MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Montgomery County RFP 26-09 Department of Health and Human Services Offices of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, & Early Intervention Innovated Services to Support Competitive Integrated Employment and Community Inclusion

Overview and Introduction Montgomery County Profile:

Montgomery County is located approximately twenty miles west of Center City Philadelphia, PA. Governed by a three-member Board of Commissioners, the County government is a large diverse organization whose mission is to provide quality services in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Montgomery County, with nearly 861,000 residents, is the third most populated county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Some of the services the county government provides its citizens include health and human services, a highly regarded community college, an outstanding park and historic site system, and a judiciary recognized as one of the Commonwealth’s finest.

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) works together with people and organizations across the County to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve. The Department of Health and Human Services is the largest department within the County. We serve individuals and families from Infancy through Older Adulthood, from public health prevention to whole person care, including early childhood education and intervention, Veterans, people who are differently abled, people with mental health challenges, and people facing substance use. The Department’s services include a combination of direct and contracted service delivery to ensure that all those who live, work and play in Montgomery County lead healthy, safe and connected lives.

The Office of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention (MH/DD/EI) is situated within Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services and strives to enrich the lives of people in a positive way, through a unique partnership with the community that ensures quality services. A variety of services are available to individuals who have been determined eligible through assessment and evaluation.

The Pennsylvania Employment First Executive Order, signed by Governor Wolf in 2016, designates Pennsylvania as an “Employment First” state. It requires that competitive, integrated employment be the primary consideration and preferred outcome for all publicly funded education, employment, training, and long‑term support programs serving working‑age individuals with disabilities.

Montgomery County Health and Human Services is committed to supporting people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism in pursuing an everyday life that includes opportunities to promote independence, strengthen self‑confidence, enhance self‑determination, and provide meaningful ways to build relationships and develop new skills that increase access to competitive integrated employment.

Funding will be provided by Montgomery County Human Service Block Grant, under the Developmental Disabilities allocation, under a fee for service payment structure with additional funding for the Community Collaborative work.

Scope of Work Montgomery County Health & Human Services is requesting proposals for innovative services that promote competitive integrated employment for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism who are preparing to leave, or have recently exited, the educational system. Proposed alternative services should foster participation in inclusive community activities, encourage exploration of new interests and experiences, support the development of meaningful relationships, and strengthen community engagement — all with a clear emphasis on readiness for competitive integrated employment.

Montgomery County HHS is also seeking a partner to work alongside the Office of Developmental Disabilities to expand the County’s Community Collaborative, enhancing connections among diverse individuals, families, and community partners.

Montgomery County Health & Human Services will consider proposals that go beyond the current Office of Developmental Program’s waiver service definitions to enhance an individual’s connection to their community and encourage employment that may include:

· Development of employment opportunities or ways to build social capital.

· Building peer networks and support.

· Exploration of culture, civil rights and self-advocacy

· Private industry partnerships that are inclusive for all community members

· Activities that support Montgomery County Collaborative

· Participation in Montgomery County Providers meetings to promote creative thinking for community engagement/inclusion.

Specifics of purchase:

Timetable:

Contract Period (with option for renewal) from commencing with contract execution until June 30, 2027. The contract may, by mutual written assent of the parties, be extended to four (4) additional on (1) year periods or portions thereof, up to a cumulative total of five (5) years. Annual budgets will be assessed based on outcomes and availability of funds

General Disclaimers:

· The agency must be in good performance standing with County, State, or Federal oversight bodies. Current or unresolved findings will be reviewed by Montgomery County HHS for all applicants. These findings may influence final award of contract.

Requirements Applicants shall have strong knowledge of resources in Montgomery County and demonstrate current relationships with multiple stakeholders in the county to promote integrated community activities.

Regulatory Requirements:

All services must comply with Chapter 6100 regulations applicable to base‑funded services, as required under § 6100.804. Providers are responsible for meeting the following regulatory provisions:

• General Provisions: §§ 6100.1–6100.3

• General Requirements: §§ 6100.41–6100.56

• Training Requirements: §§ 6100.141–6100.143

• Individual Rights: §§ 6100.181–6100.186

• Individual Plan Requirements: §§ 6100.221–6100.227

• Transition Requirements: §§ 6100.301–6100.307

• Restrictive Procedures: §§ 6100.341–6100.350

• Incident Management: §§ 6100.401–6100.405

• Medication Administration: §§ 6100.461–6100.469

Personnel & Staff Requirements:

Administrative staff with minimum of 3 years experience in program operations and/or program development.

All full-time and part-time staff must be 18 years or older with Criminal History Checks Staff shall complete 12 hours of training each year as outlined in § 6100.143. Annual training.

Documentation and Record Keeping Requirements

· All Applicant(s) records with respect to any matters covered by this proposal shall be made available to the COUNTY at any time during normal business hours, as often as the COUNTY or grantor agency deems necessary, to audit, examine, and make excerpts or transcripts of all relevant data.

· Applicants must have an adequate system to provide all required reports and information to Montgomery County HHS.

· The provider shall keep individual records confidential and in secure location. Records shall be kept by the provider for at least 4 years.

Monitoring Requirements

· The agency must be in good performance standing with County, State, or Federal oversight bodies. Current or unresolved findings will be reviewed by Montgomery County HHS for all APPLICANTS. These findings may influence final award of contract.

· The APPLICANT(S) must be available for an on-site monitoring visit within 30 days of receiving notification from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Performance Metrics, Outcomes, Standards, and Reporting Requirements

· Key Performance Indicators (Outcomes & Objectives to be achieved)

· At least 80% of individuals served will demonstrate an increase of 20% or more in participation in meaningful activities and social interactions as defined by the individual, based on their strengths, interests and preferences

· Participants will report no less than 80% satisfaction with the level of inclusion, and their sense of belonging as contributing/participating member of their community.

· Activities that advance skill development to promote employment opportunities for individuals interested in competitive integrated employment with at least 60% of participants expressing interest in competitive integrated employment.

· Activities promoting Montgomery County Collaborative of supporting families by participating in at least 2 Collaborative-related activities annually

· Number of unique registered individuals served.

· Participation in at least two Developmental Disabilities Provider Meetings per year.

· Reporting Requirements: The contractor shall adhere to the reporting requirements and schedules outlined below. The contractor will be responsible for collecting and reporting relevant metrics and data to designated personnel within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Specific points of contact for reporting will be identified and communicated to the contractor at the time of contract execution.

· Outcomes will be evaluated quarterly and prior to contract renewal

· Performance Metrics should be reported to Montgomery County HHS quarterly. Applicants must have the capacity to collect, maintain and report metrics at regular intervals. Applicants should have the capacity to report at unexpected intervals the metrics gathered from the previous quarter.

Technological and Data Governance Requirements

· Data

· Montgomery County Health and Human Service is the sole owner of the data contained within this RFP and any and all reports requested. No additional fees will be assessed by contractor for full download of data collected.

· Confidentiality

· The Contractor agrees to protect the confidentiality of the County’s confidential information.

· The Contractor shall not use or disclose any information about a recipient receiving services from, or otherwise enrolled in, a County program affected by or benefiting from Services under the Contract for any purpose not connected with the Contractor’s responsibilities, except with consent pursuant to applicable law or regulations. All material associated with direct disclosures of this kind (including the disclosed information) shall be provided to the County prior to the direct disclosure.

· Compliance with Laws. Contractor will comply with all applicable laws or regulations related to the use and disclosure of information, including information that constitutes Protected Health Information (PHI) as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

· Data Breach or Loss

· The Contractor shall comply with all applicable data protection, data security, data privacy and data breach notification laws, including but not limited to the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act, Act of December 22, 2005, P.L. 474, No. 94, as amended, 73 P.S. §§ 2301—2329.

· For Data and Confidential Information in the possession, custody, and control of the Contractor or its employees, agents, and/or subcontractors:

· The Contractor shall report unauthorized access, use, release, loss, destruction or disclosure of Data or Confidential Information (“Incident”) to the County within one (1) hour of when the Contractor knows of or reasonably suspects such Incident, and the Contractor must immediately take all reasonable steps to mitigate any potential harm or further access, use, release, loss, destruction or disclosure of such Data or Confidential Information.

· The Contractor shall provide timely notice to all individuals that may require notice under any applicable law or regulation as a result of an Incident. The notice must be pre-approved by the County. At the County’s request, Contractor shall, at its sole expense, provide credit monitoring services to all individuals that may be impacted by any Incident requiring notice.

· The Contractor shall be solely responsible for any costs, losses, fines, or damages incurred by the County due to Incidents.

· As to Data and Confidential Information fully or partially in the possession, custody, or control of the Contractor and the County, the Contractor shall diligently perform all of the duties required in this section in cooperation with the County, until the time at which a determination of responsibility for the Incident, and for subsequent action regarding the Incident, is made final.

· Sensitive Information

· The Contractor shall not publish or otherwise disclose, except to the County or the Contractor’s subcontractors and except matters of public record (which is to be determined entirely in the discretion of the County), any information or data obtained hereunder from private individuals, organizations, or public agencies.

· THE PARTIES SHALL NOT USE OR DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A RECIPIENT RECEIVING SERVICES FROM, OR OTHERWISE ENROLLED IN, A COUNTY PROGRAM AFFECTED BY OR BENEFITING FROM SERVICES UNDER THIS CONTRACT FOR ANY PURPOSE NOT CONNECTED WITH THE PARTIES’ CONTRACT RESPONSIBILITIES EXCEPT WITH CONSENT PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAW AND REGULATIONS. ALL DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIRECT DISCLOSURES OF THIS KIND MUST BE ANNOUNCED TO AND OPEN FOR INSPECTION BY THE COUNTY.

Cost Proposal Completion of the provided county Budget Form to identify fee for service rate for direct services to participants with a cap of $120,000 and cost proposal to support activities of Montgomery County Community Collaborative.

Value added consideration Additional skills, value-added components such as the ability to secure funding through various sources to sustain services including the potential to be a qualified waiver provider.

Contract Period with Option to Extend/Renew The period of the contract(s) shall be from commencing with contract execution until June 30, 2027. The contract(s) may, by mutual written assent of the parties, be extended to four (4) additional one (1) year periods of portions thereof, up to a cumulative total of five (5) years. Annual budgets will be assessed based on outcomes and availability of funds.

Proposal Submittal Offeror must submit their Proposal electronically through the Bonfire Portal. In addition, a current W9 and completed Appendix “A” document must also be uploaded as separate documents.

Questions All questions related to this Request for Proposal are to be submitted through the Bonfire Portal.

RFP Response Narrative Format Template

Introduction The format that follows is to be used in preparing your proposal in response to the RFP. The applicant’s operations, plans, capabilities, and prior experience are of primary interest to Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. The completed proposal must follow the format shown and may not exceed 14 pages, excluding title page and requested attachments.

Title Page: showing RFP number, due date and time, proposer name, address, telephone number, contact person, email address, and EIN number.

Background Statement and Prior Experience

· Provide a brief (no more than one page) description of the applicant’s business, including:

· History and future plans

· Vendor size

· Vendor financial stability (include copy of most recent audit as an attachment)

· Number of years in business

· Provider Identification (EIN)

· Corporate name and address

· Contact person(s) name, telephone number and email

· Describe the agency’s broad purpose for serving its community as stated in its mission statement and the goals it hopes to achieve.

· Please give an overview of the services you currently deliver.

· Describe the agency’s experience serving individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism

Service Description

· What strategies will you implement to promote your services and engage potential participants in your programs(s)?

· Describe how your program will create opportunities for individuals to participate in integrated community activities, explore new interests and build meaningful social connections.

· What methods will you use to support peer networks, self-advocacy and exploration of culture and civil rights for participants?

· What innovative approaches will your organization use to help individuals expand social capital and contribute to their communities?

· How will your proposed services support individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism in preparing for or transitioning into competitive integrated employment?

· Explain how your program will develop or enhance employment opportunities, including any strategies for engaging in private industry in inclusive partnerships.

· What processes will you use to monitor and evaluate individuals’ employment outcomes and increased community engagement?

· How will your organization participate in and contribute to Montgomery County Developmental Disabilities provider meetings to promote creative thinking around community engagement and inclusion.

· How do you plan to collaborate with Montgomery County Health and Human Services to expand Montgomery County’s Developmental Disabilities Community Collaborative and strengthen connections among diverse individuals, families and community partners?

Agency Organization

· Montgomery County has transitioned to electronic contracting through the use of Docusign. Please designate the two authorized signers by name, title, and email address. The first name will act as the primary signer and the second name will act as the witness.

· The name, title and qualifications of the manager who will oversee the program.

· Submit as an attachment an organizational chart, clearly indicating lines of authority among all positions and full-time or part time designation.

· Address completion of PA State Criminal Record Check, FBI Background Check and PA Child Abuse History Clearance and include frequency and how this process is tracked and documented.

· Address how professional development will include required training as outlined in the 6100 Regulations § 6100.143. Annual training.

Communication, Fiscal, Cost Proposal/Budget, Invoicing, and Data Reporting

· Comment on your capabilities to maintain all required documentation and monitoring requirements listed in this RFP.

· Comment on your capabilities to maintain all performance metrics and reporting requirements as listed in this RFP.

· Comment on your technological capabilities regarding

· Data,

· Confidentiality

· Data Breach or loss

· Sensitive Information

· Submit Exhibit A: Montgomery County IT Services Business Associate Agreement (BAA) (IF NEEDED)

· Submit a budget (using the attached spreadsheet). Include a narrative with your budget.

· Please note agencies are required to have separate accounting of funds for each program. How will you comply with this requirement?

List of Attachments to be Submitted

· Exhibit A Montgomery County IT Services Business Associate Agreement (BAA)

· Organizational chart

· Job descriptions pertinent to contract

· Budget or cost proposal

· License(s), certification(s) (if applicable)

· Most recent audit report

· If awarded contract a Certificate of Insurance (COI) will need to be issued listing the specific office as a holder image1.png