ESBD_368866_1721404811365_HHS0015111 RFI.pdf

DFPS Community-Based Care Page 1 of 7 RFI Regions 9 and 10

Stephanie Muth, DFPS Commissioner

Request for Information (RFI)

For

DFPS Community-Based Care for

Regions 9 and 10 RFI No.: HHS0015111

Date of Release: July 19, 2024

Responses Due: September 3, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. Central Time

NIGP Codes: Class/Item

952-47 Foster Care Services

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Table of Contents

1. Program Introduction

1.1. OVERVIEW

1.2. PURPOSE

1.3. BACKGROUND

2. General Information and Response Instructions

2.1. GENERAL INFORMATION

2.2 FUNDING

2.3. RESPONDENT QUESTIONS

2.4. RESPONSE SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION

2.4. TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT

2.5. DISCLAIMERS

The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank

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1. Program Introduction

1.1. OVERVIEW

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to seek community feedback on solutions for expanding Community- Based Care (CBC) in rural Texas communities. The high-level goal for this RFI is to obtain potential specifications for a Request for Applications (RFA) that may be utilized in the future to invite grant applications for Community-Based Care (CBC) in Regions 9 and 10.

This is a RFI only and under no circumstances be mistaken or interpreted as a procurement opportunity. DFPS may utilize any feedback from this RFI to inform internal and external stakeholders who directly impact the expansion of CBC.

DFPS will summarize the feedback in aggregate, which will include any factors DFPS considered in determining any revisions to future procurements and may decide to share any upcoming changes informed by this RFI.

All responses to this RFI will be reviewed and considered.

1.2. PURPOSE

The intent of this RFI is to gather community-based solutions for the expansion of CBC in rural Texas communities. Feedback may be utilized in the revision of current specifications and contracting structure that a contractor would operate under to continue expanding CBC into Regions 9 and 10, with the goal of supporting the safety, well-being and permanency to all Texas children. DFPS will take responses under consideration as it develops future RFAs used to invite grant applications for a Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) for Community-Based Care.

1.3. BACKGROUND

In 2017, the 85th Legislature passed SB11 creating a new model known as Community- Based Care (CBC). This effort moved the Texas Foster Care system from a statewide model to a community focused model designed to meet the individualized needs of Children, Youth, and Families in Texas. By purchasing a continuum of care that includes case management and all substitute care services from a Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) and the local community allows DFPS to focus on child safety, through investigating reports of abuse and neglect, providing in home Family-Based Safety Services, and ensuring quality oversight of the Foster Care system.

DFPS continues to expand the community’s role in meeting challenges of serving children in foster care by introducing a new way of providing foster care services that relies on a SSCC within a designated catchment area. CBC is Texas’ model of providing foster services that gives local communities the flexibility to draw on local strengths and

DFPS Community-Based Care Page 4 of 7 resources to find innovative ways that meet the unique and individual needs of children and their families.

Recently, the 88th Texas Legislature directed DFPS to build an entirely new Foster Care service continuum known as Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C).

Currently, Community-Based Care is contracted in the areas shown below in blue highlight. Regions 1, 2, 3E, 3W, 4, 5, and 8B have a Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC). In a recent Request for Application (RFA), DFPS advertised for the areas shown in green highlight below; Regions 6A, 6B, 8A and 10. However, no responses were received for Region 10. In a prior RFA, DFPS advertised for the Region 9 area, but no responses were received. This RFI seeks to identify challenges and/or barriers to providing Community-Based Care in Regions 9 and 10.

For additional information on CBC, please visit https://www.dfps.texas.gov/CBC/community-areas/.

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2. General Information and Response Instructions

2.1. GENERAL INFORMATION

This RFI is issued as a formal research method for consideration by DFPS. All interested parties are encouraged to respond to this RFI. DFPS will not award a contract as a direct result of this RFI. This RFI does not constitute an invitation to submit grant applications, a commitment to conduct a Request for Applications, or an offer of a contract or prospective contract.

2.2 FUNDING

This is a RFI only. DFPS is not liable for any expenses incurred by Respondents in the preparation and submission of responses to this RFI. Responses to this RFI is considered as public information. Any information received by DFPS will be considered as the property of DFPS and will not be returned to the sender.

There will be no acknowledgement by DFPS of receipt of the information.

Acceptance of responses to this RFI places no obligations of any kind upon

DFPS.

2.3. RESPONDENT QUESTIONS

Respondents who are interested in providing feedback to this RFI are encouraged to provide detailed information on, and specific responses to, each of the following inquires. Respondents may choose to respond to one or more questions in their responses. Respondents are not required to respond to all the questions and encouraged to provide any additional insight, if applicable.

Respondents should consider the following questions for Regions 9 and/or 10:

RFI Question #1: Are there a lack of local resources or support that make it difficult to implement CBC? If so, what is missing?

RFI Question #2: What are the barriers or challenges in developing the infrastructure necessary to support CBC in your area?

RFI Question #3: If DFPS were to redraw the regional boundaries for Regions 9 and/or 10, what counties should or should not be included?

RFI Question #4: DFPS has an unsolicited proposal option for CBC, if this is not an option that can be considered. Please share your reasons.

RFI Question #5: In general, are there any concerns about DFPS or Community-Based Care in your local community?

RFI Question #6: How can DFPS assist your community with preparing for CBC for the youth in your region?

RFI Question #7: Are there any changes current Community-Based Care model that would make it work better in Regions 9 and/or 10?

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Respondents may respond with additional information not posed in the questions above.

2.4. RESPONSE SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION

2.4.1. Instructions

Respondents may submit questions regarding the RFI until 5:00 PM Central Time on August 20, 2024. Questions may be submitted via email to:

ERIN SILVA, BSHA, CTCD, CTCM

Contract Specialist IV Procurement and Contracting Services Erin.Silva@hhs.texas.gov 1100 W. 49th Street | Mail Code 2020 Austin, TX 78756

It is not the intent of DFPS to provide a question-and-answer period. However, if DFPS receives questions about the RFI, a question and answer document will be posted no later than August 27, 2024, to the ESBD.

2.3.2. Submission Deadline

All responses must be submitted to Erin.Silva@hhs.texas.gov before 5:00 PM, Central Time, September 3, 2024. Respondents are solely responsible for ensuring timely receipt of their responses on or before the deadline. Responses received after the submission deadline may not be considered.

2.3.3. Response Format

The response should be organized such that Respondent’s answers are numbered to correspond to the applicable RFI question. For any questions that Respondent does not wish to provide a response, please indicate “N/A” for that question.

All responses must be:

1. Clearly legible.

2. Sequentially page-numbered and include Respondent’s name at the top of each page;

3. Correctly identified with the RFI number and RFI title in either the footer or header of each page;

4. Submitted by Respondent via e-mail;

5. In word or searchable pdf format;

6. Submitted without any portion of the submission containing a copyright or marking of “confidential” or “proprietary”; and

7. Signed by Respondent’s authorized representative.

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Respondent should submit supporting material, if any, as attachments along with its RFI response.

2.4. TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT

All responses to this RFI are subject to the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), Texas Government Code Chapter 552, and may be disclosed to the public upon request. Other legal authority also requires System Agency to post grants and applications on its public website and to provide such information to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) for posting on its public website. Under the PIA, certain information is protected from public release.

The System Agency will strictly adhere to the requirements of the PIA regarding the disclosure of public information. As a result, by participating in this RFI, Applicant acknowledges that all information, documentation, and other materials submitted in its feedback may be subject to public disclosure under the PIA. The System Agency does not have authority to agree that any information submitted will not be subject to disclosure. Disclosure is governed by the PIA and by rulings of the Office of the Texas Attorney General. Respondents are advised to consult with their legal counsel concerning disclosure issues resulting from this process and to take precautions to safeguard trade secrets and proprietary or otherwise confidential information. The System Agency assumes no obligation or responsibility relating to the disclosure or nondisclosure of information submitted by Respondents.

For more information concerning the types of information that may be withheld under the PIA or questions about the PIA, please refer to the Public Information Act Handbook published by the Office of the Texas Attorney General or contact the attorney general’s Open Government Hotline at (512) 478-OPEN (6736) or toll-free at (877) 673-6839 (877-OPEN TEX). To access the Public Information Act Handbook, please visit the attorney general’s website at http://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.

2.5. DISCLAIMERS

All information received from respondents to the RFI in any form may be used by DFPS without restriction for any purpose determined by DFPS. By issuing this RFI and receiving responses, DFPS does not commit to issue a future RFA regarding the subject matter of this RFI. Responding to this RFI is not a condition for eligibility to respond to any future RFA, and responses to this RFI will not have any bearing, positive or negative, on the evaluation and respondent selection in response to any future RFA.

DFPS may, at its sole discretion, withdraw or cancel this RFI at any time.