The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County has released two 2027 Requests for Proposals (RFPs), one for all general services providers and one for Class 2 residential providers. The requests mark a significant step toward building a more coordinated, sustainable and outcomes-driven behavioral health system for Cuyahoga County.

These RFPs outline how mental health and addiction services will be funded and delivered beginning in 2027, introducing a competitive, system-wide process for provider funding. All organizations, both current providers and new applicants, will be required to apply, ensuring that investments are aligned with community needs, performance outcomes and long-term system sustainability.

The ADAMHS Board has established clear priorities and expectations for providers, including service alignment across key categories such as crisis response, outpatient care and recovery supports. Proposals will be evaluated using defined criteria, including organizational experience, cultural responsiveness, collaboration and alignment with countywide behavioral health goals. 

Community input has played a key role in shaping the RFP and will continue to inform final decisions. Our new approach follows extensive community engagement and analysis, including findings from our 2026 Provider Network Optimization Study, 2024 Community Needs Assessment and Strategic Priorities. We actively sought feedback from providers, clients, families and residents to ensure the system reflects real-world needs and lived experiences.

These efforts identified the need for a more strategic, transparent funding model that prioritizes impact, coordination and fiscal responsibility.