RFR 214830 Housing Stability and Support Questions and Answers 1.docx

March 19, 2021 Housing Stability and Support

RFR# 214830

Questions and Answers

Q: Could you provide a more detailed description of the new Program Manager/Clinical Supervisor role and responsibilities?

A: The requirement of this position carried over from the Supportive Case Management program, the previous version of this service procurement. This position will provide supervision to the case workers as detailed in the RFR.

Q: Can the Clinical Supervision and Program Director functions be spread across two positions in the event that an experienced Program Director does not meet the licensed Masters level qualification for the Clinical Supervisor?

A: Yes, but the allocated time of the two positions should not go beyond the 0.15FTE.

Q: The current unit rate is insufficient to cover the increased cost of a Masters level Clinical Supervisor, nor will the standard CAF factor cover this additional cost. It is our understanding that the new rates will not be posted until after the RFR deadline. Can you give us an approximate figure for the intended rate so that we can factor this into our budgeting process?

A: We expect the draft rates for 7/1/21 to be published in early April.

Q: ServiceNet currently holds a permanent supportive housing contract (for single adults). We are considering our options to move this to transitional. Is that possible?

A: Responses should reflect the program you wish to support with the Housing Stability Support services, as aligned with the parameters as stated in the RFR.

Q: Under Housing Settings, it notes that transitional housing is congregate housing settings with shared kitchen, bathrooms and common meeting spaces. The building in our space has a common meeting area, and shared full kitchen space, and all units have a private bathroom and suppled with a microwave and refrigerator. Would this set up meet the congregate settings for transitional housing?

A: Yes.

Q: We have partnered with Franklin County Regional Housing Authority since 1988. What will we need to establish site control?

A: Site control can be established by a letter from the Housing Authority confirming your collaboration.

Q: Question 9 of the application asks to describe how you will meet the Supportive Case Management elements. I am assuming this is the same as the Housing Stability Service elements but want to confirm this with you.

A: Yes

Q: Can a provider serve less than 20 individuals. We have a house which would provide for 8 individuals/adults.

A: Yes

Q: Can services occur in BOTH transitional AND permanent housing?

A: Services can be offered in both forms of supportive housing environments, and each program must align with the respective parameters set forth in the RFR.

Q: Can permanent housing be located in a congregate care home?

A: Yes

Q: With permanent housing, can we add a .50 house manager?

A: The House Manager position is only included in the Transitional Supportive Housing model.

Q: Is BSAS expecting us to serve currently and/or chronically homeless individuals?

A: The population targeted for these services includes people who are in recovery from substance use disorders (SUD) and/or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders and who are eligible for supportive housing programs. Utilization of Housing First principles is optional.

Q: After an initial submission, are we allowed to submit for an additional program if we contracted at a later date?

A: Proposals must be received by April 16, 2021 in order to be considered for the initial contracting period beginning July 1, 2021. After April 16, 2021, proposals can be submitted at any time with the contracting period to be determined.

Q: Is this new funding? If this is renewal funding, is more funding available than was available during the last application cycle?

A: This is a new procurement based on the previously procured Supportive Case Management program. Funding is listed on Page 4 of the RFR.

Q: Can the same staff member fulfill the role of Support Worker and Clinical Supervisor, depending on the population served? Example: Can a qualified staff member occupy the role of Clinical Supervisor for the portion of our housing program that serves individuals, and also occupy the position of Support Worker for the portion of our housing program that serves families?

A: We would need to see details of the implementation of one staff member occupying two roles in two different programs, including supervision plans for the Support Worker as referenced in the question.

Q: Does DPH have required qualifications for the Supervisor role?

A: Program Director/Clinical Supervisor must be a licensed Masters-level clinician.

Q: For the results and measures section, could you provide guidance as to how many results and measures BSAS is seeking? If the project is a single adult program, do all measures listed for “all programs” need to be addressed, and do all bullet points need to be measured or may a grantee select specific measures and bullet points for reporting? Is BSAS looking for specific targets for the percentages and numbers?

A: Yes, all programs must participate in measures listed as “all programs”. Data submitted should reflect how your clients are doing and the quality of services delivered.

Q: Similarly for Quality Improvement, could you provide guidance as to the desired scope of QI efforts, knowing that vendors are at different stages of measuring QI. Are there specific standards or measures BSAS is looking for or may vendors select them specific to the program goals, population, and context?

A: BSAS is interested in the general agency quality improvement process and, specifically, in the consumer feedback process and how that feedback is implemented.

Q: Is there a cap to funds requested?

A: No.

Q: What can the funds be used for? (build out, purchasing property, renovations, operation) A: This procurement is for services intended to support clients in existing supportive housing environments. Funds may not be used for purchasing a building or property, renovations, or other operational costs.

Q: Are clients expected to pay rent? Or do funds offset rent?

A: The cost of housing is to be funded through other arrangements, which may include self-pay, local public housing authorities, and HUD funding through Continuums of Care in Massachusetts.

Q: If we are paying rent, is it fair market?

A: This procurement is for Housing Stability Support services intended for clients in supportive housing environments. This funding is not to pay for rent.

Q: What is this ‘level of care’? Is it considered sober housing?

A: The level of care is Housing Stability Supports services, as detailed in the RFR. It is not considered sober housing.

Q: For families, is their an age limit on children?

A: There is no age limit on children in family programs.

Q: Is there a limit on number of children?

A: There is not a limit on the number of children in family programs.

Q: For families, if it is transitional, could it be mixed gender?

A: Yes.

Q: Why is the rate for children so low in comparison to young adult? What if we have a family of 5? Is the reimbursement still ~$27 per day for transitional?

A: The rates are for the Housing Stability Support services delivered to clients in supportive housing environments. There is no rate for children; the rate is for services delivered to the family. Additionally, the young adult rate includes funding for meals, which is a developmentally necessary cost to support for this population.