Kenosha County Benefit Specialist Program

Kenosha County is conducting a Request for Proposal (RFP #202401) for a Benefit Specialist Program administered by the Division of Aging, Disability, and Behavioral Health Services (DADBHS). The procurement seeks a qualified organization to provide 4 full-time equivalent Benefit Specialist positions, including a .5 Supervisor, 1 Elderly Benefit Specialist, 1 Disability Benefit Specialist, 1 Mental Health Disability Specialist, and .5 FTE MIPPA Outreach Coordinator. These specialists will deliver comprehensive information and assistance to Kenosha County residents aged 60 and over or adults 18 and over with disabilities, focusing on Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, health insurance, housing, and related benefits. Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in health or human services, with expertise in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and consumer issues. Services will be provided through one-on-one and group interactions via telephone, home visits, appointments, and outreach, with mandatory in-office coverage at the Aging and Disability Resource Center from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The evaluation process will be conducted in two phases: a proposal review (100 possible points) and interviews (100 possible points), with scoring categories including Service Plan/Methodology, Business Capacity/Staffing, Organizational Structure, Knowledge in Field, Previous Experience, Program Performance, Budget/Financial Information, and Proposal Quality. Key deadlines include April 12, 2024 (deadline for questions), April 19, 2024 (Q&A summary posting), and May 1, 2024 at 10:00 AM CST (proposal submission deadline).

The RFP does not specify specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. Professional Service Group, Inc. has been recommended for contract award based on the evaluation process. The initial contract period runs from July 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, with potential renewals subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance. The budgeted amount for the six-month contract period is $201,963, based on 2024 contract costs of $191,805. Administrative costs are limited to 10 percent, with for-profit agencies restricted to a 5 percent profit margin. Contractors must provide consumers the opportunity to make voluntary contributions toward service costs in accordance with Bureau on Aging & Disability policy. Performance requirements include contacting new referrals within 48 hours, maintaining accurate case notes in the WellSky database, reporting Medicaid administrative time by the 3rd of the following month, achieving 90 percent client satisfaction, conducting monthly Medicare workshops, and providing annual Open Enrollment Assistance. The county will provide equipment and space for budgeted positions, with space and equipment for interns and volunteers determined based on current vacancies.