9-RFP 26-19 Youth Prevention Education Student Assistance Program and Youth Intervention Services .docx

Montgomery County, PA RFP 26-19 Youth Prevention Education & Student Assistance Program and Youth Intervention Services

Request for Proposal (RFP): 26-19 Department of Health and Human Services Office of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention Youth Prevention Education & Student Assistance Program and Youth Intervention Services

Introduction 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) offers a full continuum of services to ensure the health, safety and well-being of county residents. The Department serves children, families, young adults, adults and older adults through its offices which include: Children and Youth, Community Connections, Drug and Alcohol, Early Learning Resource Centers, Housing and Community Development, Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention, Public Health, Senior Services, behavioral health managed care services, and Veterans Services. Strategic Offices for the Department support dissemination of important health information and quality and compliance. HHS is fully integrated to provide seamless, coordinated care delivery all focused on enhancing the health and well-being of the residents of Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Offices of Drug and Alcohol (ODA) and Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention (MH/DD/EI) braid funding to provide a continuum of Prevention, Student Assistance Program (SAP), and Youth Intervention services through contracted providers to Montgomery County Public School Districts and their Kindergarten through grade 12 students.

Montgomery County is seeking proposals that include innovative and creative ideas to deliver services that acknowledge the ever-changing landscape of health and human services. These changes include but are not limited to adapting to complement services that are available in schools, and staffing recruitment and retention barriers in the field of human services.

The county is divided into two clusters encompassed by four regions. Cluster 1 includes Regions I and 4. Cluster 2 includes Regions II and III.

This Request for Proposal is issued for the entire county/ two clusters. A provider may apply for one or both clusters and must apply for both Parts A & B of this proposal per cluster. Awarded providers will be responsible for coordinating Prevention, SAP, and Intervention services with equity across all districts in the designated area.

REGION LISTING AS REFERENCED IN PARTS A AND B

Referenced enrollment 22/23 data: Enrollment Data and Statistics | Tableau Public

Cluster 1 (Regions I and IV)

*Region I, Boyertown School District: Provider will provide MH SAP to Montgomery County residents attending Boyertown Area School District and provide Signs of Suicide delivery in the middle and high schools.

Cluster 2 (Regions II and III)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION PART A: DRUG AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION PROGRAMMING (FUNDING OFFICE -OFFICE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Drug and Alcohol (ODA) is the Single County Authority (SCA) in Montgomery County as designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP). The Montgomery County Single County Authority (SCA) is responsible for planning, coordinating and oversight of all publicly funded substance use disorder prevention, intervention, case management, treatment, and recovery support services to eligible Montgomery County residents. The goals of ODA as outlined by DDAP are to: prevent people from abusing drugs and alcohol; intervene in a timely, helpful way with persons already experimenting with drugs and alcohol; to provide needed treatment services to people dependent on drugs and/or alcohol; case management; and recovery support services to assist people to obtain treatment and support people with services once discharged from treatment.

When looking at prevention specifically, it is DDAP’s expectation that the Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol further advance and implement substance use prevention programs, strategies, policies, practices, and procedures based on proven methodologies. These methodologies are to be based on research, local innovation, and other proven strategies within the field. Further outlined by DDAP, prevention program activities are to be provided in a variety of settings to targeted populations who are affected by risk factors associated with substance abuse, determined through a county-wide needs assessment. All drug and alcohol prevention program regulations governing the SCA and its contractors should follow the following guidelines:

PA DDAP Prevention Manual PA DDAP Prevention & Intervention Categorization & Coding Guide PA DDAP Fiscal Manual PA DDAP Operations Manual

ODA is administrative and subcontracts all services to private, well-qualified agencies. ODA does not have the human resource capacity to deliver education and awareness and therefore, establishes contracts with qualified community-based agencies. These contracts are based on priority areas identified in the county-wide Drug and Alcohol Prevention Needs Assessment process as defined by DDAP.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION PART B: Student Assistance Program and Intervention Programs (FUNDING OFFICE - Offices of Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention) Through the integration efforts within the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Offices of Drug & Alcohol (ODA) and Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities (MH/DD/EI) have established a process to promote wellness and efficiencies with schools by combining funding in order to provide a full continuum of prevention and Student Assistance Program (SAP) services.

MH/DD/EI collaborates with ODA to deliver Student Assistance Program (SAP) throughout all public school districts in Montgomery County. Services include behavioral health screenings, connections to in-school supports and community behavioral health providers, short-term individual support, parent/teacher consultation related to behavioral health issues, and behavioral health psychoeducational groups. Through the SAP model, ODA and MH/DD/EI has established positive working relationships with school districts throughout the county. These relationships have fostered additional mental health wellness trainings and supports, as well as opportunities for integrating treatment supports in schools for students throughout the county. MH/DD/EI and ODA follow the minimum guidelines for SAP as outlined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Health and Human Services while simultaneously ensuring school districts are offered a consistent level of support for their students’ mental health needs. Best practice guidelines may be found on the PA Network for Student Assistance Services website: Home (pnsas.org)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION PART B YOUTH INTERVENTION PROGRAMS (FUNDING OFFICE - OFFICE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL):

Youth intervention involves the provision of services designed to encourage individuals to examine their own patterns of substance use and to reduce risky substance use behaviors. Referral to a higher level of care is provided if the need for a structured treatment regimen or other services is indicated. Intervention services should primarily be targeted towards youth referred through the SAP process or the Youth Aid Panel (YAP). The YAP Program is an alternative to having a youth charged with their criminal infraction and having the matter handled in Juvenile Court.

Students found to be using substances should be enrolled in evidence-based youth intervention programs. These programs are designed to:

• Identify the reasons students have chosen to use alcohol or other drugs

• Examine the effects of substance abuse in their lives

• Learn to make healthier choices

A list of approved evidence-based intervention programs for youth can be found in Appendix A.

Scope of Work SCOPE PART A: DRUG AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH (FUNDING OFFICE - OFFICE OF DRUG AND ALOHOL)

Montgomery County, with approximately 861,000 residents, is divided into two service areas, also referred to as “clusters”. The table above illustrates two (2) clusters listing eligible school districts for services. Service proposals may be submitted for one and/or two clusters by a provider that must be able to implement services in Part A & Part B. In order to obtain free Montgomery County services from ODA and MH/DD/EI, Montgomery County public school districts must participate and share their PAYS data with the SCA and assigned Provider agency every two years for planning purposes only. However, this does not guarantee service provision as it is based on availability of funding.

Interested providers are invited to propose a comprehensive and coordinated approach to delivering Prevention, Intervention, and SAP services within their proposed cluster(s) aligning with the SCA’s Drug and Alcohol Needs Assessment. The Needs Assessment process identified certain evidence-based programs targeting prioritized risk and protective factors. Those EBPs can be found in Appendix A. The approach to services should incorporate proven and effective practices implemented with fidelity utilizing evaluative measures as dictated by the SCA in a manner that is most efficient and effective without duplicating services with other community providers.

The recipient of this RFP award will demonstrate the ability to collaborate with ODA, MH/DD/EI, other contracted providers, community agencies, and school district personnel to accomplish the tasks identified in the deliverables. ODA and MH/DD/EI envision a thorough strategic planning process that provides a shared direction for the Offices. Comprehensive and effective communication between all of the entities above is expected by the respondent and will be essential to the success of the contract. The recipient agrees to partner with all other awarded prevention providers to achieve the goals of the SCA and its Comprehensive Strategic Prevention Plan.

SCOPE PART B STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM/YOUTH INTERVENTION PROGRAMS (FUNDING OFFICE - OFFICES OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL AND OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES/EARLY INTERVENTION):

Through the integration efforts within the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ODA and MH/DD/EI have established a process to promote wellness and efficiencies with schools by combining funding to provide a full continuum of prevention and Student Assistance Program (SAP) services.

The recipient of Part B of this RFP will demonstrate the ability to collaborate with ODA, MH/DD/EI, contracted providers, community agencies, and school district personnel to accomplish the tasks identified below. As trauma informed care is a priority to the entire Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the recipient will demonstrate an understanding of trauma informed principles.

County-funded SAP services align with the PA Network For Student Assistance Services’ (PNSAS) definition of SAP as “a systematic team process used to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning” to provide SAP teams on-site, short-term and psychoeducational support options for students. County-funded SAP services complement the continuums of support and treatment that may be available in a school.

The recipient of this proposal will follow DDAP’s outline for SAP service implementation as defined by their codes in the Prevention & Intervention Categorization & Coding Guide.

Federal Strategy: Problem ID and Referral

PIR01 SAP Core Team Meetings – Structured core team consultation meetings. In order to be considered a SAP CORE Team Meeting, the SAP Liaison must be present.

Program Frequency: One-Time Demographics: Record the total number and demographics of students discussed in meeting.

PIR02 SAP Parent Meeting – Refers to meetings that SAP liaisons have with parents that can include teachers and the student. These meetings may take place face to face or by phone. MH/D&A SAP: this includes one-time parent phone calls 15 minutes or more providing follow-up about student participation in services and progress monitoring.

Program Frequency: One-Time Demographics: Record the total number and demographics of participants.

Note: The appropriate Service Population to use with PAPR02 is Parents/Families.

PIR03 SAP Student Consultation with School Staff – Involves in-person meetings with school staff such as school counselor, school nurse, teacher, principal, or other administrator to discuss issues regarding a student who has been referred to SAP.

Examples are:

• Meeting with teacher to discuss student’s academic progress and participation

• After obtaining parental permission, SAP liaison meets with school counselor to discuss a student’s return to school after completing treatment Program Frequency: One-Time Demographics: Record the number and demographics of students discussed in meeting.

Note: These consultations are not core team meetings, parent meetings, or technical assistance provided to SAP core teams.

PIR04 SAP Initial Screening – Initial Screening takes place subsequent to the initial referral to the Core Team to gather information related to drug and alcohol use, mental health, and other issues to help determine if the student needs to be referred to school, community or other professional resources/services such as a drug and alcohol level of care assessment. MH SAP: This service includes phone calls related to scheduling, parent/caregiver inclusion during the screening process including use of Behavioral Health Screening Tools, follow up to a referral source after screening, and parent follow up to review recommendations.

Program Frequency: One-Time Demographics: Record the number and demographics of students screened.

PIR05 SAP Group – Structured programs intended to educate and support students with substance misuse or other high-risk behaviors interfering with their education and life development. The groups may address topics such as ATOD specific education, building skills and resiliency, and addressing identified risk factors. Evidence Based SAP Groups are billable under D&A only. Provider should manage their budget within the parameters listed in the Cost Proposal.

Approved group topics include: Children of Addiction, Decision Making, Stress Management, Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms, LGBTQ, Grief and Loss, Changing Families, Peer Issues, Healthy Relationships, Conflict Resolution, Communication, and other as approved by the SCA/MH/DD/EI.

Program Frequency: Session-Based Demographics: Record the number and demographics of participants.

PIR07 Referral Follow-up – Refers to a follow-up meeting with an individual SAP identified student to check-in regarding their progress/status. This meeting with the student takes place after they have been referred to the core team and discussed at a core team meeting. This code also captures non-SAP follow-up meetings that may take place to meet with parents, family members, or individual to address referrals. MH SAP: Referral Follow Up includes MH SAP Individual Support Services (aka “MH3”). MH SAP Individual Support is Session-Based. These sessions should be utilized to provide individual assistance to students referred by the school SAP Team including: students returning to school from an inpatient/partial or other out-of-school placement, students who are in the process of accessing community based mental health treatment, students who are awaiting the start of a group, and/or students that are experiencing distress that is best served in time limited and solution-focused sessions. Referral follow up phone calls are also available to document time spent on the phone with parents/caregivers and external collaborative entities.

Examples are:

· D&A: Time with students who completed an evidence-based youth intervention program as a one-time event only using the short term, psychoeducational SAP model.

• MH SAP Individual Support Services aka MH3 using the short term, psychoeducational SAP model.:

· Time with a SAP identified student after return from school or community based treatment services

• Time with a SAP identified student to see if they are benefiting from the SAP group support services they were referred to using the short term, psychoeducational SAP model.

• Time with individuals to ensure they received the services to which they were referred Program Frequency: D&A Referral Follow-up is One-Time; MH Referral Follow-up is Session-Based with a maximum of three (3) total hours. Additional MH hours may be approved upon request from provider. Requests should include reason for referral, reason for extension, and post MH3 plan.

Demographics: Record the number and demographics of meeting participants.

SAP POLICIES

The respondent agrees to follow MH/DD/EI and SCA SAP Policies outlined in Appendix B and any subsequent policies released by MH/DD/EI and SCA. Policies take into consideration Best Practice Guidelines distributed by PNSAS.

SCOPE PART B YOUTH INTERVENTION PROGRAMS (FUNDING OFFICE - OFFICE OF D&A):

The SCA is seeking a qualified agency to implement evidence-based intervention strategies for students using substances. The respondent will agree to offer the identified programs school-based as well as virtually or agency based and with parent permission in their assigned geographic region. Detailed records should be maintained for program monitoring and SCA oversight. Policies on intervention records can be found in Appendix B. All Montgomery County youth are eligible to access Intervention services regardless of where they attend school.

Requirements Requirements of this contract are as follows:

CONTRACT DELIVERABLES: PREVENTION PROGRAMMING PART A: DRUG AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH (FUNDING OFFICE - OFFICE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL)

1. Attendance to and active participation in all quarterly Provider meetings hosted by ODA and MH/DD/EI.

2. Adherence to all training and staffing requirements as outlined by the requirements in DDAP’s Prevention Manual. Follow all other procedures as outlined by the Prevention Program Listing, Prevention & Intervention Categorization & Coding Guide, Prevention Staff Handbook, and other SCA instituted policies.

3. Enter all services into DDAP’s data systems within two weeks of service delivery, PA WITS, as outlined by the requirements in DDAP’s Prevention Manual/Prevention & Intervention Categorization & Coding Guide and any other requirements as instituted by the SCA. See Appendix D for WITS Guidelines. Utilize WITS data as the basis of all invoices submitted monthly to the SCA for approval.

4. In partnership with identified County program evaluation entity and in alignment with the DDAP Prevention Manual, follow program evaluation procedures.

5. Facilitate school district service plan meetings at a minimum on an annual basis.

6. Utilize the service plan template and school district PAYS data when facilitating annual school district service plan meetings to target specific problem areas and align services with the SCA Needs Assessment.

7. Utilize evidence-based practices from the approved list in Appendix A when appropriate and with fidelity unless otherwise approved by the SCA. Submit yearly service plans utilizing the SCA’s template to the SCA for review and approval by the assigned deadline, August 1st.

8. Submit annual Letter of Agreements between provider and school districts utilizing the SCA’s template to the SCA for review and approval by the assigned deadline, August 1st.

9. Submit quarterly training grid utilizing the SCA template for current staff to the SCA.

10. Communicate with school districts about services and initiatives in the community related to Prevention/Intervention/SAP. This includes mid-year satisfaction surveys and service plan status updates.

11. Communicate with school districts about other services and community initiatives benefiting students related to the Needs Assessment goals.

12. Adhere to the SCA’s policies and procedures regarding program fidelity checks of evidence-based programming. Maintain an 80% compliance on agency fidelity checks across all programs.

13. Conduct a minimum number of program observations agreed upon with the SCA utilizing the forms and process provided by the SCA.

14. Maintain effective communication with all Montgomery County SCA’s contracted Providers.

15. Maintain effective communication with and participation in meetings with local community groups or coalitions about provider services, as requested.

16. Serve as a presenter or resource table as requested by the SCA.

CONTRACT DELIVERABLES PART B STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM/YOUTH INTERVENTION PROGRAMS (funding offices - OFFICES OF D&A/MH):

1. Attendance to and active participation in all quarterly Provider meetings hosted by ODA and MH/DD/EI.

2. Adherence to all training and staffing requirements as outlined by the requirements in DDAP’s Prevention Manual for D&A funded Services. Follow all other procedures as outlined by the Prevention Program Listing, Prevention & Intervention Categorization & Coding Guide, Prevention Staff Handbook and other SCA instituted policies.

3. It is preferred staff providing MH SAP Support Services funded by MH/DD/EI hold a Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field. Staff may alternatively hold a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field plus relevant training and experience. Providers may utilize up to two Master’s level interns at any given time to provide MH SAP Support Services with weekly individual supervision for a minimum of one hour. All staff providing MH SAP Support Services must complete SAP Certification within their first year of hire.

4. In partnership with identified County program evaluation entity and in alignment with the DDAP Prevention Manual, follow program evaluation procedures.

5. Enter all D&A and MH funded SAP services into DDAP’s data systems, PA WITS, as outlined by the requirements in DDAP’s Prevention Manual/Prevention & Intervention Categorization & Coding Guide and any other requirements as instituted by the SCA. See Appendix D for WITS Guidelines. Utilize WITS data as the basis of all invoices submitted monthly to MH/DD/EI and SCA for approval.

6. On an annual basis, complete the Student Assistance Program Annual Report by the assigned deadline of July 15th.

7. Submit annual Letters of Agreement between provider and school districts utilizing the SCA’s template to the SCA for review and approval by the assigned deadline of August 1st.

8. Make available to assigned school districts the full continuum of SAP services on-site at school buildings, including screenings. SAP services may be offered virtually as needed.

9. Offer evidence-based youth intervention services (Teen Intervene, Marijuana Brief Intervention, INDEPTH, and NOT (Not On Tobacco)) on-site at schools and agency based for students referred for a drug or alcohol issue and who have obtained parent permission. Youth intervention services may be offered virtually as needed.

10. Partnership with mdlogix for license purchase and to utilize the BH-Works platform for documentation of SAP and intervention services and associated screening tools during MH SAP Screenings in accordance with county policies.

11. Partnership with Mindwise Signs of Suicide for purchase of middle and high school curriculum licenses as needed.

12. Evidence of collaboration with Community Based Health Centers (CBHCs) to increase the availability for support and rate of linkage to recommended services by families through other county-funded supports, like Administrative Case Management.

13. Effective communication with all Montgomery County SCA’s contracted Providers.

14. Adherence to all SAP and Youth Intervention policies as outlined by the SCA and MH/DD/EI.

15. Attendance to the MCIU SAP Council meetings.

Metrics and/or Outcomes Access

1. Service Delivery to Districts:

Metric: # of service hours to be conducted per Cluster Target:

Minimum Service Hours

Purpose: To ensure a minimum amount of service activities facilitated across each Cluster.

2. SAP Initial Screening Referral Timeliness:

Metric: % of students referred to SAP Initial Screening will be scheduled within 10 business days Target: ≥90% Purpose: To ensure students are not sitting in referral backlog and are engaged quickly after identification.

Quality

3. Service Monitoring:

Metric: % compliance rate on an annual basis for example indicators on the monitoring tools provided.

Target: ≥80% Purpose: SCA monitoring is conducted on an annual basis as prescribed by DDAP’s timeline. The monitoring tool is received from DDAP and subsequently utilized to monitor all contracted provider agencies. An example of the DDAP monitoring tool is available upon request.

The SCA and MH/DD/EI have instituted further monitoring of SAP and youth intervention programs to ensure quality services and fidelity to evidence-based programs. Examples of the monitoring tool for the following services can be found in Appendix C:

· MH SAP Groups

· MH SAP Individual Support Services

· MH SAP Initial Screenings

· D&A SAP Groups

· Teen Intervene

· Marijuana Brief Intervention

· INDEPTH

· NOT – Not on Tobacco

Efficiency

4. Service Delivery to Students:

Metric: % of the total combined MH/DD/EI and ODA SAP budgets for direct services to students (through screening, facilitation of Signs of Suicide, MH3 & ODA Referral Follow Up, and Groups) Target: ≥50% Purpose: To ensure emphasis of service deliver is students receiving direct psychoeducational SAP services.

Satisfaction

5. School Partner Satisfaction Metric: Average satisfaction reported by school staff on a 5-point Likert scale on an annual survey.

Target: ≥3.75 with increased progression over time Purpose: Measures provider integration into school environment.

6. In addition, all SCA and MH/DD/EI policies must be followed. Please see Appendix B for current policies.

Failure to maintain the stated metrics will result in a corrective action plan. Sustained underperformance will jeopardize contract renewal.

Information Technology Ability to comply with Information Technology policies, requirements and software/hardware capabilities

Cost Proposal Funding will depend on the availability of State and Federal funds. Funds for this contract are based on the estimate of State and Federal funds for the applicable year. Should funding be reduced below the estimated level, the amount of funds available for the contract may be reduced or terminated per notice by the Montgomery County SCA or MH/DD/EI. If increased funding becomes available, the SCA and/or MH/DD/EI will communicate directly with the selected vendors to determine need.

This is a program funded contract. Funding is limited to a twelve-month cap noted below with annual reviews for possible financial increase, if warranted, each fiscal year under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract and provided funding is available.

Funding Table: Estimated Funding Levels for SFY26-27

Value Added Consideration Value added considerations include:

· No current open Corrective Action Plan (CAP)

· Ability to demonstrate cost savings by submitting a proposal for both clusters

Contract Period with Option to Extend The period of the contract is one (1) years with the option of four (4) one year renewals for a maximum of five (5) years based upon mutual written assent. The contract from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031 is based on the availability of state and federal funds.

Should the County desire to exercise this option, notification to the successful contractor shall be given prior to the expiration of the contract, the successful contractor must respond within 15 days from said notification including the fee schedule.

The County reserves the right to accept or reject said proposed adjustments. Should the County reject said proposed adjustments, or if the successful contractor does not respond within the prescribed 15 days, the contract will automatically expire at the end of the contract period.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Submissions are made electronically through the Bonfire Portal.

Offeror must submit both a “Technical Proposal” (NO PRICING) and a “Cost Proposal” as separate documents as part of its Proposal package. In addition, a current W9 and completed Appendix “A” document must be uploaded.

PLEASE NOTE: If responding in Appendix “A” that exceptions are being taken to the Montgomery County Terms and Conditions, vendor must also submit these exceptions as a separate document uploaded in the “OPTIONAL Noted Exceptions to Posted Terms & Conditions” response section.

Any exceptions not provided at the time of proposal submission will not be considered at the time of contracting if the vendor is chosen for award.

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, Office of Office of Drug & Alcohol and Office of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention. The completed proposal must follow the format shown and may not exceed 30 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

· Letter of Introduction: one page, introducing the company including organization vision statement, mission statement, core values.

· Company Profile, no more than three pages. Should include information about the provider’s business, its history and future plans. Should also include:

· Vendor size and stability, number of years in business

· Current list of Board of Directors

· List of organizations or counties with whom the bidder holds contracts. Include a summary of each contract, including time period and award amount, as well as the names and phone numbers of Executive Directors, Administrators, etc. These individuals may be contacted for references.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION

1. Indicate for which Cluster(s) this proposal is being submitted.

2. Discuss your organization’s experience providing the services listed in Parts A & B (Prevention, SAP, and Youth Intervention), including experience with Evidence Based Programs referred to in Appendix A. What prevention (including evidence-based programs), youth intervention, and SAP services does your agency currently provide?

3. In regard to successful partnership with school districts: How will your agency establish relationships with new school districts and buildings? If applicable, what will communication include for districts and buildings with a current relationship? Please include details about communication frequency regarding staffing, operations, etc.

4. How will your agency meet the needs of the community members within the region(s) for which you are applying? Examples may include but are not limited to translation services, flexibility of providing in-person and telehealth services, flexibility of scheduling including after-school hour availability? Please include program hours of operation.

5. Describe your organization’s relationships with the Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHCs) and other treatment providers, and your plan for providing referrals and coordinating care with them. Explain your partnership with Administrative Case Management.

6. Describe creative and innovative ways this contract will be approached in the Cluster(s) for which you are applying to ensure success in managing multiple school district relationships, referrals, meeting service plan expectations, and reaching stated metrics. Include in your response how your program will maintain staff excellence and avoid staff burnout.

7. Explain how your agency will use data (including WITS service delivery) to be successful in the areas of meeting each specific stated contract metrics, areas of improvement and mid-year adjustments to reach stated contract metrics.

8. Briefly describe how you plan to implement the MH SAP Initial Screening through the BH Works interface including a breakdown of task, timeline and time allocation for the service components: Coordination with referral source before and after the screening; Behavioral Health Screening (BHS) with youth and/or parent; screening conversation with youth and parent/guardians; review of screening recommendations.

9. How does your agency measure success/areas of need of your overall Prevention/Youth Intervention/SAP programs or another, comparable, child serving program? Please give examples of both successes and areas of improvement, how your agency addressed areas of improvement, and outcomes during the 24/25 and 25/26 school years. Summarize what areas of strength and improvement would carry over into 26/27.

AGENCY ORGANIZATION

1. Briefly describe your current relationships with Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County school districts or other school district administration and staff outside of Montgomery County. Include an overview of all prevention, SAP, and youth intervention contracts your agency currently holds. In the description of each contract include contract period, description of services, which school districts and buildings are supported, and total cost.

2. Explain the proposed program and supervision structure for services under this contract, including roles and responsibilities. The preferred staffing model would include at least one supervisor with 100% of their time dedicated to their supervisory role and not assigned to provide services in schools. Roles and responsibilities include at minimum supervision, WITS data entry and invoicing, management of required tasks for program evaluation/program observations/program fidelity, and scheduling of SAP screenings within best practice standards (10 days from referral). Note, there is an annual estimated minimum of 8,500 pieces of WITS data per cluster.

3. How often will staff receive supervision? Give examples of tools or practices used for effective feedback to staff.

4. Describe how your organization employs staff (i.e. as employees of the organization, as sub-contractors, a combination of the two methods, or some other method) and how your agency will successfully staff the entirety of each Cluster, given the geographical make-up of each Cluster (ie, rural areas, distance between districts, etc). What is the educational level and/or experience requirement for prevention, youth intervention, SAP staff employed by your organization? Please list salary/rate ranges for each position and position type (10 month versus 12 month).

5. Briefly describe your agency’s knowledge-base, training experience, and policies surrounding creating trauma informed interactions with students, families, and schools and how these practices would be embedded within your Prevention/SAP program.

6. Has your agency been on a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for by the County within the last 3 years? If yes, briefly describe the nature of the CAP, the response to address and outcome.

7. Authorized Signers

a. State the name, title, and email address of the person who will have ultimate responsibility for the contract. This person will act as the primary signed.

b. State the name, title, and email address of the person who will act as the witness.

STAFFING CAPACITY

1. Discuss your capacity to meet the need of Parts A & B service delivery in the cluster(s) for which you are applying, including if staff will be cross trained across programs. If you do not have the current staff available, describe how you will engage and retain qualified staff in less familiar areas to the agency. If applicable, include the timeframe needed to staff the agency for programming.

COMMUNICATION, FISCAL, COST PROPOSAL/BUDGET, INVOICING, AND DATA REPORTING

1. Please explain your approach to budget management and your organization’s plan utilize the budget allocation to meet the stated metrics. Please include examples.

2. What is your agency’s data entry and invoicing process to ensure accurate invoicing to meet county due date of 15th of the month for previous month’s services?

VALUE ADDED CONSIDERATION:

Value added considerations include:

· No current open Corrective Action Plan (CAP) - is your agency on a CAP from any funding entity? If so, please explain

· Agency can demonstrate cost savings by applying for both Clusters

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED

· Organizational chart

· Job descriptions pertinent to contract

· Budgets:

· ODA: One HDA form each for SCA Prevention 6100, SCA Prevention 6200, SCA SAP DDAP 6400, SCA SAP HSBG 6400, SCA Intervention 7200 (total of 5 HDA forms)

· MH/DD/EI: Attachment H for MH SAP (total of 1 Attachment H form)

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

· Most recent audit report image1.wmf image10.wmf image2.png