Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Vermont Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division, (hereinafter called DCF) is seeking to establish service agreements with one or more companies that can provide parent-child contact services. These services shall provide immediately available, predictable supported family time to children/youth in DCF custody and their families in the Barre, Bennington Brattleboro, Burlington, Rutland, Springfield, and St. Albans districts. 1. Provide opportunities for parent-child contact, in the form of supported family time. Supported family time creates a safe environment for for parent-child contact to occur when the family is dealing/struggling with issues such as substance abuse, sexual abuse, and mental health issues. The Contractor shall provide guidance, modeling, and assistance to parents and children/youth as needed during the immediatelyavailable and predictable parent-child contact opportunities. This parent-child contact may be provided through facilitated family time or play groups for families that wish to participate; and 2. Identify, and refer families to, any local community-based resources that support parent-child contact, such as support or play groups. The Contractor shall not, under any circumstances, provide transportation to children/youth, parents, family members, or friends to or from the supported family time. The Contractor shall provide notes to the State worker within 30 days of the parent-child contact, documenting what was observed, as well as what guidance/coaching was offered. The Contractor may be called upon to provide testimony in court.
