Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Objective Public Safety Canada (PS) is requesting Industry feedback to assist in defining the requirement for a potentially upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP).  This RFI is neither a call for tender nor a Bid Solicitation. No agreement or contract will be entered into based on this RFI. The issuance of this RFI is not to be considered in any way a commitment by Public Safety Canada or as authority to potential respondents to undertake any work that could be charged to Canada. This RFI is not to be considered as a commitment to issue a subsequent solicitation or award any contract(s) for the work described herein. Participation in this RFI is encouraged, but is not mandatory. There will be no short-listing of potential suppliers for the purposes of undertaking any future work as a result of this RFI. Similarly, participation in this RFI is not a condition or prerequisite for the participation in any potential subsequent solicitation. Context The Government of Canada is committed to reducing crime and enhancing the safety of our communities through effective prevention, policing, and corrections. With respect to prevention, Public Safety Canada is responsible for the administration of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). The Strategy aims to reduce offending among at-risk groups of the population by funding evidence-based interventions and knowledge dissemination projects. Its current priorities are to address early risk factors among children, youth, and young adults that are at risk of offending, respond to priority crime issues (youth gangs, drug-related crimes), facilitate exit from prostitution, prevent recidivism among high-risk groups, and foster prevention in Aboriginal communities. In this context, the Crime Prevention (CP) Research Unit, within Public Safety Canada, aims to provide national leadership on effective and cost-efficient ways to prevent and to reduce crime by addressing risk factors in high-risk populations and places. Focusing on effective ways to prevent and reduce crime, the CP research unit continues to gather and collate both national and international evidence on “what works”, in order to help guide policy and program decisions. This information contributes to the overall body of scientific knowledge in the crime prevention domain. In support of these efforts, the work described below will focus on generating new Canadian knowledge on the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for mitigating risk factors and reducing recidivism among high-risk juveniles and/or young adults. Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a model/psychological intervention based on modern behavioural psychology, relational frame theory, acceptance, mindfulness processes, commitment and behaviour change processes towards the development of greater psychological flexibility (Luoma, Hayes, & Walser, 2007). In ACT, the source of human suffering is psychological inflexibility (e.g., attempts to control unwanted thoughts and feelings instead of living a life based on personal values) (Hayes, 2004). Clinical work in ACT focuses on the development of a meaningful life while accepting inner experiences as they appear (Hayes et al., 2012). Public Safety Canada (PSC) has a need for an evaluator or team of evaluators to conduct an evaluation of an Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) protocol with high risk youth and/or young adults. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine the effectiveness/potential effectiveness of the protocol in reducing risk factors and/or building resilience in a sample of high risk youth or young adults. Industry Engagement Activities As part of this RFI process, Public Safety Canada may offer to respondents an opportunity to explain and express their comment(s) on this RFI or any of the attached documents. Should the interest arise from Industry, Public Safety Canada may hold Industry Engagement Activities such as one-on-one meetings or information sessions at one of Public Safety Canada’s offices or by teleconference. The specific nature of any activity, including dates and times, will be communicated directly to respondents.