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 enhanced parenting time 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, $346,584 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 Enhanced Parenting Services for a term commencing on or about April 3, 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.

1. 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.

1. Deliver enhanced parenting time services to parents by communicating with the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services (DSS), the agency that coordinates the parenting time, to learn and understand what each parent is working to achieve and support these objectives during parenting times.
2. Promote early engagement with parents who enter the FTC to facilitate parenting sessions.
3. Discuss with each parent their individual priorities, observe their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss with them strategies for improving parent-child interactions, always working consistently with the plan developed by the Rensselaer County DSS.
4. Facilitate parent attendance at parenting sessions, including providing transportation assistance.
5. Supervise parenting time between parents and their children who are in foster care.
6. Provide parenting time after normal business hours, as needed.
7. Provide parenting time in a setting that is home-like and preferably includes access to features, such as a working kitchen, so that mealtime can be incorporated into parenting time sessions.
8. Provide age-appropriate skills, strategies, and education with a focus on substance abuse and how this affects the family.
9. Work with parents before and after each parenting time session to review the session and prepare for upcoming sessions.
10. Work with families to identify available resources in their lives that can assist with parenting time and transportation.
11. Prepare for and attend weekly pre-court FTC meeting.
12. Write progress notes and provide feedback about the parenting time session.
13. Work with families and prepare them for the children returning to the home.
14. Work with families, including the children, during the transition home.
15. Work with the families, including the children, after the transition home for at least three (3) months to make sure the family has the support they need to ensure stability and continued long-term reunification.
16. Provide recovery education to FTC parents for every phase of recovery from pre-recovery engagement through recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery.
17. Assist FTC parents in developing a recovery plan to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses regarding recovery.
18. Promote self-advocacy by assisting FTC parents to have their voices fully heard by the FTC team.
19. Support connections to community-based supports and mutual self-help groups. Link individuals to appropriate professional resources. Attend court and other system meetings for support.
20. Attend court, staffing, and permanency planning meeting/hearings. Provide the families with support, information, and assistance solving problems.
21. Conduct evaluations of the families, including the parents, identify needs and strengths, and make appropriate recommendations and referrals, always working consistently with the plan developed by the Rensselaer County DSS.
22. Attend trainings offered by Family Court.
23. Maintain project logs, reports and records in appropriate files and database(s).

Required Staffing:

1. Parenting Time Family Case Manager (full-time) with previous experience working with substance use disorder treatment systems, support services, and Family Court is preferred. The person will work closely with the designated FTC Coordinator to provide support, foster communication, and coordinate services and activities with FTC parents, their families, and the community to foster strength, healthy living, and overall well-being. 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.

1. Transportation Aide (full-time). The transportation aide will provide transportation for participants to parenting time sessions. Must be able to work flexible hours and will be required to travel throughout Rensselaer County. Must have his or her own transportation, a valid driver license, and an acceptable driving record.