Hospital Sitting Services

The Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) and Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) are conducting an open enrollment procurement for Hospital Sitting Services across all 11 Texas regions. The solicitation seeks qualified providers to deliver hospital sitting services for children in DFPS conservatorship who are hospitalized, with services to be provided in hospitals, rehabilitative, or nursing home facilities. Hospital sitters must meet specific qualifications, including being at least 21 years old, possessing a high school diploma or equivalent, having one year of experience working with children, and completing required background checks and trauma-informed care training. The contract will be fee-for-service, compensated at $40.00 per hour billed in 15-minute increments for direct service time, with additional billable services including court-related services and case consultations. The open enrollment period runs from April 3, 2025, to August 31, 2030, with an anticipated contract start date no earlier than September 1, 2025, and a five-year contract term. Providers must submit a comprehensive application package including detailed vendor information, organizational documentation, staff qualifications, criminal history checks, and consent forms.

The procurement appears open to various organizational types, with no explicit set-aside designations mentioned. Potential providers must demonstrate two years of full-time relevant service and financial management experience, and comply with specific insurance documentation requirements. Providers will be expected to cover all 11 Texas regions, though historical service utilization varies significantly between regions, with some regions like Region 6 showing substantial activity (51 clients served and over $509,825 in payments in fiscal year 2024). The DFPS does not guarantee a minimum number of service referrals, indicating potential variability in contract value. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the fee structure of $40.00 per hour suggests providers can expect compensation based on actual service hours delivered. Interested organizations must carefully review and complete the comprehensive application requirements, which include submitting multiple forms across two file folders and providing extensive documentation of organizational capabilities and staff qualifications.