ESBD_File_206490_HHS0007902-Package 3 - Addendum 4.doc

Open Enrollment for Out-of-State Adoption Services

Procurement Number: HHS0007902 Addenda

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

ADDENDA

To Open Enrollment

HHS0007902

For

Out-of-State Adoption Services

Notice is hereby given to prospective applicants to the above referenced open enrollment that changes have been made to requirements or information in the open enrollment, as noted in the addenda below.

(Note: In the column with the heading "Open Enrollment Reference", the references to "Package" refer to the link, as listed on the HHSC Open Enrollment Opportunities webpage and Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) posting of this open enrollment.)

Addendum #4 January 20, 2023

Item

Open Enrollment

Reference

Previous

Revised Language

(Provider

Enrollment for: Out-of-State Adoption Services)

· 1.2 Point of Contact. The sole point of contact for questions and communications for this Open Enrollment is Delayne Williams at delayne.williams@dfps.state.tx.us.

· 1.2 Point of Contact. The sole point of contact for questions and communications for this Open Enrollment is Delayne Williams at delayne.williams@dfps.texas.gov.

· The following Section 2.12.4 A Home Screening A. Home Screening

The Contractor will provide documentation to DFPS that a home screening has been completed on the home by the Child-Placing Agency (CPA) that meets DFPS’ Minimum Standards for Child Placing Agencies, prior to DFPS considering a child for placement in the home; and upon request by DFPS, the Contractor will complete and submit the Non-DFPS Adoptive Home Registration Form 2238.

· The following Section 2.12.4 A. Home Screening updated:

B. Home Screening

The Contractor will provide documentation to DFPS that a home screening has been completed on the home by the Child-Placing Agency (CPA) that meets DFPS’ Minimum Standards for Child Placing Agencies, prior to DFPS considering a child for placement in the home.

· The following Section 2.15.7 Adoption Competency Training

Adoption Competency Training CPAs intending to enter into a contract for Out-of-State Adoption Services must provide adoption competency training to staff providing direct services, which specifically includes the Case Manager(s), Supervisor, and any other providers working with the CPA that will be involved in the adoption case.

A. The adoption competency training curriculum must be a minimum of sixteen (16) hours and must include all twenty (20) of the topics below. The curriculum topics are:

1) The role of CPS, the child’s CPS worker, and the CPS Foster and Adoption worker;

2) The role of the Private Agency and the family’s adoption worker;

3) Grief and Loss;

4) Attachment;

5) Types of Abuse/Neglect;

6) The impact of Abuse/Neglect on children;

7) Definition of special needs children;

8) Biases and attitudes that negatively impact Special Needs Adoptions;

9) Sibling placements;

10) Multi-Ethnic Placement Act-Interethnic Provisions;

11) Trans-racial and cross-cultural placements, including issues to consider and specific ways to support the families;

12) General selection process/matching child and family;

13) General presentation process;

14) Transitioning a child and family from foster care to adoption;

15) Preparing families to be an adoptive placement for children in foster care;

16) Legal risk placements;

17) Pre-placement visits;

18) Adoption plan of service;

19) Indicators for disruption/dissolution and ways to prevent it; and

20) Services available for adoptive families that are available through the regional Post Adoption Contractor.

· The following Section 2.15.7 Adoption Competency Training

Adoption Competency Training CPAs intending to enter into a contract for Out-of-State Adoption Services must provide adoption competency training to staff providing direct services, which specifically includes the Case Manager(s), Supervisor, and any other providers working with the CPA that will be involved in the adoption case.

A. The adoption competency training curriculum must be a minimum of sixteen (16) hours and must include all twenty (20) of the topics below. The curriculum topics are:

1) The role of CPS, the child’s CPS worker, and the CPS Foster and Adoption worker;

2) The role of the Private Agency and the family’s adoption worker;

3) Grief and Loss;

4) Attachment;

5) Types of Abuse/Neglect;

6) The impact of Abuse/Neglect on children;

7) Definition of special needs children;

8) Biases and attitudes that negatively impact Special Needs Adoptions;

9) Sibling placements*;

10) Multi-Ethnic Placement Act-Interethnic Provisions;

11) Trans-racial and cross-cultural placements, including issues to consider and specific ways to support the families;

12) General selection process/matching child and family*;

13) General presentation process*;

14) Transitioning a child and family from foster care to adoption;

15) Preparing families to be an adoptive placement for children in foster care;

16) Legal risk placements*;

17) Pre-placement visits*;

18) Adoption plan of service*;

19) Indicators for disruption/dissolution and ways to prevent it; and

20) Services available for adoptive families that are available through the regional Post Adoption Contractor.

B. The adoption curriculum topics are available in The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI). NTI is an evidence-based and trauma informed web-based training. NTI was funded through the Children’s Bureau and the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) and is available free of charge on both domains. The training can be accessed at https://adoptionsupport.org/nti/

* These topics are not covered by NTI and will need supplemental training.

C. Resources for developing training on these topics can be found in: Special Needs Adoption Training Curricula Resources for Contractors.

· The following Section 2.23.3 Non DFPS Adoptive Home Registration, Form 2238

The Contractor completes Form 2238 to register approved adoptive families who have been assessed and have shown an interest in parenting children in DFPS Conservatorship, with special needs, who are awaiting an adoptive family. The Contractor mails this form to DFPS CPS Caseworker for data entry into IMPACT and maintains a copy of Form 2238 in the Contractor's file. The purpose of this form is to:

A. Provide demographic information on approved Child-Placing Agency adoptive homes for entry into the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children in Texas (IMPACT) automation system.

B. Provide updated information or changes regarding Child-Placing Agency adoptive homes listed in IMPACT.

C. Provide information to close Child-Placing Agency adoptive homes listed in IMPACT.

· The following Section 2.23.3 Non DFPS Adoptive Home Registration, Form 2238 was deleted.

Addendum #3 May 17, 2021

Item

Open Enrollment

Reference

· The following Section 2.13.8

2.13.8 Reporting Allegations of Abuse and Neglect

The Contractor shall report any allegation of abuse or neglect. The Contractor will both call in the intake into Texas Statewide Intake. To report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children, the elderly, or people with disabilities call 1-800-252-5400 or report online at https://www.txabusehotline.org. The Contractor must also report the allegations of abuse or neglect to the following email: ICPCHS@dfps.texas.gov

2.13.8 Reporting Allegations of Abuse and Neglect

As required by Section II (A) of the DFPS Vendor Supplemental and Special Conditions, the Contractor shall report any allegation of abuse or neglect to:

A. Texas Statewide Intake by calling call 1-800-252-5400 or reporting it online at https://www.txabusehotline.org; and

B. DFPS Interstate Compact for Placement of Children (ICPC) by emailing ICPCHS@dfps.texas.gov.

Addendum #2 May 4, 2021

Item

Open Enrollment

Reference

· The following Section 2.12.4 A. Home Screening The Contractor will provide documentation to DFPS that a home screening has been completed on the home by the Child-Placing Agency (CPA) that meets minimum regulatory standards for the state in which the adoption services are to occur prior to DFPS considering a child for placement in the home; and upon request by DFPS, the Contractor will complete and submit the Non DFPS Adoptive Home Registration Form 2238.

· The following Section 2.12.4 A. Home Screening The Contractor will provide documentation to DFPS that a home screening has been completed on the home by the Child-Placing Agency (CPA) that meets minimum regulatory standards for the state in which the adoption services are to occur prior to DFPS considering a child for placement in the home; and upon request by DFPS.

2.

2.13.8 Reporting Allegations of Abuse and Neglect

The Contractor shall report any allegation of abuse or neglect. The Contractor will both call in the intake into Texas Statewide Intake. To report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children, the elderly, or people with disabilities call 1-800-252-5400 or report online at https://www.txabusehotline.org. The Contractor must also report the allegations of abuse or neglect to the following email: ICPCHS@dfps.texas.gov

3.

4.

Addendum #1 March 22, 2021

Item

Open Enrollment

Reference

· The following Section 2.24.2 Performance Measures, Outcome #1 Numerator: Numerator: The total number of intact (non-disrupted) placements at the end of the Reporting Period.

Numerator: The total number of disrupted placements at the end of the Reporting Period.

Revised 01/20/2023