requiredDSSrfrprovisions0106.doc

DSS RFR - Required Specifications

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES ATTACHMENT:

REPORTS AND APPLICABLE STATUTES, REGULATIONS, and POLICIES/ PROCEDURES

It is the provider’s responsibility to adhere to and have the internal control procedures to appropriately access all applicable state and federal statutes, and including but not limited to the reports and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies/procedures noted in this RFR. It is the responsibility of the provider to inform their staff and provide training to their staff when changes occur.

Providers are required to comply with all applicable state and federal statutes and regulations, including but not limited to the following:

FEDERAL STATUTES

(2) 42 USC (620 et. seq.

Child and Family Services

(3) 42 USC (670 et. seq.

Foster Care and Adoption Assistance (as applicable)

(5) 42 USC (1397 et. seq.

Block Grants to States for Social Services (as applicable)

(6) 20 USC ( 6081 et. seq.

Smoke Free Facilities (Child Care and Development block Grant)

MASSACHUSETTS STATUTES

(1) G.L. c. 18B, (1 et. seq.

Department of Social Services

(2) G.L. c. 112, (§ 135 – 135B Confidential Communications Disclosure Prohibited; Exceptions; Testimonial Privilege

(5) G.L. c. 119, (1 et. seq.

Protection and Care of Children, and Proceedings Against Them

(6) G.L. c. 28A, (1 et. seq.

Office of Child Care Services (Currently Department of Early Education and Care)

MASSACHUSETTS REGULATIONS

(1) 110 CMR 1.00 et. seq.

Department of Social Services

POLICIES, PROCEDURES, REPORTS

1. Policy, procedures, protocols and guidance including those set forth in DSS Service-Specific Manuals, such as, but not limited to, Case Practice and Policy Manual, Administration and Fiscal Procedures manual.

2. Policy, procedures, protocols and guidelines established by the Department of Early Education and Care and/or the Department of Education, where applicable to the specific program model.

3. Reports may be reasonably requested by DSS on a regular or Ad-hoc basis pursuant to its obligation to monitor and evaluate purchased services and client progress.

4. For contracts with maximum obligations, DSS may perform a service utilization review covering the first nine months of service delivery or other period of time for which service delivery data is available. If this review indicates underutilization, DSS may decrease the compensation under the contract. This decrease may include projected underutilization for the entire contract period. The Department will notify the Provider in writing of the decrease by means of a contract amendment form that specifies the decreased maximum compensation.

5. The Provider will not charge or accept a fee for service from a recipient of services under this contract. Only upon written notification from the Department will the Provider charge fees for services delivered under this contract in accordance with procedures set forth in the contract or as determined by the Department.

6. Ready Payment Program Policies (maximum obligation contracts only) - Ready Payment contract invoices and supporting documentation must be received at the designated Department of Social Services office by the 10th of each month following the month of service delivery, (or by the next business day if the 10th of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or Holiday). Should the contractor fail to submit invoices and supporting documentation in accordance with these timelines for 2 consecutive months, the contract will be suspended from the Ready Payment program for the remainder of the Fiscal Year.

In order for a contract to be eligible for Ready Payments during a Fiscal Year, the contract period of performance must be equal to or greater than four months duration.

For Contractors for whom DSS is the Principal Purchasing Agency, who fail to fully and completely meet Prequalification submission requirements by the designated due date, renewal year contracts or original contracts will be initially ineligible to participate in the Ready Payment Program. Once the contractor has met Prequalification submission requirements to the satisfaction of the Department of Social Services and the contracts have been approved by the Comptroller’s Office, the contractor may request a contract amendment(s) for purposes of Ready Payment Program participation. Ready Payment total contract invoices submitted by a contractor which do not total at least 75% of two base payments for the total contract, will be referred to the DSS contract manager for resolution and action. Ready Payment contract line invoices submitted by a contractor which do not total at least 75% of two base payments for the contract line, will be referred to the DSS contract manager for resolution and action.

DSS 12/27/05