Salish Kootenai College (SKC)
Request for Proposals (RFP): Behavioral Health Services
Introduction
Salish Kootenai College (SKC) is seeking qualified behavioral health professionals or agencies to provide on-campus mental health services for students. These services are intended to support student well-being, retention, and academic success through accessible, culturally responsive, and confidential care.
Over the past several years, SKC has transitioned to a model that provides free mental health services for students and their families, as well as secondary support services for employees and their families. These services are designed to provide wraparound support that reduces stress and promotes overall success across the campus community. Historically, SKC has supported these services through grant funding and continues to pursue additional funding opportunities to expand prevention, education, and training efforts. As these services have become a more permanent component of campus support, SKC is seeking to establish a stable, consistent, and efficient behavioral health service model that ensures continuity of care and avoids frequent disruptions in service delivery.
As a Tribal College located on the Flathead Indian Reservation, SKC is deeply rooted in the values, cultures, and traditions of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The College is committed to providing services that honor Indigenous knowledge, community connection, and holistic approaches to wellness.
SKC serves a diverse student population, including over fifty tribal groups, many non-traditional students, student parents, and multigenerational families. The selected provider must demonstrate the ability to deliver culturally responsive, trauma-informed care, including experience supporting students impacted by grief, loss, and complex life stressors.
Scope of Work
The selected contractor (individual or agency) will provide full-time behavioral health services on the SKC campus. Services may include:
● Individual counseling and mental health support for students
● Crisis intervention and response
● Collaboration with campus departments (CPW, Housing, Disabilities Coordinator, TRIO, etc.)
● Participation in prevention and outreach efforts as appropriate
● Provide professional development and consultation for staff and faculty, along with educational workshops, prevention programming, and mental health awareness activities for students, in coordination with the Center for Prevention & Wellness
● Timely and accurate documentation in accordance with professional standards
● Provide trauma-informed counseling services, including support for grief, loss, and crisis-related experiences
● In-person services are required. Limited virtual sessions may be utilized as appropriate to support continuity of care
Minimum Qualifications
Proposals must demonstrate the following:
● Current licensure in behavioral health (LCSW, LCPC, or equivalent preferred)
● Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with students in a higher education setting
● Demonstrated ability to provide culturally responsive care, particularly within Native and rural communities
● Strong ethical practice aligned with the American Counseling Association (ACA) and/or National Association of Social Workers (NASW) codes of ethics
● Ability to work independently while collaborating within a multidisciplinary campus team
● Strong understanding of the impact of historical and intergenerational trauma, particularly within Indigenous communities
Insurance Requirements
The selected providers must carry and maintain:
● Professional liability insurance (malpractice)
● General liability insurance
● Any additional insurance required to operate within the scope of services
Proof of insurance must be provided prior to contract execution and must be maintained in current status for the duration of the contract, with updated documentation provided as needed.
Performance Expectations and Measures
The selected provider or providers will be expected to meet the following performance standards:
● Maintain consistent client engagement and retention
● Provide timely access to services for students
● Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and responsiveness
● Participate in ongoing program evaluation and reporting
● Contribute to a campus environment that supports healing, resilience, and student wellbeing
● Maintain compliance with all applicable confidentiality laws (HIPAA, FERPA where applicable)
Additional performance measures may be defined in the final contract.
Contract Term, Renewal, and Performance Review
The selected provider will be engaged under the following contract terms and ongoing performance expectations:
● The anticipated contract term is one (1) year, with the option for annual renewal based on performance, funding availability, and mutual agreement. Renewal timelines will be coordinated to allow sufficient time for evaluation and procurement, if necessary.
● Contract performance will be evaluated on a quarterly basis with a focus on client access, timeliness of services, quality of care, continuity of services, and overall client experience and outcomes. Evaluations will also include responsiveness, communication, and collaboration with the Center for Prevention & Wellness. Continued contract renewal will be contingent upon satisfactory performance and alignment with program expectations.
More than one contractor may be selected under this RFP.
Proposal Submission Requirements
Proposals must include:
● Provider or agency name and contact information
● Description of qualifications and relevant experience
● Copies of current licenses and certifications
● Description of the approach to student mental health care
● Summary of experience and positive outcomes working with mental health concerns and traumas common within college, Tribal, and rural communities
● Experience working in higher education settings
● Proposed service model (individual provider or agency structure)
● Cost proposal, including hourly or contract rate
● Availability and proposed start date
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria and point values (100 points total):
-Relevant experience and qualifications(includes demonstrated ability to work with college student populations) - 30 points
-Cultural responsiveness and alignment with SKC values - 25 points
-Ability to meet service needs and timelines - 25 points
-Cost and Overall Value - 20 points
SKC may use best value determination for selection.
Proposal Submission Deadline
Proposals must be submitted electronically to: procurement@skc.edu
Deadline: Monday, June 15th, 2026 5 p.m MST Late submissions will not be accepted.
Inquiries All questions regarding this RFP should be directed to: procurement@skc.edu
SKC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to select the provider that best meets the needs of the College and its students.
