (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force), including
the National Guard, Coast Guard and armed forces reserves, and has fulfilled his or her initial military
service obligation; (b) As a member of the women's air forces service pilots; (c) As a civil service
crewmember with service aboard a U.S. Army Transport Service or U.S. Naval Transportation Service vessel
in oceangoing service from December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946; (d) As a member of the
Philippine armed forces/scouts during the period of armed conflict from December 7, 1941, through August
15, 1945; or (e) A United States documented merchant mariner with service aboard an ocean going vessel
operated by the department of defense. Definition citation: KC Veterans’ Financial Assistance Manual
How are you defining “the justice involved”?
The justice involved are people involved in the criminal justice system, including people experiencing
incarceration and those on probation. Therapeutic treatment courts, such as drug or behavioral health
court, are specifically called out in RCW 82.14.460.
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Kittitas County 1/10th of 1% Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Sales Tax RFP FAQ p.4
How are you defining “those at high risk of suicide”?
• Older adults (75 years and older)
• American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons
• Persons 35-64 years of age
• Veterans
• LGBTQ+ youth
• The industry groups that had the highest suicide rates were:
o Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
o Construction
o Other Services (such as automotive repair)
o Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting
o Transportation and Warehousing
o Physicians, Dentists, Veterinarians
Definition citations: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health
How are you defining “behavioral health”?
Behavioral health encompasses traditional mental health and substance use disorders, as well as overall
psychological well-being. Behavioral health can be understood as the behaviors that affect physical and
mental health, and good behavioral health results in a state of mind characterized by emotional well-being,
good behavioral adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms, and a capacity to
establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stresses of life. Obtaining and
maintaining behavioral health requires flexibility, the ability to understand and manage emotions, engaging
in behaviors that are healthy for the body and the mind, awareness of one’s relationship to others and
recognition of one’s responses, and effectively employing strategies to deal with the demands of living.
Definition citations: American Psychological Association (APA), American Medical Association (AMA), and
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
How are you defining “prevention”?
Prevention promotes the health and safety of individuals and communities by reducing risk factors for
mental health conditions and substance use while increasing protective factors. It focuses on reducing the
likelihood of, delaying the onset of, or slowing the progression of or decreasing the severity of mental,
emotional, and behavioral (MEB) health disorders. Strategies include health promotion to build resilience
through the development of healthy coping skills. While prevention often targets a specific population, it
benefits everyone in a community. Definition citation: Ohio Prevention Services
How are you defining “treatment”?
Treatment for mental health and substance use disorders may include rehabilitation, medications, support
groups, talk therapy, peer support, crisis intervention, and therapeutic courts. Some common treatment
modalities specific to substance use disorders include: individual and/or group therapy; an educational
component to learn about the nature of addiction and relapse prevention; and behavior therapy such as
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Definition citations: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) and verywellmind.com
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Kittitas County 1/10th of 1% Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Sales Tax RFP FAQ p.5
How are you defining “recovery”?
Recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorder is a process of change through which
individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
There are 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery: Hope, Relational, Person-Driven, Culture, Many Pathways,
Addresses Trauma, Holistic, Strengths/Responsibilities, Peer Support, and Respect. Definition citation:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)