Operation of Western Secure Treatment Unit RFI.pdf

Department of Human Services

Office of Children, Youth, and Families

Operation of Western Secure Treatment Unit

(WSTU)

Request for Information (RFI)

Date: October 24, 2024

Operation of Western Secure Treatment Unit (WSTU) Request for Information October 24, 2024

Table of Contents

PART 1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Purpose of this Request for Information

1.2 Request for Information Timeline

1.3 Disclaimers

PART 2. BACKGROUND

2.1 Background Information

PART 3. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION SUBMISSION FORMAT

3.1 Response Submission

3.2 Cover Letter

3.3 Conceptual Solutions and Strategies Response

3.3.1 Background

3.3.2 Program Components ...…………………………………………………………….……..6

3.3.3 Staffing ...……………………………………………………………………………………..6

3.3.4 Information Technology……………………………………………………………………7

PART 1. General Information

1.1 Purpose of this Request for Information

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (“Department”), Bureau of Procurement & Contract Management issues this Request for Information (“RFI”) to gather input and information concerning the operation of the Western Secure Treatment Unit (“WSTU”).

Specifically, this RFI seeks information to assist the Department in identifying potential vendors that may be qualified to provide for the management, administration, and operation of WSTU.

WSTU is a 60-bed secure, residential treatment facility for male adjudicated delinquent youth located in Emlenton, Pennsylvania, Butler County. The Department is seeking knowledge and information regarding potential program components including structured educational, recreational, therapeutic, and socialization/counseling, as well as food service, and medical and dental services.

The Department encourages vendors and other interested parties to provide feedback in response to this RFI or any part thereof. A respondent may respond to all or any of the specific questions or topics included in this RFI.

1.2 Request for Information Timeline

Event Date Release RFI October 24, 2024 Vendor RFI Responses Due November 25, 2024

The Department is requesting that all responses to this RFI be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on the due date. Responses must be submitted electronically to the following email account with “Operation of WSTU RFI” in the email subject line: RA-PWRFICOMMENTS@PA.GOV.

While the Department does not intend to respond to questions or clarifications during the RFI response period, vendors may submit administrative questions related to this RFI electronically to: RA-PWRFICOMMENTS@PA.GOV using “Operation of WSTU RFI” question” in the email subject line. The Department may or may not respond based on the nature of the question. The Department will post all answers provided online at: http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us.

1.3 Disclaimers

The Department is not liable for any costs or expenses incurred by vendors in the preparation of responses related to this RFI.

mailto:RA-PWRFICOMMENTS@PA.GOV mailto:RA-PWRFICOMMENTS@PA.GOV http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for future business, an offer for procurement, or any other type of current or future procurement action and is only intended to gather information and input. The Department will not award an agreement on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for any of the information received.

The Department may use the information gathered through this process in the development of future procurement documents; however, the Department does not guarantee that this will occur.

The Department will not return responses to this RFI. Respondents will not be notified of the result of the review, nor will they be provided copies of it. If the Department issues a procurement document, no vendor will be selected, pre‐qualified, or exempted based on its participation in this RFI process.

Respondents should be aware that the responses to this RFI will be public information and that no claims of confidentiality will be honored. The Department is not requesting, and does not require, confidential, proprietary information, or other competitively sensitive information to be included as part of the RFI submission. Ownership of all data, material and documentation originated, prepared, and provided to the Department during this RFI process will belong exclusively to the Department.

PART 2. Background

2.1 Background Information

WSTU is a 60-bed (five 12-bed units) secure, residential treatment facility for male adjudicated delinquent youth. WSTU is part of the Youth Development Center/Youth Forestry Camp system (“YDC system”), which operates under the Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services (“BJJS”) within the Department’s Office of Children, Youth & Families (“OCYF”). The YDC system provides residential programs and treatment services for Pennsylvania’s adjudicated delinquent youth population, who have been court ordered to be placed out of home. Consistent with the Balanced and Restorative Justice (“BARJ”) tenets of the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa. C.S. § 6301 et seq., the YDC system provides juvenile delinquent youth with supervision, care, and rehabilitation, while embracing victims’ rights, community safety and protection, accountability, and the development of competencies that promote responsibility and productivity. The YDC system provides an array of treatment services for residents that are individualized, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate. The YDC system utilizes the Master Case Planning System (“MCPS”) which is a strength-based treatment approach developed to ensure standardization in documentation and the case planning process for all facilities in the YDC System; ensure maximum participation on the part of families, courts, and clinical and educational employees in the development of the competency-based continuum of services;

ensure services are designed to return the resident to the community better equipped to be a productive member of society; and ensures accountability on the part of the resident and employee to the victim, community, court, and family. Consistent with the MCPS process, services are delivered via individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, and skill-building services for each resident. Services are also aligned with the principles of effective interventions as outlined in Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy.

Youth committed to WSTU are male, between the ages of 13 through 20, who have committed an act of delinquency before reaching 18 years of age and remain under the jurisdiction of juvenile court (legal definition of a “child” under Section 6302 of the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302). These youth are placed in the care and custody of the Department pursuant to Subarticle

(d) of Article III of the Human Services Code, 62 P.S. §§ 341- 345. All youth are committed to WSTU by the juvenile courts of the Commonwealth through an intake process established by the Department, and BJJS has complete oversight of this facility.

The Department is seeking to determine the viability of vendors that may be poised to operate WSTU and provide structured educational, recreational, therapeutic, and socialization/counseling components, as well as food service, and medical and dental services as outlined in Part 3. In addition, vendors shall provide a program of care that provides balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for offenses committed and the development of competencies to enable youth to become responsible and productive members of the community. BARJ concepts must form the philosophical and programmatic base of any proposed program.

PART 3. Request for Information Submission Format

Through this RFI, the Department is soliciting information and comments regarding the qualifications of potential vendors and proposed program components related to the operation of WSTU. All interested vendors are asked to respond in writing to this RFI, per the items outlined below.

3.1 Response Submission

Please prepare responses simply, providing straightforward and concise language and descriptions. All responses should be produced in 12-point font. Please limit your response to no more than 12 pages, not including the cover letter or attachments. Please refrain from sending marketing materials to the Department.

3.2 Cover Letter

Please include a cover letter with the following information:

1. An introduction to the respondent’s organization, background, and interest in juvenile justice and operation of secure residential treatment facilities for male youth.

2. General information about the respondent and respondent’s organization, to include an address and a point of contact along with a telephone number and an e-mail address.

3. A list of all secure treatment facilities that are currently being, or have previously been, operated by the respondent.

3.3 Conceptual Solutions and Strategies Response

The following provides a suggested structure for a response to this RFI. This structure is intended to minimize the effort required to develop and analyze submitted responses. Please address the following:

3.3.1 Background

Describe the respondent’s overall familiarity with the operation of secure, residential treatment facilities. The response should include, but is not limited to, details on operation of programs similar to WSTU (if applicable) and awareness of Chapter 3800 of the Human Services Code, 55 Pa. Code § 3800.1 et seq. and other relevant state and federal statutes.

3.3.2 Program Components

Please describe how services would be provided for each of the following programming components:

(a) Therapeutic services and counseling for youth

(b) Rehabilitative programs and services

(c) Aftercare

(d) Behavioral management, including incentives for youth

(e) Education

(f) Career training

(g) Recreation

(h) Unit life

(i) Food service

(j) Medical services

(k) Policies

3.3.3 Staffing

(a) Please describe the hiring and staffing plan for operation of this facility. The staffing plan should be broken down by position and include minimum experience and training required and highlight any key personnel (i.e. Program Director, Medical Director, etc.).

(b) Describe efforts to be taken for staff retention, including staff incentives (if applicable).

(c) Describe training plan for staff, including initial and on-going training efforts.

3.3.4 Information Technology

Describe how respondent will implement and maintain IT resources and entire availability to residents and staff.