Foster Care Placement Gaps Analysis

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking a contractor to conduct a comprehensive Foster Care Placement Gaps Analysis through Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 250000002174. The project aims to assess and analyze foster care placement resources, recruitment trends, and system gaps across the state by examining data from approximately 4,000 licensed foster homes. Key deliverables include producing detailed data sets, developing an interactive foster home estimator tool, and generating actionable recommendations to address placement barriers. Contractors must demonstrate at least two years of experience working with state systems related to foster home recruitment data analysis and possess knowledge of MDHHS's existing foster home recruitment practices. The proposal is due on May 19, 2025, at 1:59 p.m. Eastern, with the contract term running from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026, and potential for up to four additional one-year renewals. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on the vendor's experience, proposed methodology, and ability to meet project objectives. The contractor will be expected to provide quarterly status reports, monthly data analysis presentations, and a final comprehensive Foster Care Placement Gaps Analysis report.

While the RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondents, it appears that both Michigan-based and out-of-state vendors are welcome to submit proposals. The state will utilize existing data sources, including the Michigan Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (MiSACWIS) and the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS), to support the analysis. No specific budget or award value is disclosed in the available documents, with the RFP requesting competitive bids based on the project requirements and suggesting pricing will be determined through the bidding process. The analysis will cover critical aspects such as demographic breakdowns of children in care, placement resource providers, relative placement trends, and foster home utilization. Contractors will need to integrate their proposed solutions with existing MDHHS systems and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the state's foster care placement landscape. The project represents a significant opportunity for a vendor to provide strategic insights into improving foster care placement resources and recruitment efforts in Michigan.