EHSUCPRFA2021LC : RFA for Congregate Care Services for Unaccompanied Children in U. S. ORR Custody

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) for Congregate Care Services for Unaccompanied Children in U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Custody. The purpose of this RFA is to identify potential new bed capacity with qualified congregate care providers in Massachusetts for possible referral to the ORR Unaccompanied Children (UC) Program. Respondents must submit electronic quotes through COMMBUYS by 4:00 p.m. on July 6, 2021. EOHHS may invite competitive and responsive Respondents to participate in oral presentations/finalist interviews and conduct site visits. After evaluation, EOHHS will recommend Respondents to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for referral to ORR, but EOHHS is under no obligation to refer any Respondents. Providers cannot propose congregate care beds that are currently or potentially in use/licensed/contracted for Massachusetts state child welfare needs, as the capacity must be additive and require new licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. The RFA provides details on organizational capacity, programmatic capacity, and bed capacity requirements, including the ability to serve tender age youth, youth 13-17, males, females, and pregnant/parenting youth.

Joint applications from two providers are allowed, and providers can expand upon existing capacity but cannot propose congregate care beds that are currently or potentially in use/licensed/contracted for Massachusetts state child welfare needs. The rates for services will be developed in partnership between ORR and the grantee or contractor, and there is no specific information provided on funding for capital expenses. The average length of stay for UCs is reported to be 35 days, and ORR is currently developing guidance regarding home-based care as an option, though this RFA is solely for congregate care services.