The New York State (NYS) Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has released this targeted request for proposals (RFP) to solicit competitive applications to fund one (1) post-adoption program for families who meet Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility requirements and are residing within any of the five (5) boroughs of New York City (NYC).

OCFS currently supports post-adoption community-based programs throughout NYS. This program must be designed to provide services across all five (5) boroughs of NYC. Applicants may apply for funding to start a new program or continue an existing program. A new program must begin providing services within sixty (60) calendar days of the contract start date. Program services must include case management and referral, support groups, education, family engagement and maintenance, and family preservation.

The award resulting from this procurement will have a five-year contract term from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2029, for an award of up to $325,000 per year. If the selected awardee is not a current contractor, a transition period of two (2) months will occur from April 1, 2024, to the operational start date of June 1, 2024. This will allow the new contractor to get up-and-running and for the seamless transition of clients from the current contractor.

Through this RFP, applicants may apply for funding to:

• continue and/or enhance an existing program;
• re-establish a successful program that was discontinued due to lack of funding;
• continue a program that is at risk of discontinuation due to lack of funding; or
• start a new program.

The proposed program model must include services that:

• promote permanency for post-adoptive families;
• provide assistance to post-adoptive families so children may be cared for in their own homes with their adoptive parent(s);
• strengthen post-adoptive families and avoid foster care or other out-of-home placements;
• provide services to post-adoptive child(ren) between the ages of 0-21 years; and
• appropriately satisfy TANF eligibility standards for families.

Program design must provide partnerships with other area agencies and include collaboration with community members. Each program must:

• be trauma-informed;
• be child-centered and family-focused;
• understand cultural humility and be culturally responsive;
• practice a strength-based approach to family engagement;
• be non-judgmental and affirming;
• be flexible in adapting services to family needs; and
• be easy to access in location and hours.

Applicants must embed the following six (6) Principles of Partnership in their program design throughout their culture, services, and practices:

1. Everyone desires respect.
2. Everyone needs to be heard.
3. Everyone has strengths.
4. Judgments can wait.
5. Partners share power.
6. Partnership is a process.

Please see the RFP document located on the "Documents" tab for additional information and submission requirements.