(a) All funds appropriated for the purposes of this chapter shall be used to contract with an organization to establish a statewide network of families who have family members with mental health disorders for the purpose of providing information, advice, support, and other assistance to these families.
(b) A request for proposal shall be issued seeking applicants who are capable of supplying the services specified in Section 4244. The respondent organizations shall demonstrate that they:
(1) Focus their activities exclusively on persons with serious mental health disorders.
(2) Have experience in successfully working with state agencies, including, but not limited to, the State Department of State Hospitals.
(3) Have the ability to reach and involve the target population as active members.
(4) Have proven experience providing structured self-help services that benefit the target population.
(5) Have experience holding statewide and local conferences to educate families and professionals regarding the needs of persons with mental health disorders.
(6) Have the financial and organizational structure and experience to manage the funds provided under the proposed contract.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 144, Sec. 75. (AB 1847) Effective January 1, 2015.)