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 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purpose of establishing a contract to provide services consistent with principles of restorative justice (RJ) for appropriate juvenile justice referrals from the New York City Department of Probation (NYC DOP). These services will be delivered pursuant to a program titled the Community Resolve Initiative (CRI).

CRI is a collaboration among UCS, NYC DOP, and nonprofit Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) located in New York City. Using an approach rooted in RJ principles, CRI strives to repair harm caused by youth engaged in criminal activity as well as meet the needs of victims and the community, prevent further involvement in the justice system, and help participating youth gain a greater understanding of the harm they have caused. CRI was originally implemented after the New York State Legislature enacted “Raise the Age” legislation to change the age when a child can be prosecuted as an adult in a criminal case. With “Raise the Age” laws now fully implemented, the majority of cases involving 16- and17-year-olds flow through the Family Court and therefore require age-appropriate services to build community and repair harm.

The target population for CRI is 16-and 17-year-olds under the jurisdiction of Family Court for person-on-person offenses (e.g., assault and robbery cases) that are eligible and suitable for NYC DOP’s adjustment services. [1] The selected vendor will engage young people involved in the juvenile justice system (also referred to as the ‘person who caused harm’) and those impacted by their behavior, which includes complainants (also referred to as victims or the ‘person who was harmed’) as well as the young person’s family and circle of influence. In addition, and as program capacity allows, NYC DOP may refer cases involving individuals other than 16- or 17-year-olds or individuals arrested for conduct not constituting person-on-person offenses.

After execution of the contract resulting from this RFP, NYC DOP probation officers and CDRC staff members will continue to offer CRI services collaboratively across all five NYC boroughs and will include options in three general categories:

1. Services that will help young people who were arrested improve behavior, build community, and repair harm;
2. Services that assist victims and others affected by the incident; and,
3. Services that provide an opportunity for the young person who was arrested and victims to interact directly in an effort to repair harm.

CRI is designed to meet the needs of victims and the community, prevent further involvement with the juvenile justice system, and help young people who have been arrested gain a greater understanding of the harm they have caused. To do so, CRI provides a range of RJ practices as appropriate, including restorative conferences, meetings with victims, helping victims navigate the justice system and find appropriate services and resources; and other RJ-based services.

PROJECT INFORMATION

NYC DOP (the “Grantor”) and UCS are expected to share equally the cost for services delivered under the contract resulting from this RFP. The maximum available funding for Project Services (as set forth in Article V below) performed during April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2026, will not exceed $765,100, 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 a term beginning on or around April 1, 2023, and terminating on March 31, 2026 (“Contract Term”). This award is contingent on receipt of funding from NYC DOP.

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

UCS will only consider proposals from applicants that are currently (that is, at time of application and award) under contract with UCS to operate a CDRC pursuant to Judiciary Law Article 21-A in one or more of the following counties in New York State: Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, or Richmond County. Judiciary Law § 849?e(1) authorizes the UCS Chief Administrator to accept and disburse money from any public or private agency or person for the purposes of effectuating the provisions of Judiciary Law Article 21-A. UCS has determined that delivering RJ services pursuant to the CRI is consistent with the intent and provisions of that Article; accordingly, UCS has determined that the services procured from this RFP are an enhancement to the community dispute resolution services provided pursuant to existing contracts with current CDRCs.

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. Conduct case intake and case management for all referred cases, including educating referred parties about restorative conferences and their benefits; screening cases for appropriateness and safety; preparing interested parties to participate in the process; and following up with parties after services have been delivered.
2. Facilitate restorative conferences that include persons who caused harm, people who were harmed, and other people who were impacted by the harm.
3. Meeting with people who were harmed to help them navigate the justice system and find appropriate services and resources.
4. Provide other supportive services as requested by NYC DOP, such as support circles, mediation, conflict coaching, and facilitating the development of victim impact statements and apology letters.
5. Provide ongoing training to restorative conference facilitators and neutrals providing other supportive services.
6. Maintain collaborative relationships with NYC DOP staff at the borough and central office.
7. Utilize a database to store case information.
8. Provide reports to NYC DOP on a regular basis regarding case activity, case outcomes, and client satisfaction.
9. Maintain confidential case files.

Required Staffing:

Staff hired or funded under this grant will be expected to provide a combination of work at NYC DOP offices (on-site work) and work not performed at those sites (off-site work). Staff will be expected to provide at least the following on-site presence at each NYC DOP local borough office:

1. Bronx County:
   -Bronx County Family & Intake Services (BFIS), 900 Sheridan Avenue, 6th Floor, Bronx, NY – one day per week
   -Bronx Youth Part, Bronx County Hall of Justice, 265 E. 161 ^st Street, Bronx, NY – one day per week
2. Kings County (Brooklyn): Kings County Family & Intake Services (KFIS), 330 Jay Street, 11th Floor, Brooklyn, NY - two days per week
3. New York County (Manhattan): New York County Family & Intake Services (MFIS)
   60 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY - two days per week
4. Queens County:
   -Queens County Family & Intake Services (SFIS), 151-20 Jamaica Avenue, 1st Floor, Jamaica, NY - one day per week
   -Queens Youth Part, 125-01 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens, NY – one day per week
5. Richmond County (Staten Island): Richmond County Family & Intake Service (SIFIS), 130 Stuyvesant Place, 4th Floor, Staten Island, NY - one day per week

[1] “The term adjustment services means services provided by probation pursuant to [ Family Court Act § 308.1 ] for the purpose of avoiding the need to file a petition or direct the detention of the youth. The objective of adjustment services is to provide prompt attention to: victim reparation, public safety, and the reduction of future risk of recidivism. Such services shall include efforts to adjust cases before a petition is filed, or by order of the court, after the petition is filed but before fact-finding is commenced.” 9 NYCRR § 356.1(e) . For additional information regarding adjustment services, see 9 NYCRR § 356.7 .