Truancy Diversion Program - Tier 2

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, through its Office of Children and Youth (OCY), is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP 26-24) for Truancy Diversion Program - Tier 2 services, with proposals due by May 20, 2026. The procurement seeks multiple qualified service providers to deliver truancy diversion and prevention services to children ages 5-18 and their families experiencing truancy (defined as unlawful absences of at least ten days within an academic year) across all Montgomery County school districts. Selected contractors will provide services beginning at the start of the 2026-2027 academic year under a three-year initial contract term with options to extend for up to two additional one-year periods (maximum five years total). The primary objective is to divert youth from formal OCY involvement by keeping students engaged in school and preventing escalation of truancy cases. Deliverables include direct service provision structured on hourly or per diem rates (not direct/indirect cost structures), comprehensive record-keeping with encounter forms and monthly director verification forms, monthly invoices submitted by the 15th of each month, and quarterly and fiscal year reporting aligned with specified performance metrics. Key qualifications required include demonstrated experience with truancy diversion services, knowledge of Montgomery County family and youth dynamics, and established relationships with school districts, Magisterial District Judges, and local community service organizations. Evaluation criteria include bidder experience, past performance in meeting commitments, and other factors deemed in the County's best interest beyond price considerations. Critical performance indicators include 90% youth engagement (at least two direct contacts within seven days), 70% measurable improvement in attendance within 45 days of service initiation, 80% diversion from further OCY involvement within 90 days post-discharge, and 85% satisfaction from referring schools. All staff must complete mandatory child abuse recognition and reporting training within 90 days of hire and refresh training every five years.

Proposers must complete and submit the Appendix A certification package, including the Public Disclosure Statement, Certification and Representations of Offerors, Contingent Fee Representation, Certificate of Independent Price Determination, Organizational Conflicts of Interest Certification, and Local, Small, and Diverse Business Concern Certification; failure to include these mandatory forms results in rejection as non-responsive. Vendors may self-identify their status as local, small, or diverse business concerns and provide third-party certification numbers where applicable. Selected contractors must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and comply with all federal and state laws including the Juvenile Act, Child Protective Services Law, Adoption and Safe Families Act, HIPAA, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service providers must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate), workers compensation, and professional errors and omissions liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), with Montgomery County named as additional insured. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement materials. The tentative funding allocation for the Truancy Diversion Program - Tier 2 is $1,394,815, pending final budget approval, with anticipated service delivery to 476 youth from 442 families distributed among all selected providers; compensation is contingent upon satisfactory performance as determined by the County, with payments made within thirty days of invoice receipt, inspection, acceptance, and Controller approval.