Section II. Service Specifications 1. Target Population and Geographical Location Services shall be for marginalized youth ages 13 to 18 years who meet any of the three criteria: 1) identify as LGBTQIA+; 2) are of Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent or other disproportionately overrepresented youth; and 3) are at-risk youth in need of mental health support. Services shall be provided on the island of Oahu. 2. Scope of Work The CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for the following activities: 2.1 Outreach. Develop and implement an outreach plan to identify, engage, and recruit youth who meet the target population criteria and need for services. The plan shall identify how the CONTRACTOR conducts outreach and strategies to recruit youth, including recruitment through partnering organizations. 2.2 Referral to Mentoring Services. Refer up to 25 youth in need of mentoring support through ocean-based and cultural practices to the OYS-designated Mentoring Contractor. Facilitate successful connections between the youth and family (as appropriate) when referring youth to mentoring services and initiate a warm hand-off between youth and the Mentoring Contractor. 2.3 Accept Referrals from the Mentoring Contractor. Accept referrals from the OYSdesignated Mentoring Contractor. A maximum total of 25 youth shall be served from this referral source. Establish protocols with the OYS-designated Mentoring Contractor to coordinate acceptance of referrals and intake of youth being referred. The protocols shall identify what information can be shared among the two Contractors based on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and consent for services from the youth and family. 2.4 Engagement and Consent for Services. Initial contact with youth and families shall commence by building relationships and treating participants as partners, empowering them to make decisions, having choices, and setting the course of action for services. The CONTRACTOR shall have policies and procedures for consent of services that: a. Maintain confidentiality and protect the rights of youth and families. b. Ensure the youth’s confidentiality rights under the minor consent law pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §577-29. c. Inform youth and families of local consent laws and their rights to access services and supports. d. Provide services at no cost to participants. e. Ensure youth and families knowingly and voluntarily consent to services and can refuse participation at any time. f. Ensure youth and families knowingly and voluntarily consent to the sharing of confidential information between different service providers. 2.5 Assess & Triage Youth. Assess youth with validated screening tools and/or clinical assessments to identify the needs and determine interventions and treatment plans. Youth shall be assigned a therapist, counselor, or other supporting adult and/or peer, as specified in the youth’s intervention and treatment plan. 2.6 Care Coordination Services. Integrate care coordination services as a wraparound approach to connect youth and families to a network of providers and services. The CONTRACTOR shall include, but not be limited to, the following providers in their network of care: public and private schools, pediatric physicians, public and private behavioral health providers/organizations, Family Court, OYS, and public and private youth-serving organizations. 2.7 Individual Therapy. Provide personalized individual therapy tailored to each youth’s specific treatment plan. The number of sessions shall be prescribed according to treatment plans and provided in a safe and confidential environment. 2.8 Group Therapy. Provide weekly group therapy sessions that cultivate a community for youth to share experiences, gain insight, provide reflection, and feel supported by and with peers. Group therapy allows youth to expand their connections to a supportive network of peers and trusting adults. 2.9 Safe Space. Provide a youth-centered space where youth can come together to engage in social activities, study, relax, express themselves, feel supported without judgment, and learn skills to cope with the challenges they face. The safe space environment promotes equality, fairness, non-violence, and affirmation of the unconditional value of all people. The safe space shall: a. Provide and ensure physical and psychological safety. b. Have clear and consistent rules and expectations.
