RFP_10925.pdf

RFP #10925

Version: 25 Rev 02/10/25

Date: July 11, 2025

Subject: Department of Juvenile Justice (Department or DJJ) Solicitation # 10925 – Mental

Health and Substance Abuse Evaluation and Treatment Services Request for Proposals (RFP): The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and the Office of Probation and Community

Intervention are issuing this RFP for the provision of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Evaluation and Treatment Services to youth who reside in the awarded judicial circuit(s) and are referred by the Department. Evaluation services provided by the Respondent shall include mental health, substance abuse, and integrated mental health and substance abuse diagnostic evaluations, which shall result in a report submitted to the Department. Treatment services provided by the Respondent shall include individual, group, and family counseling/therapy services, to include individualized treatment plans; individualized treatment plan reviews; clinical case management, if needed; drug screenings/urinalyses, if applicable; monthly progress reports; discharge plans; and legal testimony, if needed. The Department intends to award multiple rate agreements in all 20 judicial circuits.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Evaluation Services shall be available to youth residing in the following identified circuits/county geographical areas:

Circuit DJJ Region Circuit 1 North Circuit 2 North Circuit 3 North Circuit 4 North Circuit 5 North Circuit 6 Central Circuit 7 North Circuit 8 North Circuit 9 Central Circuit 10 Central Circuit 11 South Circuit 12 Central Circuit 13 Central Circuit 14 North Circuit 15 South Circuit 16 South Circuit 17 South Circuit 18 Central Circuit 19 South Circuit 20 South

Upon ranking of qualified Respondents in each Circuit, the Department intends to make multiple awards per circuit. In the event that the Department receives no responses in a single service area (circuit), the Department reserves the right to negotiate in the best interest of the state.

The RFP package consists of this transmittal letter with the following attachments and exhibits (some of which are not included but are available electronically as noted):

1 Available at:

https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_pu rchasing_pur_forms 2 Available at: http://www.djj.state.fl.us/partners/procurement-and-contract-administration 3 Document uploaded as a separate document for the RFP and posted on the Vendor Information Portal.

4 Available at: http://www.djj.state.fl.us/partners/forms-library/contracts

PUR 1000[1] General Contract Conditions - Incorporated by Reference1 PUR 1001[1] General Instructions to Respondents - Incorporated by Reference1 Attachment A Services Sought Attachment B General Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Proposals Attachment C Special Conditions Attachment D Reserved Attachment E Reserved Attachment F Evaluation Criteria Attachment G Sample Rate Agreement Contract2 Attachment H Reserved Attachment I Proposed Treatment Modality (MANDATORY) Attachment J Price Sheet (MANDATORY) Attachment K Drug-Free Workplace Certification2

Attachment L PUR 1355 – Foreign Country of Concern Attestation3 (MANDATORY) Attachment M Notice of Intent to Attend Solicitation Conference Attachment N Notice of Intent to Submit a Response3 Attachment O RFP Proposal Cross Reference Table Attachment P Written Evaluation Questions/Considerations Attachment Q Proposal Verification Form3 Attachment R Certification of Experience Attachment S Tie Breaking Certifications3 Attachment T Client Contact List Attachment U Florida Certified Minority Business Enterprise (CMBE) Subcontracting Utilization

Plan2 Attachment V Reserved

Exhibit 1 Invoice2 Exhibit 2 Staff Hire Report2

Exhibit 3 Florida Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Utilization Report2

Exhibit 4 Staffing Qualifications and Educational Requirements Chart2

Exhibit 5 Pre-Service Training Plan2

Exhibit 6 Annual In-Service Training Plan2

Exhibit 7 Delinquency Interventions and Treatment Sessions Table2

Exhibit 8 Youth Census Report2

Exhibit 9 Staff Vacancy Report2

Respondents shall comply fully with the instructions on how to respond to the RFP.

Per subsection 287.057(25), Florida Statute (F.S.), Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of this solicitation and the end of the 72-hour period following the agency posting the notice of intended award, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, any employee or manager of the executive or legislative branch concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the Procurement Manager or as provided in the procurement documents.

Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a proposal. All communications from Respondents shall be in writing (by e-mail, or mail), and cite the subject solicitation number and be directed to the attention of the Procurement Manager below.

https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_purchasing_pur_forms https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_purchasing_pur_forms http://www.djj.state.fl.us/partners/procurement-and-contract-administration http://www.djj.state.fl.us/partners/forms-library/contracts

Any person with a qualified disability shall not be denied equal access and effective communication regarding any proposal/proposal documents or the attendance at any related meeting or proposal opening.

If accommodations are needed because of a disability, please contact the Procurement Manager for this RFP at (850) 717-2614 at least five business days prior to the meeting.

Terminated for Cause Exclusions In addition to other criteria set forth in this solicitation document, any Respondent, and any and all subsidiaries of the Respondent, that have had a contract terminated by the Department for cause is subject to the follow provisions below:

1) The 12-month period shall begin with the effective date of termination for cause, as delineated in the termination letter from the Department.

2) If terminated for cause in the last 12-month period preceding the Date Written Proposals Are Due and Opened for this solicitation, the Respondent shall be ruled disqualified and therefore ineligible to submit a response to the solicitation.

3) If terminated for cause in the last 12- month period preceding the Notice of Intended Award resulting from this solicitation, the Respondent shall be ruled disqualified and therefore ineligible to receive a contract award.

4) The above applies regardless of the business structure (for profit/not for profit) or the dates the corporations were created.

One Florida Initiative Requirement The “One Florida Initiative” was developed in an effort to increase diversity and opportunities in state contracting without using discriminatory policies. If a Respondent(s) is awarded a Contract resulting from this solicitation, answers to the following questions may be due to the Department prior to Contract execution:

1) Does your organization have a Small Business Administration 8(a) certification? Yes (Y) / No (N) If Y, then proceed no further with these questions.

2) Is your organization a non-profit? Y/N If Y, then proceed no further with these questions.

3) Does your organization have more than 200 permanent full-time employees (including the permanent full-time staff of any affiliates)? Y/N If Y, then proceed no further with these questions.

4) Does your organization have a net worth of $5 million or more (including the value of any affiliates)?

Y/N

Sincerely, Brian Chambless, Procurement Manager Bureau of Procurement and Contract Administration Florida Department of Juvenile Justice The Knight Building, Suite 1100 2737 Centerview Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3100 Telephone: 850-717-2614 Fax: 850- 414-1625 E-Mail Address: Brian.Chambless@fldjj.gov mailto:Brian.Chambless@fldjj.gov

ATTACHMENT A

SERVICES SOUGHT

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A. General Overview The Respondent shall provide Mental Health and Substance Abuse Evaluation and Treatment Services to youth who reside in the awarded judicial circuit(s) and are referred by the Department. Evaluation services provided by the Respondent shall include mental health, substance abuse, and integrated mental health and substance abuse diagnostic evaluations, which shall result in a report submitted to the Department. If indicated by the diagnostic evaluation, the Respondent shall provide mental health, substance abuse, or integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment services to the youth. Treatment services provided by the Respondent shall include individual, group, and family counseling/ therapy services, to include individualized treatment plans; individualized treatment plan reviews; clinical case management, if needed; drug screenings/urinalyses, if applicable;

monthly progress reports; discharge plans; and legal testimony, if needed.

B. Description of Services

1. The Respondent shall conduct a mental health, substance abuse, or integrated mental health and substance abuse diagnostic evaluation within ten (10) business days after the receipt of a complete referral form and required attachments from the Department. The diagnostic evaluation shall identify the presence, nature, and complexity of any mental and/or substance use disorder(s) and, if indicated, outline the youth’s treatment needs. A diagnostic evaluation report shall be provided to the youth’s assigned Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO) within twelve (12) business days after the receipt of a complete referral, including the required attachments.

2. If indicated by the results of the diagnostic evaluation, the Respondent shall develop an individualized treatment plan (ITP) based on the youth’s individual treatment needs, risks, and strengths. The ITP shall identify the selected treatment modality and include individual, group, and/or family counseling/therapy services, as required by the selected modality; available treatment modalities shall be approved by the Department and included in the resultant Rate Agreement.

3. The Respondent shall provide individual, family, and/or group mental health, substance abuse, or integrated mental health and substance abuse counseling/ therapy as specified in the youth’s ITP and in accordance with the selected treatment modality identified by the Respondent. Counseling/therapy shall begin within five (5) business days after submission of the diagnostic evaluation report to the youth’s assigned JPO, unless treatment is delayed by the Department (e.g., if the diagnostic evaluation was requested to inform a pending disposition); any such delay shall be requested by the Department in writing (email acceptable).

4. The Respondent shall conduct counseling/therapy sessions at the frequency and for the duration prescribed by the selected treatment modality, or less, as clinically indicated for each youth. Counseling/therapy sessions shall be conducted by an individual who meets the licensure and training requirements established by the selected modality; counseling/therapy must adhere to the selected modality.

5. Treatment services provided to each youth by the Respondent shall include a monthly ITP review; clinical case management activities (up to four per month); a monthly drug screening/urinalysis (if applicable based on the treatment needs);

and a monthly progress report. The Respondent shall develop an individualized discharge plan at the conclusion of treatment services.

6. The Respondent shall provide legal testimony as needed; legal testimony may be required as a result of any evaluation or treatment service provided to any youth under the terms of the resultant Rate Agreement; testimony may be required after a youth has been discharged. Legal testimony shall be billed at the rate established in the resultant Rate Agreement, not to exceed five hours per appearance.

7. The Respondent shall provide or arrange for youth to receive immediate crisis intervention and/or emergency mental health and/or substance abuse services, pursuant to Chapter 394 and/or 397, Florida Statutes (F.S.), as necessary. Youth who are identified with suicide risk factors shall also be referred for an Assessment of Suicide Risk (ASR). The Respondent shall notify the youth’s assigned JPO of any crisis intervention, emergency mental health and/or substance abuse services, or referral for an ASR within one (1) business day after the occurrence.

C. Authority Authority for the Department to provide mental health and substance abuse evaluation and treatment services is granted in sections 985.145(3) and 985.601(3)(a), F.S. Services provided under the resultant Rate Agreement shall be conducted in accordance with Florida Statutes, including, but not limited to, Chapters 394 and 397, F.S.; Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), including, but not limited to Chapters 63N-1 and 65D-30, F.A.C.; and the resultant Rate Agreement, including requirements for referenced treatment modalities, as determined by the publisher, developer, or owner of each modality.

D. Limits on Services

1. Services provided under the resultant Rate Agreement shall be limited to youth referred by the Department and their families.

2. Diagnostic evaluations shall be limited to one (1) for each youth referred, unless otherwise requested in writing by the Department (email acceptable).

3. Treatment services shall be limited to youth whose diagnostic evaluation indicates a need for treatment services.

4. Treatment services shall be limited to the treatment modality(ies) approved by the

Department and included in the resultant Rate Agreement.

5. Counseling/therapy sessions shall be limited to the type(s) (i.e., individual, family, and/or group) prescribed by the selected treatment modality. Counseling/therapy sessions shall be limited to the length, frequency, and duration prescribed by the selected treatment modality, or less, as clinically indicated for each youth.

6. If the Respondent is a Medicaid provider and the referred youth is a Medicaid recipient, the Respondent shall bill Medicaid as a first-party payee for eligible services. If a referred youth has third-party insurance, the Respondent, if they accept the insurance, shall bill the youth’s third-party insurance as a first-party payee for eligible services. Otherwise, the Respondent may bill the Department for services at the rates established in the resultant Rate Agreement.

II. YOUTH TO BE SERVED

A. Description of Youth to be Served The Respondent shall provide services to all youth referred by the Department who reside in the awarded judicial circuit(s). Youth referred for mental health and substance abuse evaluation and treatment services shall be under the supervision of the Department, on Probation, Conditional Release (CR), or Post-Commitment Probation (PCP), and between the ages of twelve (12) and nineteen (19). The Department may refer youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system under other legal statuses, which may include youth who are on intake status; youth on intake status may be referred for a diagnostic evaluation for the purposes of informing the court of the youth’s treatment needs for a pending disposition. Youth younger than twelve (12) years of age or older than nineteen (19) years of age may be referred upon mutual agreement of the Respondent and the Department.

B. Youth Referrals

1. Referrals for evaluations will be sent to the Respondent via an automated email from the Department’s Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS). The automated email from JJIS will contain the following attachments, when available:

a. JJIS Face Sheet;

b. Arrest affidavit(s), violation(s) of probation, and transfer request(s);

c. Victim statement(s);

d. Most recent Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument - Second Version

(MAYSI-2);

e. Most recent Suicide Risk Screening Instrument (SRSI);

f. Most recent Human Trafficking Screening Tool (HTST);

g. Most recent Community Assessment Tool (CAT) Overview Report;

h. Prior assessments available to the Department (e.g., comprehensive assessment, comprehensive evaluation, psychological, biopsychosocial);

i. Prior medical information available to the Department (i.e., medical history and/or results of a medical exam after obtaining release, when necessary), as permissible by a release of information form(s);

j. Prior mental health and/or substance abuse treatment records available to the Department;

k. School information (e.g., statewide assessment scores, Individual Education Plan [IEP], Progress Monitoring Plan [PMP], 504 Plan, Educational Plan [EP], English Language Learner [ELL] Plan, exceptional student education [ESE] plan(s), intelligence quotient [IQ] scores or ratings, grades, and behavior and attendance records), as permissible by a release of information form(s) and/or interagency agreement(s) between the Department and the local school district;

l. History of employment and vocational training;

m. Most recent Pre-/Post-Disposition Report (PDR);

n. Signed Authority for Evaluation and Treatment (AET) form; and

o. Release of information form(s).

2. Referrals for evaluations do not result in a JJIS placement. The Respondent shall contact the JPO via telephone or email to confirm receipt of the referral. If the Respondent does not receive the required information, as outlined above, the Respondent shall contact the JPO to request the missing information and document any extenuating circumstances that would not allow completion of the diagnostic evaluation in the required timeframe.

3. Upon submission of the diagnostic evaluation report to the JPO, the Respondent shall, if indicated by the diagnostic evaluation, request that the JPO refer the youth to the Respondent through JJIS for treatment services. If necessary, the Respondent may request that the referral for treatment services include any information or documentation that was not provided with the evaluation referral.

4. Referrals for treatment services will be sent to the Respondent via an automated email from JJIS. Unless specifically requested by the Respondent, the automated email will not contain any attachments.

5. Referrals for treatment services result in a JJIS placement. The Respondent shall accept the referral in JJIS and place the youth in the appropriate program within three (3) business days after receiving the automated email from JJIS.

6. The Respondent shall reject any referrals for treatment services that were not precipitated by an evaluation conducted by the Respondent, unless special circumstances exist (e.g., a youth who is already participating in treatment services moving between circuits) and the youth is referred upon mutual agreement of the Respondent and the Department’s Chief Probation Officer (CPO).

C. Limits on Youth to be Served

1. Only youth referred by the Department and their families are eligible to be served by the Respondent under the resultant Rate Agreement.

2. For services rendered to a youth who is a Medicaid recipient or has third-party insurance, the Department shall only pay for services that are not eligible for coverage under Medicaid or the third-party insurance.

3. Youth may receive treatment services for up to six (6) months. 90-day extensions may be requested if additional time is needed for the youth to receive the full benefit of treatment services. Extension requests shall be submitted to the JPO in writing (email acceptable) no less than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the end of the six (6) months (or most recent 90-day extension, if appliable). Requests shall include the reason(s) why the youth should continue services and an estimate of the additional service period. The first extension must be approved by the CPO;

second and subsequent extensions must be approved by the Regional Director.

III. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

A. Mental Health Diagnostic Evaluations

1. Mental health diagnostic evaluations shall include information about the youth’s symptoms of mental disorder through a structured face-to-face clinical interview (telehealth is not authorized), administration of appropriate standardized mental health assessment instruments, and clinical evaluation.

2. The Respondent shall provide a diagnosis(ses) from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) (or most recent version of the DSM), with specifiers and additional DSM codes when criteria is met as evidenced by the standardized assessments and clinical evaluation.

3. Mental health diagnostic evaluations shall include the following components:

a. Reason for the evaluation;

b. Relevant family background information, including home environment, family functioning, and history of mental health and/or substance-related disorders within the family and/or by caregivers;

c. History of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, domestic violence, or other forms of trauma;

d. Current life situation and sources of stress (e.g., family, peers, etc.);

e. Mental health diagnosis and treatment history, including diagnoses, outpatient care, psychotropic prescription medication(s) and dosage(s), and psychiatric inpatient admissions and treatment;

f. History of substance abuse and/or treatment;

g. Medical history, including relevant medical diagnoses, treatment, and information on prescription medications used to treat physical conditions;

h. Educational information, including current grade level; history of academic enrollment, attendance, behavior, and performance; retentions; history of developmental disabilities; ESE status; and special needs status;

i. Current functioning and symptoms, including mental status examination;

j. DSM-5-TR (or most recent version of the DSM) diagnosis(ses); and

k. Individualized treatment recommendations for the diagnosis(ses).

B. Substance Abuse Diagnostic Evaluations

1. Substance abuse diagnostic evaluations shall include information about the youth’s symptoms of substance use disorder through a structured face-to-face clinical interview (telehealth is not authorized), administration of appropriate standardized substance abuse assessment instruments, and clinical evaluation.

2. The Respondent shall provide a diagnosis(ses) from the DSM-5-TR (or most recent version of the DSM), with specifiers and additional DSM codes when criteria is met as evidenced by the standardized assessments and clinical evaluation.

3. Substance abuse diagnostic evaluations shall include the following components:

a. Reason for the diagnostic evaluation;

b. Relevant family background information, including home environment, family functioning, and history of mental health and/or substance-related disorders within the family and/or by caregivers;

c. History of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, domestic violence, or other forms of trauma;

d. Current life situation and sources of stress (e.g., family, peers, etc.);

e. History of substance use, including age of onset, drug(s) of choice, patterns of use, and types and duration of use;

f. Youth’s access to substances, including peers and home;

g. Substance abuse treatment history, including inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment, history of withdrawal, response to treatment, and recovery support;

h. Mental health diagnosis and treatment history, including diagnoses, outpatient care, psychotropic prescription medication(s) and dosage(s), and psychiatric inpatient admissions and treatment;

i. Medical history, including relevant medical diagnoses, treatment, and information on prescription medications used to treat physical conditions;

j. Educational information, including current grade level; history of academic enrollment, attendance, behavior, and performance; retentions; history of developmental disabilities; ESE status; and special needs status;

k. Current functioning and symptoms, including mental status examination;

l. DSM-5-TR (or most recent version of the DSM) diagnosis(ses); and

m. Individualized treatment recommendations for the diagnosis(ses).

C. Integrated Mental Health and Substance Abuse Diagnostic Evaluations Integrated mental health and substance abuse diagnostic evaluations shall include information about the youth’s symptoms of mental and substance use disorders through a structured face-to-face clinical interview (telehealth is not authorized), administration of appropriate standardized mental health and substance abuse assessment instruments, and clinical evaluation. Integrated mental health and substance abuse diagnostic evaluations shall include all components required of mental health diagnostic evaluations, as shown in Section III., A., Mental Health Diagnostic Evaluations, of this attachment, and all components required of substance abuse diagnostic evaluations, as shown in Section III., B., Substance Abuse Diagnostic Evaluations, of this attachment.

D. Diagnostic Evaluation Reports For all youth referred for a mental health diagnostic evaluation, substance abuse diagnostic evaluation, or integrated mental health and substance abuse diagnostic evaluation, the Respondent shall submit a report of the findings of the evaluation to the youth’s JPO within twelve (12) business days after the receipt of a complete referral, including the required attachments. Upon submission of the diagnostic evaluation report to the JPO, the Respondent shall, if indicated by the diagnostic evaluation, request that the JPO refer the youth to the Respondent through JJIS for treatment services. Reports are required regardless of whether or not the evaluation indicated a need for treatment services.

E. Individualized Treatment Plans

1. The Respondent shall develop an individualized treatment plan (ITP) for each youth whose mental health diagnostic evaluation indicates a significant mental health disorder; each youth whose substance abuse diagnostic evaluation indicates a significant substance abuse disorder; and each youth whose integrated mental health and substance abuse diagnostic evaluation indicates a significant co-occurring mental disorder and substance use disorder.

2. All individual treatment plans shall include the following elements:

a. The youth’s diagnosis(ses) from the DSM-5-TR (or most recent version of the DSM), with specifiers and additional DSM codes;

b. The specific symptoms that will be the focus of the treatment;

c. Treatment goals (written in achievable and measurable terms) that are related to the diagnosis(ses) or additional codes; responsive to the youth’s symptoms of mental and/or substance use disorder; and address specific behaviors, symptoms, skill deficits, strengths, and needs of the youth;

d. The selected treatment modality, including individual, group, and/or family counseling/therapy services required by the selected modality; and

e. The youth’s functional strengths, abilities, preferences, and needs that may affect their success in treatment.

3. Individual treatment plans for integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment shall be developed with the input of both mental health and substance abuse clinical staff who understand the dynamics and challenges of a dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorder. The ITP shall include interventions and strategies demonstrated effective in the treatment of dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders.

F. Treatment Modalities Treatment services shall be provided in the manner prescribed by the selected treatment modality, including, but not limited to, the curriculum/methodology prescribed by the publisher/developer/owner of the modality; minimum qualifications and specific training required to deliver the modality; type(s) of counseling/therapy (i.e., individual, family, and/or group); frequency and length of counseling/therapy sessions; and duration of counseling/ therapy. Treatment modalities used by the Respondent shall be approved by the Department and included in the resultant Rate Agreement. The Respondent may request to add/replace treatment modalities during the term of the resultant Rate Agreement. Such requests shall be submitted to the Department in writing (email acceptable) and shall be approved by the Department in writing (email acceptable) prior to implementation. The modality proposed must be recognized on the Department’s Research Informed and Best Practices webpage (https://www.djj.state.fl.us/partners-providers-staff/programming-and-technical-assistance-unit/research-informed-and-best-practices) as a clinical intervention, Other Mental Health and Substance Abuse Clinical Treatment, or Treatment Model Recommended by the Office of Health Services (OHS); if the requested modality is not recognized by the Department at the time of the request, the modality must be added to the webpage prior to approval and implementation. Changes in treatment modalities do not require an amendment to the resultant Rate Agreement. The unit rate for individual, family, and/or group counseling/ therapy sessions for added treatment modalities shall not https://www.djj.state.fl.us/partners-providers-staff/programming-and-technical-assistance-unit/research-informed-and-best-practices https://www.djj.state.fl.us/partners-providers-staff/programming-and-technical-assistance-unit/research-informed-and-best-practices exceed the highest unit rate for the same service in the resultant Rate Agreement. The Respondent shall be responsible for entering data in the Department’s Evidence-Based Services (EBS) module for the treatment modality(ies) provided under this provision.

G. Counseling/Therapy Counseling/therapy shall focus on the symptoms of the youth’s mental and/or substance use disorder(s), or additional DSM codes, as indicated by the diagnostic evaluation, which have been identified as treatment goals and objectives in the youth’s ITP. The Respondent shall conduct individual, family, and/or group counseling/therapy sessions in the manner prescribed by the selected treatment modality.

1. Individual Counseling/Therapy

a. Individual mental health counseling/therapy shall focus on resolving issues that impact functioning and interfere with the youth’s daily living, helping the youth develop an understanding of mental health and address emotional and behavioral functioning and needs, and creating an understanding of how to utilize positive coping skills.

b. Individual substance abuse counseling/therapy shall focus on resolving issues that impact functioning and interfere with the youth’s daily living, addressing the challenges of addiction and recovery, fostering an understanding of the reasoning behind addiction, and creating an understanding of how to utilize positive coping skills.

c. Individual integrated mental health and substance abuse counseling/ therapy shall focus on the goals for individual mental health counseling/ therapy and individual substance abuse counseling/therapy, as described in the preceding subparagraphs, to address co-occurring disorders.

d. The Respondent shall report the youth’s attendance and participation to the JPO within three (3) business days after each individual session (or scheduled individual session, if the youth failed to attend).

e. Billable units for individual counseling/therapy shall not exceed six (6) 15-minute units per session (i.e., 90 minutes).

2. Family Counseling/Therapy

a. Family counseling/therapy shall address the youth’s mental and/or substance use disorder(s), including co-occurring disorders, if appliable, and shall focus on developing positive communication skills, identifying and processing family issues that have a negative impact on the youth and family functioning; foster youth and family coping, problem-solving, and resiliency; and improve the youth’s and family’s functioning.

b. The Respondent shall report the youth and parent’s/guardian’s attendance and participation to the JPO within three (3) business days after each family session (or scheduled family session, if the youth and/or parent/guardian failed to attend).

c. Billable units for group counseling/therapy shall not exceed six (6) 15-minute units per session (i.e., 90 minutes).

3. Group Counseling/Therapy

a. Group mental health counseling/therapy shall focus on the youth’s distressing symptoms and underlying feelings that impact the youth’s behavioral patterns, coping skills, and self-understanding. Groups shall not exceed twelve (12) youth per session. Group sessions shall address:

i. Key symptoms and problem areas;

ii. Underlying mental health and family issues;

iii. Youth strengths and risk factors;

iv. Development of positive coping skills;

v. Examining underlying feelings (e.g., anger, frustration, fear, disappointment, sadness) and associated behaviors; and

vi. Improving the ability to communicate feelings and function in a more effective manner.

b. Group substance abuse counseling/therapy shall focus on changing thinking patterns, beliefs, and perceptions associated with substance abuse and assist youth in developing coping skills, strategies, and social networks that support continued abstinence and recovery. Groups shall not exceed fifteen (15) youth per session. Group sessions shall address:

i. Reasons for substance use and abuse;

ii. Making positive changes (friends, behavior, relationships, etc.);

iii. Understanding positive and negative coping skills;

iv. Decreasing substance misuse, harm reduction, and sober living activities;

v. Overdose prevention, when appropriate;

vi. Relapse prevention, including development of a relapse prevention plan (i.e., how to avoid using substances and who to call for help, support groups, professional services, development of a sober peer network, etc.); and

vii. Changing the youth’s focus from usage of drugs/alcohol to positive activities in the community.

c. Group integrated mental health and substance abuse counseling/ therapy shall address the goals for group mental health counseling/ therapy and group substance abuse counseling/therapy, as described in the preceding subparagraphs, to address co-occurring disorders.

d. The Respondent shall report the youth’s attendance and participation to the JPO within three (3) business days after each group session (or scheduled group session, if the youth failed to attend).

e. Billable units for group counseling/therapy shall not exceed six (6) 15-minute units per session (i.e., 90 minutes).

H. Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) Reviews

1. ITP reviews shall assess the youth’s progress in meeting their treatment goals and objectives and ascertain whether modifications to the treatment plan are needed.

2. ITP reviews shall be conducted at least once every sixty (60) calendar days. ITP reviews may be conducted more frequently, not to exceed once per month, when updates to treatment goal(s) or objective(s) are clinically justified.

3. ITP reviews must be signed and dated by the youth and a mental health clinical staff person (for mental health treatment) or substance abuse clinical staff person (for substance abuse treatment), and must be reviewed and signed “as reviewer” by a licensed mental health professional (for mental health treatment) or “qualified professional” (for substance abuse treatment) within ten (10) calendar days of the review.

4. Any modifications made to the ITP shall be documented on the ITP review form and shall be clearly and specifically identified as a modification to the ITP.

I. Clinical Case Management

1. Clinical case management services must be authorized by OHS in writing (email acceptable) for each youth prior to implementation. Clinical case management services may be provided for eligible youth with complex issues and needs, including, but not limited to:

a. Youth who are receiving juvenile sex offender treatment provided by a

Department-approved provider;

b. Youth with severe psychiatric disturbance (e.g., schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder severe, reactive attachment disorder [RAD] severe, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] severe, major depressive disorder [MDD] severe, or intermittent explosive disorder [IED] severe). Specifiers, when applicable, must be in the severe category in order to be considered a complex case;

c. Youth with acute intentional self-harm behavior and/or a recent suicide attempt(s) that have been serious;

d. Youth with co-occurring disorders, one of which must be severe (e.g., opioid use disorder [OUD] severe, in partial remission and co-occurring with MDD moderate; or intellectual disability and RAD severe);

e. Youth currently placed, or in danger of being placed, in DCF foster care;

(Youth who have remained stable in a relative placement for over one year are not considered complex in most instances without clinical justification.)

f. Youth who have been diagnosed with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, or other developmental disability;

g. Pregnant youth with diagnosed moderate to severe mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorder (mild to severe);

h. Young mothers with postpartum depression;

i. Youth who are homeless or residing in a Children in Need of Services/

Families in Need of Services (CINS/FINS) shelter placement;

j. Youth who are hospitalized under a Baker Act or Marchman Act while receiving services in a current program; and

k. Youth who the Department has verified are victims of human trafficking.

2. Clinical case management activities shall be conducted by the youth’s counselor/ therapist and involve complex consultation and coordination with other healthcare providers, school personnel, attorneys, juvenile probation officers, other agencies, and the youth’s family to assist in ensuring necessary clinical services and supports are in place for the youth. The clinician shall utilize their clinical expertise and professional skills to facilitate communication and promote coordinated services and continuity of care for the youth and family.

3. Clinical case management services activities may include, but is not limited to:

a. Communicating critical clinical information to the youth’s healthcare provider, school personnel, or other service providers (with appropriate consent as required under state and federal law);

b. Linking and facilitating necessary clinical services for the youth and family;

c. Coordinating the delivery of clinical services to assist in continuity of care for the youth and family; and

d. Participating in planning and discharge activities pertaining to the youth conducted at school or other programs.

4. Clinical case management services are limited to four (4) activities per month.

J. Drug Screening/Urinalysis The Respondent shall conduct presumptive drug screening through urinalysis as needed to monitor the youth and meet the goals and objectives of the ITP. The frequency and scope of resumptive drug screening shall be sufficient for treatment services, as indicated by the diagnostic evaluation and ITP, as well as the requirements of the selected treatment modality, if applicable. The Respondent shall report the results of the drug screening to the JPO within three (3) business days of receiving the results. The Respondent shall report a youth’s refusal to submit to drug screening or failure to appear for drug screening within three (3) business days of the youth’s refusal or failure to appear. The rate established in the resultant Rate Agreement shall be inclusive of all activities related to drug screening, including, but not limited to, equipment, specimen collection, analysis, and reporting, regardless of whether the drug screening is conducted by the Respondent or a third party.

K. Monthly Progress Report The Respondent shall submit monthly progress reports for each youth receiving treatment services under the resultant Rate Agreement. Monthly progress reports shall be submitted to the youth’s JPO within ten (10) calendar days after the end of the reporting calendar month. Monthly progress reports shall include the youth’s name and Department of Juvenile Justice identification number (DJJID); number of individual, family, and/or group sessions conducted; service dates (including sessions missed by the youth and/or parent/guardian); a description of ITP goals and objectives achieved during the reporting calendar month; and a summary of the youth’s progress and/or noncompliance since the previous monthly progress report.

L. Discharge Plan An individualized discharge plan shall be developed prior to discharge for each youth who receives counseling/therapy services under the resultant Rate Agreement. Discharge plans shall include a treatment summary that documents the focus and course of the youth’s mental health, substance abuse, or integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment. Discharge plan shall also document recommendations for mental health and/or substance abuse services upon the youth’s discharge from services delivered by the Respondent. Discharge plans shall contain the following elements:

1. The start and end dates of treatment services provided by the Respondent;

2. The youth’s relevant mental health and/or substance abuse history;

3. The reason for the youth’s discharge from treatment services;

4. The problems that were the focus of treatment services;

5. The course of treatment and the youth’s progress in treatment;

6. The youth’s pre- and post-treatment diagnosis(ses) from the DSM-5-TR (or most recent version of the DSM) and additional DSM codes;

7. The youth’s continued mental health and/or substance abuse service needs and treatment recommendations; and

8. Any follow-up appointments scheduled for the youth, including the contact names and telephone numbers for the providers that will be treating the youth.

M. Legal Testimony

1. The Respondent acknowledges that services performed under the resultant Rate Agreement are for youth under jurisdiction of the Department, and as such, the Respondent may receive written/verbal requests or legal subpoenas from the court, state attorney’s office, public defender’s office, and/or other judicial entities to provide testimony regarding the evaluation and treatment services performed.

2. The Respondent shall ensure that qualified personnel are available to provide such expert testimony and that qualified personnel responds timely and/or appears as stipulated in the request and/or subpoena. The Respondent shall immediately notify the CPO or designee upon receipt of any subpoena involving or affecting the Department. In addition, if unavoidable circumstances result in the personnel not being able to appear, the CPO or designee shall be notified as soon as possible regarding the potential failure to appear.

3. The Respondent may bill the Department for actual hours spent on preparation, travel, and waiting time prior to testimony, not to exceed five (5) hours, at the rate established in the resultant Rate Agreement. The Respondent shall document time spent by the date and hours worked when submitting an invoice for legal testimony and provide a copy of the request (email request acceptable) or the legal subpoena. If the request was verbal, the Respondent shall request a written email request from the CPO or designee.

N. Crisis Intervention and Emergency Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services The Respondent must provide or arrange for youth who exhibit symptoms or behaviors which indicate the need for crisis intervention or emergency mental health or substance abuse services to receive such services in accordance with Chapter 394 and/or 397, F.S.

Crisis intervention and emergency mental health and substance abuse services include:

1. The Respondent shall immediately contact emergency medical services (e.g., 911) in the event of a mental health and/or substance abuse emergency that requires emergency medical treatment. Any youth suspected of substance intoxication or withdrawal symptoms must receive immediate medical attention.

2. Procedures shall be in place for contacting a Mobile Response Team (MRT), local law enforcement, or authorized transportation service to transport a youth believed to be mentally ill from the Respondent’s location to a mental health receiving facility, as specified in the local transportation plan under Chapter 394, F.S.

3. Procedures shall be in place for the transportation of a youth who is believed to be substance abuse impaired for emergency admission to a hospital, licensed detoxification facility, or addictions receiving facility, pursuant to Chapter 397, F.S.

4. Procedures shall be in place for youth who are identified with suicide risk factors to be referred for an Assessment of Suicide Risk (ASR).

5. The Respondent shall notify the youth’s assigned JPO of any crisis intervention, emergency mental health and/or substance abuse services, or referral for an ASR within one (1) business days after the occurrence.

O. Telehealth Parameters Telehealth services may only be provided if the following requirements are met:

1. Telehealth may be provided by a licensed mental health professional, registered intern, or provisional licensee under the Florida Department of Health, and must comply with section 456.47, F.S., and Chapter 65D-30, F.A.C.

2. Telehealth services must comply with Chapter 63N-1, F.A.C., where applicable, and the requirements of the resultant Rate Agreement. All references to the term “face-to-face” require services to be provided in person.

3. All clinical staff who use telehealth shall have training completed in the ethical use of telehealth prior to the provision of services. Documentation of completed training shall be provided to OHS and the Department’s Contract Manager.

4. All assessment tools and evaluations must be completed in person.

5. Collateral information to support assessments and evaluations may be obtained virtually (e.g., parent interview, etc.).

6. The clinician shall assess every client on a case-by-case basis to determine if telehealth is clinically appropriate. Considerations include, but are not limited to:

a. Active psychosis;

b. Active self-harm, crisis, or suicidality;

c. Abuse/neglect or domestic violence involving household members;

d. Developmental disability, sensory deficits, or communication disorders;

e. Substance use or intoxication during sessions; and

f. Active court orders that limit the use of technology. (The Respondent may work with JPO to request an exception for counseling/therapy sessions).

7. If the youth or the youth’s parent/guardian requests or prefers in-person services, then the Respondent shall conduct all services in person. These cases may not be rejected by the Respondent due to the family’s preference. Youth assent (or consent for substance use treatment) and parent/guardian consent forms shall reflect the youth and parent’s/guardian’s agreement with the use of telehealth.

8. The Respondent must make appropriate provisions for low-income families to have telehealth, at no cost to the family or the Department, if telehealth is preferred by the youth and family.

9. The Respondent must document clinical outcomes through pre-/post-testing related to diagnosis or symptom expression (e.g., Beck’s Depression Inventory II, etc.) and data/results/reports shall be provided to the Department with the invoices.

10. The Respondent must be able to ensure that confidentiality is maintained throughout the duration of all telehealth sessions.

11. The Respondent must ensure proper documentation is completed as required by the resultant Rate Agreement to show the services were provided, such as the use of sign-in documentation.

12. The Respondent must utilize a telehealth platform with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant technology that ensures secure audio videoconferencing, data privacy, and inclusion of business associate agreement for telehealth services.

13. Any mental health or substance abuse manualized curriculum must be approved by developer or representative for use via telehealth.

14. Telehealth may be used for individual and family therapy, but not group therapy.

P. Records and Documentation

1. Records Retention The Respondent shall maintain programmatic and administrative books, records, and documents (including electronic storage media) for a minimum of five years in accordance with Chapters 119 and 257, F.S., and the Florida Department of State General Records Schedules located at https://dos.fl.gov/library-archives/records-management/general-records-schedules/. The Respondent shall maintain youth records which are programmatic in nature in a secure location with access limited to duly authorized Department and Respondent staff. Upon expiration of the resultant Rate Agreement, the Respondent shall return all youth records to the Department. The Respondent shall ensure these records are available at reasonable times to inspection, review, or audit by state and federal personnel and other personnel duly authorized by the Department. In the event any work is subcontracted, the Respondent shall require each subcontractor to maintain and allow access to such records for audit purposes in the same manner. The Respondent shall retain sufficient records demonstrating its compliance with the terms of the resultant Rate Agreement for a period of five years from the date the audit report is issued, and shall allow the Department or its designee, Chief Financial Officer, or Auditor General access to such records upon request. The Respondent must ensure that all working papers are made available to the Department or its designee, Department of Financial Services, or Auditor General https://dos.fl.gov/library-archives/records-management/general-records-schedules/ https://dos.fl.gov/library-archives/records-management/general-records-schedules/ upon request for a period of three years from the date the audit report is issued, unless extended in writing by the Department.

2. Transfer of Records Upon completion or termination of the resultant Rate Agreement, the Respondent shall cooperate with the Department to facilitate the transfer and return of records to the Department, at no cost to the Department.