Scope of Work
Integrated Services for Behavioral Health, a large Ohio-based nonprofit community mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and housing provider, is seeking a highly qualified, full-service government relations firm with expertise in local, state and federal advocacy, particularly within the Medicaid, child and family services, community health centers, and housing sectors. The ideal firm will have a proven ability to represent large, complex organizations in the mental health, substance use disorder treatment and community health center space. We are looking for a partner who can effectively navigate legislative and regulatory challenges, protect and advance our core business interests, and identify strategic opportunities for growth. The firm must be adept at monitoring, interpreting, and influencing policy changes that directly impact our operations, as well as identifying potential risks or threats in both the regulatory and legislative landscapes. Both state and federal expertise in these areas is preferred.

As a respected provider across the region, our organization has well-established relationships with many local stakeholders; therefore, local engagement and relationship building is not primary. Rather, we require a firm that can elevate our strategic positioning and interests across the state and nationally, amplify our voice, and advocate policies that align with our mission and objectives. The successful firm should be skilled in leveraging the internal expertise of our team members, as well as our existing relationships, for maximum impact. The firm must possess, or be willing to develop, knowledge of the issues affecting mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and related service delivery, with the ability to anticipate legislative developments and provide actionable, timely recommendations.

Above all, we are seeking strategic, knowledgeable, and trustworthy partners who share our dedication to building healthy, thriving communities and who can help us elevate our mission of providing exceptional care through connection.

Scope of Work:

• Monitor and analyze state and federal legislative and regulatory developments affecting mental health, substance use disorder treatment, Medicaid, community health centers, child and family services, and housing.
• Engage with key legislative and regulatory stakeholders to advocate for policy positions that protect and promote our core business interests. Facilitate relationships between ISBH team members and relevant stakeholders. When appropriate, prepare written testimony, position statements, or other materials to support stakeholder engagement.
• Help us elevate rural and regional advocacy priorities by identifying and executing opportunities to convene networks of providers and like-minded stakeholders, to advance shared policies and encourage rural/regional investment.
• Conduct a minimum of two assessments per year to evaluate progress and ensure the delivery of concrete outcomes aligned with ISBH’s objectives.
• Through regularly scheduled meetings and written communication:
  • Learn from the ISBH team about pain points and strengths
  • Provide regular reports and recommendations on legislative, funding and regulatory risks, opportunities, and emerging trends, including actionable insights for internal leadership
  • Align with ISBH team on mission critical priorities
• Work in collaboration with the ISBH team to identify opportunities for enhanced state and federal funding that aligns with strategic priorities.

1. • Advise ISBH on how to effectively access available funding sources.

Requirements
The successful firm will be required to demonstrate:

• Proven experience and expertise in state and federal lobbying and government relations, particularly within the community health, Medicaid, child and family services, housing, and behavioral health sectors.
• A track record of successfully representing large, complex nonprofit organizations.
• Strong relationships with key legislative and regulatory stakeholders at the state and federal levels.
• The ability to provide regular, actionable insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Experience navigating the intricacies of Medicaid and healthcare policy, as well as other relevant funding mechanisms.

Submission Requirements
Interested firms should submit a proposal that includes the following:

• An overview of the firm’s qualifications, including relevant experience and expertise.
• Detailed information on the firm’s capabilities in state and federal advocacy, particularly within the relevant sectors.
• Case studies or examples of similar projects where the firm successfully represented organizations in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, or housing policy.
• A proposed approach to fulfilling the Scope of Work outlined above, including timelines and key deliverables.
• A list of key personnel who will be involved in the project, along with their relevant qualifications and experience.
• Two references from former/current clients (contact information is sufficient)
• A proposed fee structure and terms of engagement.

Proposal Submission Deadline
Proposals must be submitted by Friday, August 5.

Submit proposals and questions to Rose Frech at rfrech@isbh.org