RFP 19-1905 FTBS Branch.doc

RFP Number: 190000001905

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Grants and Purchasing

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

Actual Cost Unit Rate/Actual Cost Unit Rate Unit Rate/Per Diem

Proposal Submission

All proposals with related material must be submitted electronically using the SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS) website. For technical assistance when entering proposals, contact the State of Michigan VSS Support Center at (888) 734-9749 or SIGMA- Vendor@michigan.gov.

The Contractor (awarded bidder) must deliver human services to referred clients in the above geographic area, and have direct service providers based within 75 miles of the geographic area for the duration of the contract.

Disqualifying Criteria:

The bidder will be disqualified and the proposal will not be reviewed if there is failure to:

· Submit a complete proposal and Schedule B Pricing Matrix to the SIGMA VSS website on or before the bid closing date and time specified.

· Stay at or below the maximum award amount per contract year, if provided.

Proposals from bidders who are current state of Michigan employees are also disqualified and will not be reviewed.

From this point on, DO NOT USE TAB. Unprotect the format and press CONTROL F to move to the next typing location (stop code). Protect the format again after the last stop code at the end of Category D in Section IV.

Additional Information:

For purposes of this RFP, the proposed unit rate should be based on $215,832.00 ($71,944.00 each fiscal year). In addition to the amounts listed above, $30,000.00 ($10,000.00 each fiscal year) is allocated for transportation and $9,168.00 ($3,056.00 each fiscal year) is allocated for specific assistance.

Transportation and specific assistance costs should be considered actual cost components and should not be included in the proposed unit rate.

Unit rate calculations must take into consideration all direct and indirect costs related to performing the service, including mandated insurance costs.

Authority:

Completion:

Penalty:

P.A. 2080 of 1939.

Mandatory.

Agreement Invalid The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will not discriminate against any individual or group because of race, religion, age, national origin, color, height, weight, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political beliefs or disability. If you need help with reading, writing, hearing, etc., under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are invited to make your needs known to a MDHHS office in your area.

Table of Contents

This Request for Proposal (RFP) provides interested bidders with sufficient information to prepare and submit proposals for consideration by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and contains the following sections:

Section I Proposal Instructions Section II Description of Service Specifications Section III Instructions for Bidders

Section IV Proposal Section V Confidential Treatment Form (CT Form) Section I

PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.

Questions/Inquiries Questions regarding the content of this RFP must be made by email to Jeannetta Johnson at JohnsonJ68@michigan.gov on or before May 2, 2019. MDHHS staff will not respond to questions regarding the content of the RFP that are telephoned in. Questions may be discussed verbally at the pre-proposal conference, if one is scheduled. MDHHS will compile all relevant questions and answers and post these as well as any other clarifications or revisions to the initial RFP onto the SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS) website. Interested bidders are advised to monitor the website regularly.

2.

Amendment to the RFP MDHHS may modify this RFP at any time. Modifications will be posted on the SIGMA VSS website via a “proposal amendment.” This is the only method by which the RFP may be modified. Amendments posted before the deadline submission date may include documentations such as questions and answers, revisions, and/or clarifications to the initial RFP. Amendments posted after the deadline submission date may include documentation such as the award recommendation letter.

3.

Response Preparation Bidders must follow these proposal instructions and provide a complete response. Uniform Resource Locator (URL) links to information will not be considered for evaluation. Bidder should include its company name in the header of all response documents.

4.

Delivery of Proposal The bidder must submit its proposal, all attachments, and any modifications or withdrawals electronically through the SIGMA VSS website. The price proposal should be saved separately from all other proposal documents. The bidder should submit all documents in a modifiable (native) format (examples include, but are not limited to: Microsoft Word or Excel and Google Docs or Sheets). In addition to submitting documents in a modifiable format, the bidder may also submit copies of documents in PDF. Attachment file size is limited to 6 MB per document. Bidder’s failure to submit a proposal as required may result in disqualification. The proposal and attachments must be fully uploaded and submitted prior to the due date identified on the SIGMA VSS website. Do not wait until the last minute to submit a proposal, as the SIGMA VSS system requires the creation of an account and entry of certain information, in addition to uploading and submitting the materials. The SIGMA VSS system will not allow a proposal to be submitted after the due date and time, even if a portion of the proposal has been uploaded.

Questions on how to submit information or how to navigate in the SIGMA VSS system can be answered by calling (517) 373-4111 or (888) 734-9749. MDHHS will not provide assistance related to the submittal of the proposal and all attachments on the day of the proposal deadline. Responsibility for a complete submission lies with the bidder.

5.

Evaluation Process In awarding the contract, proposals will be evaluated by a committee chaired by the MDHHS Bureau of Grants and Purchasing (BGP). Only those proposals receiving a score of 80 points or more will be considered for award. All qualified proposals will be evaluated based on rating criteria identified in the RFP.

MDHHS may utilize all bidder information, without regard to a proposal’s technical score, to determine fair market value for goods or services sought. MDHHS is not obligated to accept the lowest price proposal. If applicable, MDHHS’ evaluation will include consideration of a bidder’s qualified disabled veteran/service-disabled veteran owned business (QDV/SDVOB) status under MCL 18.1261(8). Additional information on the SDVOB preference is available at this Contract Connect website.

MDHHS strongly encourages strict adherence to the standard terms. MDHHS reserves the right to deem a proposal non-responsive for failure to accept the standard terms. Nevertheless, the bidder may submit proposed changes to the standard terms in track changes (i.e., visible edits) with an explanation of the bidder’s need for each proposed change. Failure to include track changes with an explanation of the bidder’s need for the proposed change constitutes the bidder’s acceptance of the standard terms. General statements, such as that the bidder reserves the right to negotiate the standard terms, may be considered non-responsive.

MDHHS reserves the right to establish the criteria by which it will evaluate each bidder’s response, and by which it will determine the most responsive, capable, and qualified bidder(s). In addition to cost, other principal factors may be considered in evaluating proposals relative to:

. Reliability

. Bidder’s past performance

. Bidder’s ability to respond to all requirements outlined in the RFP

. Bidder’s ability to maintain a presence in providing services

. Financial stability

. Continuity and stability in provision of service

. Knowledge transfer activities

If MDHHS determines in its sole discretion that contracting with or awarding a contract to a bidder presents an unacceptable financial risk to MDHHS, MDHHS reserves the right to not award a contract to that bidder.

MDHHS may but is not required to conduct an on-site visit to tour and inspect the bidder's facilities; require an oral presentation of the bidder's proposal; conduct interviews, research, reference checks, and background checks; and request additional price concessions at any point during the evaluation process.

6.

Notice of Deficiency MDHHS reserves the right to issue a Notice of Deficiency to bidders if MDHHS determines after the proposal deadline that a portion of the RFP was deficient, unclear, or ambiguous. Failure to respond to a Notice of Deficiency timely may be cause for disqualification.

7.

Clarification Request MDHHS reserves the right to issue a Clarification Request to a bidder to clarify its proposal if MDHHS determines the proposal is not clear. Failure to respond to a Clarification Request timely may be cause for disqualification.

8.

Reservations MDHHS reserves the right to:

a.

Disqualify a bidder for failure to follow these instructions.

b.

Discontinue the RFP process at any time for any or no reason. The issuance of an RFP, preparation and submission of a proposal, and MDHHS’s subsequent receipt and evaluation of a proposal does not commit MDHHS to award a contract, even if all the requirements in the RFP are met.

c.

Consider late proposals if: (i) no other proposals are received; (ii) no complete proposals are received; (iii) MDHHS received complete proposals, but the proposals did not pass the evaluation process; or (iv) the award process fails to result in an award.

d.

Consider an otherwise disqualified proposal, if no other proposals are received.

e.

Disqualify a proposal based on: (1) information provided by the bidder in response to this RFP; (2) the bidder’s failure to complete registration on SIGMA VSS; or (3) if it is determined that a bidder purposely or willfully submitted false or misleading information in response to this RFP.

f.

Consider prior performance with the State in making its award decision.

g.

Consider overall economic impact to the State when evaluating proposal pricing and in the final award recommendation. This includes but is not limited to: considering principal place of performance, number of Michigan citizens employed or potentially employed, dollars paid to Michigan residents, Michigan capital investments, job creation, tax revenue implications, and economically disadvantaged businesses.

h.

Consider total-cost-of-ownership factors (e.g., transition and training costs) when evaluating proposal pricing and in the final award recommendation.

i.

Refuse to award a contract to any bidder that has failed to pay State taxes or has outstanding debt with the State.

j.

Enter into negotiations with one or more bidders on price, terms, technical requirements, or other deliverables.

k.

Award multiple, optional-use contracts, or award by contract activity.

l.

Evaluate the proposal outside the scope identified in Section 5, Evaluation Process, if MDHHS receives only one proposal.

m.

Evaluate proposals using a method that establishes the relative importance of each deliverable.

9.

Award Recommendation The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder who offers the best value to the State, as determined by the State. Best value will be determined by the bidder meeting the minimum point threshold and offering the best combination of price and quality, as demonstrated by its proposal and other principal factors. MDHHS will post a Notice of Recommendation for Award on the SIGMA VSS website, which will appear as a Notice of Intent to Award to the original solicitation.

10.

Debrief Meetings and Protest MDHHS will post a Notice of Recommendation for Award, which will provide instructions on how to request a debrief meeting.

Bidders who wish to initiate a protest of the award must submit the protest in writing no later than 3:00 p.m. on the fifth business day after the notice of recommendation for award is published on the SIGMA VSS website. MDHHS reserves the right to adjust this timing and will publish any change on the SIGMA VSS system.

Submit protests via email to MDHHS-BGP@michigan.gov. Include “Protest” in the email subject line. All protests must include the bid number.

Additional information about the protest process is available at the Contract Connect website under the “Programs and Policies” link.

11.

State Administrative Board Contracts equal to or greater than $500,000 require approval by the State Administrative Board. The State Administrative Board’s decision is final; however, its approval does not constitute a contract. The award process is not complete until the awarded Contractor receives a contract fully executed by all parties.

12.

General Conditions The State will not be liable for any costs, expenses, or damages incurred by a bidder participating in this solicitation. The bidder agrees that its proposal will be considered an offer to do business with the State in accordance with its proposal, including the Standard Terms, and that its proposal will be irrevocable and binding for a period of 90 calendar days from date of submission. If a contract is awarded to the bidder, the State may, at its option, incorporate any part of the bidder’s proposal into a contract. This RFP is not an offer to enter into a contract. This RFP may not provide a complete statement of the State’s environment, or contain all matters upon which agreement must be reached. Other than verified trade secrets, proposals submitted via SIGMA VSS are the State’s property.

13.

Confidential Treatment Form and the Freedom of Information Act All portions of the bidder’s proposal and resulting contract are subject to disclosure as required under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231, et seq. However, some information may be exempt from disclosure. Under MCL 18.1261(13)(b), records containing “a trade secret as defined under section 2 of the uniform trade secrets act, 1998 PA 448, MCL 445.1902,” are exempt from disclosure under FOIA. In addition, “financial or proprietary information” submitted with a bidder’s proposal is exempt from disclosure under FOIA. A bidder’s failure to comply with this Section is grounds for rejecting a bidder’s proposal as non-responsive. As a part of its proposal, each bidder must follow the procedure below.

a. SUBMIT A COMPLETED “CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT FORM” (CT FORM) WITH YOUR BID. Completion and submission of the CT Form is required regardless of whether the bidder seeks confidential treatment of information. Failure to submit a completed CT Form may be cause for disqualification from the solicitation process.

i. Complete and sign Section 1 of the CT Form if the bidder does NOT request confidential treatment of information contained in its proposal; or

ii. Complete and sign Section 2 of the CT Form if the bidder requests confidential treatment of certain information. Bidder must also submit a “Public Copy” of the proposal with the trade secret, financial, and proprietary information redacted and clearly labeled as the “Public Copy.”

b. FOIA REQUESTS. If a FOIA request is made for a bidder’s proposal, the Public Copy may be distributed to the public along with the bidder’s CT Form. The CT Form is a public document and serves as an explanation for the redactions to the Public Copy. Do not put any trade secret, financial, or proprietary information in the CT Form. Do not redact the CT Form itself.

c. NO ADVICE. The State will not advise a bidder as to the nature or content of documents entitled to protection from disclosure under FOIA or other laws, as to the interpretation of such laws, or as to the definition of trade secret or financial or proprietary information. Nothing contained in this provision will modify or amend requirements and obligations imposed on the State by FOIA or other applicable law.

d. FAILURE TO REQUEST CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. Failure to request material be treated as confidential as specified herein relieves the State, its agencies, and personnel from any responsibility for maintaining material in confidence.

e. Bids containing a request to maintain an entire proposal as confidential may be rejected as non-responsive. Bidders may not request confidential treatment with respect to resumes, pricing, and marketing materials. The State reserves the right to determine whether material designated as exempt by a bidder falls under MCL 18.1261 or other applicable FOIA exemptions. If a FOIA request is made for materials that the bidder has identified as trade secret, financial, or proprietary information, the State has the final authority to determine whether the materials are exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

f. Bidder forever releases the State, its departments, subdivisions, officers, and employees from all claims, rights, actions, demands, damages, liabilities, expenses and fees, which arise out of or relate to the disclosure of all or a portion of bidder’s proposal submitted under this RFP. Bidder must defend, indemnify and hold the State, its departments, subdivisions, officers, and employees harmless, without limitation, from and against all actions, claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, attorney fees, and expenses (including those required to establish the right to indemnification), arising out of or relating to any FOIA request, including potential litigation and appeals, related to the portion of bidder’s proposal submitted under this RFP that bidder has identified as a trade secret, or financial or proprietary information. The State will notify bidder in writing if indemnification is sought. The State is entitled to: (i) regular updates on proceeding status; (ii) participate in the defense of the proceeding; (iii) employ its own counsel; and to (iv) retain control of the defense, or any portion thereof, if the State deems necessary. Bidder will not, without the State’s written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), settle, compromise, or consent to the entry of any judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any claim, action, or proceeding. If a State employee, official, or law is involved or challenged, the State may control the defense of that portion of the claim. Any litigation activity on behalf of the State, or any of its subdivisions under this Section, must be coordinated with the Department of Attorney General. An attorney designated to represent the State may not do so until approved by the Michigan Attorney General and appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General.

14.

Rights to Information Contained in Proposals All proposals will be considered the property of MDHHS.

15.

Independent Price Determination a.

By submission of a proposal, the bidder certifies:

1) The prices of the proposal have been arrived at independently without consultation, communication, or agreement, for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to such prices with any other bidder or with any competitor;

2) Unless otherwise required by law, the price quotation in the proposal has not and will not be knowingly disclosed by the bidder to any potential bidder;

3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the bidder to induce any other person or agency to submit or not to submit a proposal for the purpose of restricting competition;

4) The price quoted is not higher than that given to the general public for the same service.

b.

The person who submits the proposal certifies that:

1) She or he is the person in the bidder's organization responsible within that organization for the decision as to prices being offered in the proposal, and that she or he has not participated, and will not participate in any action contrary to a. 1 through 4 above; or

2) He or she is not the person in the bidder's organization responsible within that organization for the decision as to the prices being offered in the proposal, but that he or she has been authorized in writing to act as agent for the persons responsible for such decision in certifying that such persons have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to a. 1 through 4 above, and as their agent does hereby so certify; and that he or she has not participated, and will not participate in any action contrary to a. 1 through 4 above.

c.

A proposal will not be considered for award if the bidder is found to be noncompliant with any part of Item 6., Independent Price Determination, unless the bidder furnishes a signed statement with the proposal, which sets forth in detail the circumstance of the disclosure and the BGP determines that such disclosure was not made for the purpose of restricting competition.

16.

Subcontracting

Subcontractors shall be subject to all conditions and provisions of the contract including Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) and Central Registry background checks when applicable.

If subcontracting, the Contractor must obligate the subcontractors to maintain the confidentiality of MDHHS’ client information in conformance with state and federal requirements.

If portions of the services are being subcontracted, the bidder must identify the services the subcontractor will perform and provide all information requested, as it applies to both the bidder and the subcontractor(s).

MDHHS may, at its discretion, require information on the process of an awarded subcontractor proposal.

A Contractor is responsible for the performance of any subcontractors who are held to the same standard of quality and performance as the Contractor. Evaluators of proposals will consider the qualifications of both the Contractor and subcontractor when making contract award recommendations.

17.

Price

Prices quoted are firm for the initial term of the contract.

18.

Standard Terms Awards made as a result of this RFP will require execution of a contract with MDHHS. The contract will contain standard terms. A copy of the standard terms was posted on SIGMA VSS as a separate attachment with this RFP.

19.

Federal Provisions Addendum

Use this section only when the purchase will be paid for in whole or in part with funds obtained from the federal government. If no federal funding will be used, delete all language in the section, including the section title, and replace with Reserved.

Awards made as a result of this RFP will require execution of a contract with MDHHS. The contract will contain a federal provisions addendum. A copy of the federal provisions addendum was posted on SIGMA VSS as a separate attachment with this RFP.

20.

Options to Renew

At the discretion of MDHHS, an awarded contract may be renewed in writing by an amendment not less than 30 days before its expiration. The contract may be renewed for up to two additional one-year periods.

21.

Criminal Background Check

If the resulting contract will be with an individual, MDHHS will complete the criminal background check on the Contractor, and the following language will be included in the contract:

The Contractor shall notify MDHHS in writing of criminal convictions (felony or misdemeanor), pending felony charges, or placement on the Central Registry as a perpetrator, at hire or within 10 days of the event after hiring.

If the resulting contract will be with an agency, the following language will be included in the contract:

As a condition of this Contract, the Contractor certifies that the Contractor shall, prior to any individual performing work under this Contract, conduct or cause to be conducted an Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) check and a national and state sex offender registry check for each new employee, employee, subcontractor, subcontractor employee or volunteer who, under this Contract, works directly with clients or has access to client information.

Information about ICHAT can be found at http://apps.michigan.gov/ichat.

The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry website address is http://www.mipsor.state.mi.us.

The National Sex Offender Public website address is http://www.nsopw.gov.

As a condition of this Contract, the Contractor certifies that the Contractor shall, prior to any individual performing work under this Contract, conduct or cause to be conducted a Central Registry (CR) check for each new employee, employee, subcontractor, subcontractor employee, or volunteer who, under this Contract, works directly with children.

Information about CR can be found at http://www.mi.gov/dhs/0,1607,7-124-5452_7119_48330-180331--,00.html.

The Contractor shall require each new employee, employee, subcontractor, subcontractor employee, or volunteer who, under this Contract, works directly with clients or who has access to client information to notify the Contractor in writing of criminal convictions (felony or misdemeanor), pending felony charges, or placement on the Central Registry as a perpetrator, at hire or within 10 days of the event after hiring.

The Contractor further certifies that the Contractor shall not submit claims for or assign duties under this Contract to any new employee, employee, subcontractor, subcontractor employee, or volunteer based on a determination by the Contractor that the results of a positive ICHAT and/or a CR response or reported criminal felony conviction or perpetrator identification make the individual ineligible to provide the services.

The Contractor must have a written policy describing the criteria on which its determinations shall be made and must document the basis for each determination. The Contractor may consider the recency and type of crime when making a determination. Failure to comply with this provision may be cause for immediate cancellation of this Contract. In addition, the Contractor must further have a clearly defined written policy regarding acceptable screening practices of new staff members and volunteers who have direct access to clients and/or client’s personal information. These screening practices serve to protect the organization and its clients. The Contractor must also assure that any subcontractors have both of these written policies.

If MDHHS determines that an individual provided services under this Contract for any period prior to completion of the required checks as described above, MDHHS may require repayment of that individual's salary, fringe benefits, and all related costs of employment for the period that the required checks had not been completed.

22.

State of Michigan Employees State of Michigan employees may not act as bidders. Proposals from bidders who are current state of Michigan employees will be disqualified and will not be reviewed.

Policy in Civil Service Rule 2-8, Ethical Standards and Conduct, states an employee cannot represent or act as an agent for any private interests, whether for compensation or otherwise, in any transaction in which the state has a direct and substantial interest and which could reasonably be expected to result in a conflict between the employee’s private interests and official state responsibilities.

Section II

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE SPECIFICATIONS

Introduction

Families Together Building Solution (FTBS) is a home-based, solution-focused program assisting families with behaviorally-specific goals, enhancing and increasing family functions, enhancing household management skills, enhancing the use of transportation networks, enhancing communication skills, and conflict resolution skills, and enhancing the use of community resources.

1.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

1.1.

Client Eligibility Criteria a.

Definition of Eligibility normally by funding source or program standards For Strong Families Safe Children (SFSC) Funding:

Family Support Services shall be provided to Parents or Primary Caregiver(s) who:

are responsible for the care and supervision of minor child(ren) and have an open MDHHS Children’s Protective Services (Category I, II, and III), Foster Care or Delinquency case or whose open case was closed within the past 18 months or had a CPS investigation within the past 18 month or had 3 or more rejected CPS complaints.

Note: Adjudicated youth in out-of-home placement who are wards of the court (including tribal courts) may be referred by MDHHS to contracts that exclusively serve delinquent youth.

Time – Limited Family Reunification Services shall be provided to Parents and Primary Caregiver(s) who:

are responsible for the care and supervision of minor child(ren) and have a MDHHS open case in out-of-home placement with family reunification as the goal.

Families are eligible only within the 15 month period that begins on the date the child is considered to have entered foster care.

Family Preservation – Placement Prevention Services shall be provided to Parent or Primary Caregiver(s) who:

are responsible for the care and supervision of minor child(ren) and have an open MDHHS Children’s Protective Services (Category I, II, and III), Foster Care or Delinquency case.

For Child Protection/Community Partners (CPCP) Funding:

Children and families investigated by MDHHS Children’s Protective Services within the previous 18 months where MDHHS determines there is a “preponderance of evidence” of child abuse or neglect (Category III).

Children and families investigated by MDHHS Children’s Protective Services within the previous 18 months and there is not a “preponderance of evidence” of abuse or neglect but future risk (Category IV).

For Child Safety and Permanency Plans (CSPP) Funding:

Families with an open MDHHS Children’s Protective Services case (Category I, II and III).

Families with children in MDHHS supervised out-of-home placement (inclusive of MDHHS supervised Foster Care, Juvenile Justice, and relative placement).

MDHHS adoptive families for whom a need for post adoptive services has been identified by MDHHS to prevent disruption or dissolution.

Families with an open MDHHS child welfare prevention case.

b.

Determination of Eligibility

MDHHS shall determine eligibility.

1.2.

Referral Process Use the referral process below or enter an appropriate referral process.

MDHHS

In the written referral MDHHS shall identify:

a. Date of referral.

b. Name of each client to be provided service.

c. Address and contact information of the referred client(s).

d. Reasons for referral.

e. Referring worker’s emergency on call phone number.

MDHHS local office may initiate a referral by telephone as long as it is followed up with a written referral within five days.

CONTRACTOR

a. The Contractor shall accept or reject written referrals from MDHHS within one working day

b. The Contractor must contact the client within three days of accepting a referral

i. The program manager shall accept FTBS referrals by telephone from the MDHHS referring worker when the supervisor is not available

c. The Contractor shall develop procedures for receiving referrals in consultation with the local MDHHS referring units, in consultation with the MDHHS Business Service Center.

2.

CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1.

Geographic Area The Contractor shall provide services described herein in the following geographic area: Branch County.

2.2.

Credentials The Contractor shall assure that appropriately credentialed or trained staff under its control, including Contractor employees and/or subcontractors, shall perform functions under this Contract.

FTBS program managers, supervisors and direct workers should have an understanding of the strength-based, solution-focused brief therapy model of treatment and a willingness to adhere to that model. In addition, FTBS staff must maintain a flexible schedule to accommodate the family’s work and school schedule and be available for crisis intervention to families 24 hours per day, seven days a week if necessary.

Program Manager:

A master’s degree in one of the following human services areas: social work, sociology, psychology, family ecology, consumer/community services, family studies, family and/or child development, guidance/school counseling, counseling psychology or criminal justice as well as experience managing in-home programs, administrative and clinical experience is required.

Supervisor:

A bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, family ecology, consumer/community services, family studies, family and/or child development, guidance/school counseling, counseling psychology or criminal justice and field experience working with families with multiple problems is required. A master’s degree in social work is preferred. Knowledge of and experience in the brief therapy model, solution-focused therapy is preferred.

Supervisors must have demonstrated experience in, or potential for, providing supervision to FTBS staff who provide in-home services. Knowledge of child welfare policies and programs, family therapy theories, treatment philosophies, and strategies of home-based services, as well as knowledge and availability of local resources is necessary. An understanding of and commitment to the FTBS solution-focused model is essential. Supervisors must have the capacity for overseeing program operations related to the family’s entry into and participation in the program.

The ability to relate to local MDHHS personnel, the courts, and other service providers on behalf of the family is essential.

The expectation for flexibility in work schedule is necessary.

FTBS Direct Worker:

A bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, family ecology, consumer/community services, family studies, family and/or child development, guidance/school counseling, counseling psychology or criminal justice is a required minimum. A master’s degree in social work is preferred.

Field experience working with children and families with multiple problems and the overall ability to relate and engage with these families is paramount. Experience in and knowledge of brief therapy model, solution-focused therapy is preferred. An understanding of the MDHHS Family Preservation philosophy and intervention strategies is essential.

The expectation for flexibility in work schedule is necessary.

Training Requirements:

All FTBS staff are required to participate in initial and ongoing training provided by MDHHS staff or trainers coordinated by MDHHS. At a minimum, all FTBS staff must attend the two-day FTBS Core Training and the one-day Family Preservation Solution-Focused Brief Therapy training (SFBT) as soon as possible after date of hire.Insert any required credentials Identify minimum, specific qualifications, such as degrees, training, etc. of staff providing direct services, and, if applicable, any positions overseeing those staff in the credentials section of the contract.

2.3.

Services to be Delivered Service #1 of 1: Families Together Building Solutions services a.

Activities the Contractor shall perform:

Service descriptions must be clear and specific so the contract is enforceable and can be appropriately monitored and audited.

The service description should clearly define:

a. The service title.

b. Service to be provided.

c. When service will begin.

d. Duration of service.

e. The referral process (if applicable).

f. How the provision of service is to be documented.

g. How the termination of service to a client is determined and documented.

h. How and when the contractor will communicate with MDHHS.

i. The expected time frames for performing tasks.

The Contractor shall:

1. Provide both supervisory staff and FTBS direct workers committed to and capable of adhering to the SFBT model.

2. Have all FTBS direct workers, supervisors, and program managers attend training arranged by MDHHS that is tailored to the SFBT model. Training materials acquired shall be incorporated into service delivery.

3. Develop a written plan to administer specific assistance monies averaging $100.00 per family served. This plan, and any changes to this plan, shall be submitted annually in writing to MDHHS. These monies shall only be used to purchase reinforcement tools and incidentals that directly support the achievement of goals related to the reasons for referral indicated by MDHHS.

a. Consult with the local MDHHS office for guidance on approvals for specific assistance usage at or exceeding $500.00. The MDHHS-362-FPP, Specific Assistance Request Form shall be used to document that the expenditure is in support of reducing the risk of out-of-home placement or reunification efforts. This form must also identify the established goal that the expenditure is intended to support. The MDHHS-362-FPP shall be placed in the client’s FTBS case file.

4. Provide service in the family’s home or at mutually agreed upon location.

5. Submit in writing to the MDHHS local office, a plan outlining how FTBS program staff will meet availability requirements.

a. Supervisors and direct workers shall work a flexible schedule determined by the needs of the family (rather than a standard eight to five schedule).

6. Maintain an FTBS supervisor/direct worker ratio as one supervisor to four direct workers, pro-rated for partial or multiple teams.

7. Have all FTBS supervisors and program manager participate in scheduled meetings, case consultation, case reviews, and ongoing training as necessary for contract compliance as determined by the local MDHHS representative, MDHHS Business Service Center and/or MDHHS Family Preservation Program Office.

a. Supervisors shall maintain a minimum of monthly contact with the local MDHHS representative for program/contract updates.

b. Supervisors and the local MDHHS representative shall facilitate bi-annual program outlines for referring staff.

8. Familiarize the staff with MDHHS policies and procedures and monitor staff for program and outcome compliance while in consultation with the MDHHS local office, and/or MDHHS Business Service Center.

9. Provide to the assigned MDHHS Business Service Center contract administrator full access to examine all case related and administrative records for contract monitoring.

10. Maintain signed Service Plans, Progress Reports, and Termination Reports for referred cases in the case record. The Contractor shall submit reports to the local MDHHS upon request.

11. Have each full-time supervisor with a team of four direct workers carry a minimum caseload of two families per year. A part time supervisor/ direct worker must carry a percentage of a direct worker caseload and percentage of a supervisor load.

12. Have the supervisor accompany new direct worker on at least one home visit.

a. The supervisor shall accompany staff on all other home visits as needed at least once per contract year.

b. Feedback on supervisor accompanied visits shall be part of the weekly individual conference or team meeting.

13. Have the supervisor conduct weekly team meetings involving all staff to consult casework plans and activities.

14. Have the supervisor conduct bi-weekly, individual, supervision with each direct worker. This shall be for the purpose of discussing the worker’s assigned families, reviewing individual case progress, and consulting on SFBT casework plans and documentation.

15. Have supervisors review and approve, by signature and date, all required service plans, progress reports and termination reports.

16. Have the direct workers available to the family 24 hours per day, seven days a week to accommodate the family’s work schedule and for crisis intervention, if necessary.

a. Each direct worker shall be available to the families specifically assigned to them.

i. Supervisors shall provide back up to direct workers. The program manager shall provide back up to the direct workers when supervisors are not available.

b. Cellular/mobile phone numbers shall be given to families or another approved method of direct worker/family contact shall be established.

17. Have each full time direct worker carry an average of 24 cases per year.

a. A direct worker may be assigned a caseload of up to eight families at a time.

b. Exceptions to the full-time caseload must be approved by MDHHS local office.

18. Have the direct worker contact the family face-to-face within three working days of referral.

a. An initial case staffing between the referring caseworker and direct worker shall occur in person or by phone within three days of the first visit with the family.

b. If the direct worker is not able to meet with the family within three days of referral, contact is to be made informing the MDHHS referring staff of the lack of contact and requesting withdrawal of the case from FTBS services within five calendar days of referral, or direction on what further measures to take to meet with the family shall be identified.

NOTE: All face-to-face contacts are to be sent to the referring worker weekly.

19. Have the direct worker provide service to the family for 90 days with an option to extend service up to an additional 90 days with documented MDHHS approval based on consultation regarding goal progress with the family, worker, supervisor and referral source.

a. The assigned direct worker shall maintain ongoing contact with the referring caseworker at a frequency sufficient to address the circumstance of each individual case.

b. The direct worker shall average not less than three hours of face-to-face contact per family, per week, during the period of intervention, not to exceed a total of 180 days of service.

20. Complete regular evaluations of staff to assess knowledge of and compliance with the philosophy and intervention strategies of the FTBS SFBT model

21. Require the direct worker, in consultation with the family, to write an individualized service plan. The plan shall incorporate goals which are derived from the family’s view of their issues, as well as that of the referring worker. To reflect engagement, family members must sign their family assessment and goals and receive copies of all reports. This plan shall be sent to the MDHHS referring staff within 30 days of the first home visit with the family. Each 30 days thereafter, a progress report shall be sent to the family and the local MDHHS office. A termination report is due seven days after the date of case closure.

22. Have the direct worker provide a wide range of family-based services to each family following the SFBT approach. The services may include, but shall not be limited to:

a. Building a positive family/worker relationship by utilizing solution-focused interventions, such as complimenting, interviewing-as-intervention, positive reframing and exception-finding to engage the family members

b. Developing cooperation by:

i.

Identifying the existing strengths of the family and the individual family members

ii. "Joining" with the family by emphasizing existing coping strategies, strengths, and skills and validating the family members’ view of their situation

iii. Discussing concerns of the family

iv. Empowering the family in positive solution-oriented goals formation and action steps v.

Utilizing elements of the SFBT model such as:

1. The five-question interviewing technique

2. E.A.R.S. (Eliciting exceptions, Amplifying details, Reinforcing what worked, and Starting again)

3. Compliments as intervention technique

c. Defining the situation/behaviors through:

i.

The view of the family, the MDHHS referring staff, and the direct worker ii.

Identifying what the changed situation/behavior will “look like” iii.

Assisting the family members in creating a goals picture that addresses the situation/behaviors in behaviorally- specific terms

d. Collaborative goal setting between the family, direct worker and referring caseworker by establishing SFBT model, behaviorally specific goals that are:

i. achievable within a timeframe limited to 90 days

ii. behaviorally specific as to the problematic situation/behaviors that need to change, and measurable as related to observable, positive replacement behaviors of the family members that coincides with the goals picture

e. Intervening with the family through use of the "Five Question" technique by:

i.

Utilizing interviewing as an intervention ii.

Utilizing recognition of pre-session changes made by the family iii.

Utilizing the "miracle question" technique as a means of eliciting family-driven hypothetical solutions to problems iv.

Utilizing the "exception finding" question technique to assist the family in creating solutions to problems and for tracking progress v.

Utilizing the "scaling" question technique with the family to increase cognitive skill level vi.

Utilizing "coping" questions with the family to reinforce, maintain, and enhance positive changes and solutions to problems

f. Enhancing and increasing family functions through the use of feedback and task assignment:

i.

Giving recognition for new behaviors demonstrated by family members utilizing compliments and encouraging self- complimenting techniques ii.

Enhancing the family's ability to handle relapse and setback situations in a positive way utilizing exception finding and scaling questions iii.

Enhancing positive changes by complimenting family members, assisting with strengthening the social network and building links to family and community resources

g. Enhancing and increasing appropriate parenting skills and alternatives to physical punishment through SFBT techniques

h. Enhancing household management skills through skill-building, solution-finding activities, such as, but not limited to:

i.

Budgeting ii.

Exploring household management options/alternatives;

iii.

Scheduling daily routines iv.

Expanding social supports for family members v.

Building linkages to community resources

i. Enhancing use of transportation networks and transporting the family when necessary to achieve treatment goals

j. Enhancing communication skills and conflict resolution skills through teaching i.

Solution-finding approaches to family conflict ii.

Negotiation rationales and techniques iii.

Family relationship-building activities iv.

Anger management

k. Enhancing use of community resources and linkages with follow-up services in termination planning with the family when appropriate

23. Ensure the direct worker shall implement Infant Safe Sleep practices for all infants aged less than one year and shall ensure that Early On referrals will be made on all families with a child aged less than three years.

24. Discuss termination recommendations, in person when possible, with the MDHHS referring staff.

a. The meeting shall occur no later than seven days prior to the anticipated closure of the case. The family may be invited to this meeting.

b. A written termination report, using the required form, shall be submitted to the MDHHS referring staff no later than seven days after case closure.

25. Conduct a termination interview with the family to summarize the progress made during the intervention and options for maintaining progress. The MDHHS referring staff should be invited to the termination interview.

26. Have the direct worker send each family who terminates FTBS services a closure letter within seven days, summarizing the progress the family has made during the intervention and reminding the family that a worker will conduct follow-up interviews at six and 12 months following case closure.

a. Case note documentation of the follow-up interviews and case notes detailing whether the family has successfully maintained new functioning and use of new skills and behaviors will be retained in each family case record.

27. Anonymously administer the family satisfaction and referring caseworker questionnaires to the family along with an agency envelope addressed to the program manager upon termination of each case to determine satisfaction with FTBS services. A copy of the completed forms shall be maintained in a separate file by the Contractor.

28. Have the program manager and supervisors participate in Quality Assurance activities as designed by MDHHS and/or Family Preservation Program Office including the following:

a. Program managers shall review one case per direct worker and one case per supervisor per year

b. The supervisor shall review two cases per year per direct worker b.

Volume of Service

1) Clients - The estimated number of eligible clients to be served during the period of this Contract shall be: 54 (18 each fiscal year) 2) Unit Definition(s): One unit equals one hour of Contractor time providing direct services to a client/family by a director worker, supervisor, or program manager. Direct services include face-to-face contact, collateral and telephone contacts, travel time, training time, and case related activities.

A unit definition states how the service will be measured and documented. The unit of service must be clear, measurable, and capable of being documented. For unit rate contracts the unit definition and rate establish the basis on which the contractor will bill and be paid by MDHHS.

3) Number of Units: The bidder shall estimate the number of units proposed in Section IV of the RFP, under Category D9 (Work Plan), and on the Schedule B.

2.4.

Expected Performance Outcomes

During the Contract, the Contractor shall demonstrate measurable progress toward the achievement of the outcomes listed below:

a.

95% of families intact at time of referral, receiving FTBS services will not require an out-of-home placement during FTBS program participation b.

90% of families intact at completion of FTBS services will avoid removal of the child(ren) to foster care within six months of case closure c.

85% of families intact at completion of FTBS services will avoid removal of the child(ren) to foster care within 12 months of case closure

The outcomes should include a goal, performance measure, baseline, and a target.

2.5.

Reporting Requirements Maintain a written record of services provided to each family. The Contractor shall utilize forms developed by MDHHS. The records shall include but shall not be limited to the following:

a. A written referral form which includes date of the initial request for service, the precipitating event which led to risk to the children, an assessment of the current level of risk, and specific goals aimed at reducing risk b.

An Initial Service Plan completed by the Contractor which…