BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The mission of the New York State Unified Court System (UCS) is to deliver equal justice under the law and to achieve the just, fair and timely resolution of all matters that come before our courts. In the service of our mission, the UCS is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, and to ensuring that all who enter or serve in our courts are treated with respect, dignity, and professionalism. We affirm our responsibility to promote a court system free from any and all forms of bias and discrimination and to promote a judiciary and workforce that reflect the rich diversity of New York State. More information about the UCS is available at https://www.nycourts.gov .

The UCS Office of Court Administration’s (OCA) Division of Professional and Court Services (DPCS) is soliciting proposals via this RFP for the purpose of establishing a contract to provide support navigation, recovery peer advocacy, and community education services to the Rensselaer County Family Treatment Court (FTC).

UCS operates family drug treatment courts throughout the state. Family drug treatment courts identify parents who have a dependency petition filed against them in which alcohol and/or substance use contributed to the neglect of their children. A family drug court involves an intervention by the court in cooperation with a team of specialists in social services, treatment, and child welfare professionals in the local community. In return for enhanced services and support for family re-unification, respondents are given the option of entering voluntarily into court-supervised treatment.

Coordination of court, treatment and social services to participants requires a specialized combination of expertise with the justice, substance use, mental health, and social services communities.

PROJECT INFORMATION

UCS is the recipient of an award (the “Grant Award”) by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) (the “Grantor”) to implement a FTC in Rensselaer County, NY. Pursuant to the terms of the Grant Award, $235,417 is the maximum available funding for Project Services (as set forth in Article V below) performed during October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2025, provided, however, that such period may be extended upon mutual agreement of Grantor and UCS (the “Project Term”). UCS reserves the right to request a no-cost extension of the Project Term from the Grantor.

AWARD

UCS intends to award one contract for Rensselaer County FTC support navigation, certified recovery peer advocacy, and community education services for a term commencing on or about February 15, 2023, and terminating on or about September 30, 2025 (“Contract Term”).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Contract Term of any contract resulting from this RFP may extend to a term not to exceed five (5) years in total, which contract shall terminate upon the earlier of: (i) five (5) years from the contract commencement date; or (ii) the complete expenditure of funding available for Project Services, whichever is earlier, unless otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms of said contract. Awarded contractor shall be contractually obligated to provide the Project Services for the Project Term, as it may be amended or extended. UCS and awarded contractor shall communicate regularly concerning the remaining amount of grant funds and the approximate timing of complete expenditure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Proposals will be considered only from applicants who meet the following qualifications:

• Applicants must possess at least two years of experience in performing services relevant to those described herein.
• Applicants must have the ability to provide Project Services (hereinafter defined) to clients within Rensselaer County.

PROJECT SERVICES

UCS seeks proposals describing how the applicant will provide the services listed below (“Project Services”). The selected applicant shall be required to provide the Project Services, including the required staffing, listed below. The rightmost columns show which staff position(s) (see Required Staffing, below) is/are responsible for each service.

Required Staffing:

1. Family Support Navigator (part-time, .25 FTE) with previous experience working with substance use disorder treatment systems and support services. Must have experience working effectively and cooperatively with families of diverse backgrounds. Must possess knowledge of the Family Treatment Court Best Practices, Protected Health Information (PHI), along with ethical and compliance standards. The Family Support Navigator work location will be off-site (not at the FTC) but will work closely with the designated FTC Resource Coordinator to provide participants and kinship with support navigating the Family Court System, Department of Social Services, educational system, Office of Mental Health, Office of Addiction Services and Support and other necessary community resource agencies. Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of social work, counseling, psychology, sociology. CASAC or other qualified healthcare credential is strongly preferred. Minimum of five years’ work experience in the field. Ability to work cooperatively with treatment and criminal justice systems.

1. Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) (full-time) with a working knowledge of the substance use disorder treatment systems, support services, and a demonstrated commitment to the recovery community. The CRPA will be located on-site in the FTC and will work closely with, and report directly to, the designated FTC Resource Coordinator to serve as a peer mentor, advocate, and life coach to participants in the Rensselaer FTC. Must be available by cell phone, have flexible hours, and be able to escort FTC parents and family members to off-site referrals, community services and events and sober support meetings. Hours will include weekend and evening hours. Required qualifications:

• High School diploma or educational equivalent required. NYS OASAS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate-Family (CRPA-F) is required.

Preferred qualifications:

• Preference will be given to those who have lived experience of people in recovery.

1. Community Educator (part-time, .25 FTE) with previous experience working with substance use disorder treatment systems and support services. Must have experience working effectively and cooperatively with families of diverse backgrounds. Must possess knowledge of the Family Treatment Court Best Practices, Protected Health Information (PHI), along with ethical and compliance standards. The Community Educator work location will be off-site (not at the FTC) but will work closely with the designated FTC Resource Coordinator to provide participants and kinship with support navigation barriers to addiction recovery services.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of social work, counseling, psychology, sociology. CASAC or other qualified healthcare credential is strongly preferred. Minimum of three years’ work experience in the field. Ability to work cooperatively with treatment and criminal justice systems.

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