A qualified Contractor is needed to provide community-based residential services to youthful offenders transitioning from a secure SCDJJ facility. Only youth referred by the SCDJJ will be considered for admission. Contractor must ensure that the facility complies with the licensure requirements of SCDSS and maintain compliance through mandatory relicensing, as enforced by SCDSS. Per DSS licensing regulations, children in this level of care may present with a significant mental health disorder, and are impaired in social, educational, familial and occupational functioning. The children are not able to adequately care for physical needs without external support due to psychiatric disorder, developmental, social, cognitive or specific medical limitations. These children need help to develop the educational, social, behavioral, and coping skills necessary to return to a less structured environment. Behaviors of children may include thought, emotional, or behavioral disorders, depression, withdrawal, stealing, running away, inappropriate sexual acting out, moderate self-abuse, and aggression. As needed, behavioral health professionals come to the facility to provide treatment, or children receive services in the community. Contractor will provide group home and educational services that comply with state and federal laws as well as SCDJJ requirements. Family/Guardian involvement and family-based intervention is required and interaction with the family/guardian should be established early within the program. Contractor must ensure that all service components meet or exceed the requirements outlined in the State Standards for Residential Services provided in Attachment 1. Care plan goals should be structured to be achievable within the youth’s designated length of stay. To support successful reentry, Contractor must collaborate with CCM to develop tailored recommendations for the youth’s aftercare plan. The awarded Contractor must demonstrate flexibility in program design and delivery to accommodate the evolving needs of the youth population served by SCDJJ. SCDJJ may request reasonable modifications to program components, delivery methods, or target populations based on emerging data, participant feedback, or agency priorities. All requested changes shall be communicated in writing and must be mutually agreed upon. If such changes materially affect the scope, timeline, or cost of services, the Contractor may submit a formal request for contract amendment subject to SCDJJ approval.
