Specifications include, but are not limited to:The Division of Family Services uses a Structured Decision Making system to substantiate complaints and determine the level of risk and intervention that may be warranted. DFS would like to provide a continuum of support services to help families resolve issues which place children at risk of harm and result in family dysfunction, prevent placement of children outside the home, and reunify children if out-of-home placement has occurred. The following is a summary of the services to be provided by successful bidders responding to this RFP. COMPONENT 1: REFERRAL AND CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES The Families and Children active with the Division of Family Services have multiple needs and often struggle to find needed resources and supports that would help reduce the level of risk to their children and provide supports needed to maintain or improve their current situation. These needs can range from simple and basic everyday needs like food and clothing; to more complex needs like afterschool programming or education and employment support. The role of the contractor would be to work with the family and their assigned caseworker to identify needed resources and then identify resources in the community that the family can utilize. The contractor will also need to communicate with the potential resources to determine eligibility and referral process and then assist the family by doing what is necessary to get them connected to the needed resources. A key component of this process is helping the family seek natural supports that are sustainable and accessible to the clients over time. The contractor will also be responsible for tracking what types of resources all clients are referred to and will be responsible for entering this information using grant-reporting system. Under this program, it is necessary for contracted individuals to have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a human services related field. However, they must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas: Communication skills Interpersonal relationship techniques Crisis intervention techniques Stress management skills Reading and writing skills Ability and willingness to testify in court proceedings Under this program, the contractor must complete thorough documentation of all communication between themselves, the caseworker, the clients and any community resources. This information will be provided to the assigned caseworker so that it can be included in the client’s actual case record. The assigned caseworker uses Structured Decision Making Assessment tools to help them determine the needs and strengths of the family; this will be shared with the contractor so that they better understand what types of services and supports a family may need. The assigned caseworker may request assistance from the contractor in identifying, referring and ensuring that a family or child is connected to a needed support resource. The contractor may also determine if the family or child has a need based on contact or communication with the child or family. They may work to identify and refer these families to services independently but should inform the assigned caseworker of such activity and ensure that this identified resource or support aligns with the assigned caseworker’s plans with the family. Successful bidders will be provided with acceptable formats for on-going case notes used to document their efforts in providing these services. Successful bidders will also be provided the reporting format required for the monthly and quarterly grant reporting requirements.
