DISC 1221 Post Release Support Services in Erie and Niagara Counties AMENDED 8/25/26

Please Note: This solicitation was amended on 8/25/26. The submission deadline has been extended. Please see the amended solicitation document for more information. The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announces a Discretionary Opportunity (DISC) for qualified entities for Post-Release Support Services in Erie and Niagara Counties. These services will support the successful reintegration and stabilization of youth transitioning from residential placement under OCFS custody back into the community (including those already residing in Erie and Niagara Counties under conditional release or aftercare). Please see the Eligibility Criteria section for additional information. After placement in a residential facility, some OCFS youth transition back into the community under conditional release or home placement, typically lasting, on average, four to five months. OCFS prioritizes delivering community-based services, support, and supervision to ensure these youth successfully reintegrate back into their homes and communities while reducing recidivism and promoting positive development. Youth who are placed in OCFS care and custody require innovative interventions and creative solutions to repair and restore family and community connectedness. These young people face significant challenges reengaging with traditional community supports, including educational, vocational, and pro-social opportunities. These youth often present with very high needs and multiple risk factors, including living in high-crime areas, pervasive gang involvement, exposure to human trafficking, and a heightened likelihood of experiencing severe trauma. According to The Sentencing Project, nearly one-fifth of violent crimes committed by youth occur in the four hours between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on school days. This solicitation exemplifies OCFS's commitment to promoting services that are appropriate for age and development, family-centered, trauma-responsive, responsive to local needs, and demonstrably effective in achieving positive outcomes for justice-involved youth. The funded programs must be community-based, culturally and linguistically competent, and mitigate risks through a combination of individualized and group-based interventions that promote positive youth development, goal achievement, and long-term stability. This advertisement is public notice that OCFS is seeking to contract with two organizations to provide the following comprehensive supports in Erie and Niagara Counties, focusing on the City of Buffalo, City of Niagara Falls, and surrounding areas. structured supervision and engagement for youth during the critical after school hours of 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (or as adjusted to align with local school schedules) individualized mentoring, case management, and support evidence-based programming, skill development, and activities linkages to education, employment, and vocational resources community referrals and warm handoffs for linkage to continued ongoing support services qualified staff trained and certified in Trauma-Informed Care, Aggression Replacement Training, and Restorative Justice practices safe transportation, meals, and other basic supports when determined necessary. Please see the Scope of Work section of the solicitation document for additional information. OCFS intends to select one contractor per county based on the criteria outlined in this announcement. This opportunity is authorized under Section 163 of State Finance Law as a discretionary purchase. OCFS intends to contract pursuant to its discretionary purchasing authority under State Finance Law Section 163(6), which authorizes purchases without a formal competitive process in certain circumstances. This funding opportunity is limited to purchases up to the discretionary buying threshold from respondent organizations. Eligibility Criteria Interested parties who meet the following criteria are eligible to respond: Agree to provide the services outlined in the Scope of Work section. Be registered to do business in the State of New York as evidenced by an active registration status in the NYS Department of State (DOS) Corporation and Business Entity Database. Have a minimum of three (3) years of experience providing supportive, prevention, or re-entry (post-release) services to justice-involved or at-risk youth ages 13-21. Have at least one (1) year of experience providing re-entry (post-release) services to youth (ages 13-21) with prior involvement in the juvenile justice system, including youth returning to the community following detention, placement, or probation supervision. Provide at least three (3) professional references from organizations or partners your organization has collaborated with in providing similar youth services (e.g., post-release support, mentoring, or juvenile justice-related programming within the past two (2) years). Funding Details There is an anticipated maximum funding amount of $49,500 per year per contract. This amount will cover all costs associated with providing and delivering all services as specified in the scope of work. Please see the How to Respond section of the solicitation document for additional information. The solicitation document and attachments are found on the "documents" tab of this advertisement. Please see these for submission requirements. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: None. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) SDVOB Goal: 0.00% Minority / Women Business Enterprise contracting goals (MWBE) MBE Goal: 0.00% WBE Goal: 0.00% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise contracting goals (DBE) DBE Goal: 0.00%