1. Establishment and Maintenance of the Youth Advisory Council. The CONTRACTOR shall: a. Operate a Youth Advisory Council, comprised of five (5) separate Local Youth Advisory Councils, which provides a voice for youth and young adults currently or formerly in foster care or otherwise involved in the child welfare system to inform and assist the DHS. Youth Advisory Council members will participate by engaging in the development of practices, policies, programs, and legislative and other initiatives. b. Support the assignment of youth and young adults to the Youth Advisory Council. The CONTRACTOR shall ensure that the Youth Advisory Council is comprised of youth and young adults across the state and reflects various communities throughout the local populations. The CONTRACTOR shall ensure that members on the Youth Advisory Council have varied experiences, and represent various outcomes for youth in foster care, such as reunification with family and other permanency outcomes, including, but not limited to, placement with relatives, adoption, legal guardianship, and transitioning out of foster care. c. Ensure that the Youth Advisory Council is comprised of five (5) separate Local Youth Advisory Councils representing Oahu, East Hawaii, West Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui County; with each Local Youth Advisory Council having a membership ranging between 3 and 8 members. Exact membership numbers may be determined by the needs of the geographic area. The Youth Advisory Council shall be comprised of youth (14-17) and young adults (18-26) currently in or formerly in foster care or otherwise involved in the child welfare system. d. Hold a minimum of two (2) statewide Youth Advisory Council meetings annually. e. Hold monthly Local Youth Advisory Council meetings for each of the five (5) geographic locations. f. Manage all logistical and facilitation considerations for Youth Advisory Council meetings, including but not limited to identifying and arranging meeting locations and arranging transportation, including transportation between islands, as necessary. g. Provide assistance on community collaborative projects involving the Court Improvement Program, CWS, DHS-contracted service providers, and other community partners, including but not limited to activities such as Olympic Day, Teen Days, OIF, and workshops by providing information to youth and to those working with the youth. h. Develop and deliver Trauma-Informed Trainings and Activities for the Youth Advisory Council members on: Child Abuse and Neglect, Lived-Experience partnerships, Community Collaboration, Leadership Skill Development, and other related trainings. i. Host workgroups and educational events for Youth Advisory Council members. j. Conduct ongoing recruitment of youth (14-17) and young adults (18-26), currently or formerly in foster care or otherwise involved in the child welfare system , for the Youth Advisory Council. Recruitment activities will include, but not be limited to: referrals from CWS or other providers; outreach during youth events and activities; and social media engagement. k. Accept and process applications to join the Youth Advisory Council. The CONTRACTOR may employ a method of their choosing, but should consider ways to streamline the process, such as online applications. l. Support the Youth Advisory Council members as they provide lived experience perspectives, guidance, and assistance to the DHS. m. Assist the Youth Advisory Council in the development of recommendations to DHS on the enhancement of services, practices, policies, procedures, and legislation. n. Provide stipends to all participants in the Youth Advisory Council for their services through such participation o. Arrange for reimbursement of additional administrative costs incurred by Youth Advisory Council members, such as for travel. 2. Providing Outreach and Supportive Services The CONTRACTOR shall: a. Provide support to the Youth Advisory Council to provide outreach and support services for youth and young adults currently or formerly in foster care or otherwise involved in the child welfare system. b. Partner with Youth Advisory Council members to provide peer support, education, and outreach through trainings, presentations, direct contact (via email, phone calls, and text), and activities at CWS and other facilities (e.g., shelters, correction facilities) or in collaboration with other partners (e.g., the Department of Education). c. Provide assistance and guidance for Youth Advisory Council members’ support and outreach efforts by providing resources for trainings and presentations, and answering questions Youth Advisory Council members may have. d. Support the Youth Advisory Council on the development of recommendations to DHS on the enhancement of services, practices, policies, procedures, and legislation, via the input received by the Youth Advisory Council through its participation in outreach and support of other youth and young adults currently or formerly in foster care or otherwise involved in the child welfare system. e. Collaborate with DHS, the Youth Advisory Council members, and other partners to help identify and develop resources for use in outreach and support efforts, including training materials, presentations, curricula, and other programs focused on child welfare specific topics. 3. Facilitation of the Foster Care Grievance Process (GP) The CONTRACTOR shall: a. Administer the foster care grievance process (also known as the “Pono Process”) for Hawaii youth aged 14-17 in foster care. The foster care grievance process is outlined as follows: i. A youth in foster care who has a grievance will work with members of the youth’s team (e.g., CWS Caseworker or Staff, Guardian Ad Litem, or Resource Caregiver) through the foster care grievance process. ii. A youth in foster care may advocate and speak directly with a judge and resolve the matter with the youth’s team and presiding judge. iii. If the youth feels the issue is unresolved, the youth may access the foster care grievance process to refer a problem or grievance for more assistance with a Grievance Process Navigator and Lead-Supervisor iv. The Grievance Process Team shall respond to all incoming grievance requests within 48 hours. v. The Grievance Process Team shall also forward the grievances to the DHS Section Administrator and to the Branch Administrators for their awareness and support for a resolution. vi. If the Navigator and Lead-Supervisor, with support from the youth’s team, presiding judge, and CWS Administrators, are unable to reach a resolution or decision with the youth in foster care, the youth will be assisted in exploring alternatives such as seeking the appointment of a youth’s attorney. b. Manage and facilitate improvement of the ongoing foster care grievance process in collaboration with and input from youth and young adults, DHS, and other partners.
