TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION



Texas Health and Human Services CommissionProcurement and Contracting Services Division(PCS)Community Based Care (CBC) Region 2RFA 530-18-0021Questions and ResponsesNovember 16, 2017Clarify: The CPA does not have to have an office in Region 2 as long as there is a CPA in the state and in good standing?Response: In order to apply to this solicitation, the SSCC must be a licensed HHSC CPA in good standing; however, it is not a requirement that they have an office in Region 2 at the time of application. It is the expectation of the Department that, should the applicant be selected as the SSCC for Region 2, they open office(s) in the catchment area in order to maintain the necessary relationships to support the Community-Based Care model.Since the SSCC cannot subcontract out any case management services, is there any room for collaborations with service providers?Response: Yes. The advertised CBC model requires strong collaboration with service providers so long as direct responsibility for case management remains with the SSCC. Please note that DFPS defines “case management” in a very specific way that does not include the activities currently performed by staff at Child Placing Agencies and General Residential Operations. For purposes of the RFA, applicants should consider “case management” to mean those traditional child welfare activities currently performed by DFPS caseworker staff.Can you discuss rate setting methodology for this RFA?Response: See Exhibit A. Statement of Work Article III Utilization and Compensation. This entire Article provides specific information on each SSCC payment type and the methodology used to determine catchment area specific rates and or payments. For more information on the proposed blended foster care rate rate for this catchment area, please visit the following: Exhibit A Statement of Work Section 3.02 (C), notes: There will be a certain number of children and youth in the designated catchment area with exceptional needs that cannot be met appropriately through the use the blended foster care rate. The exceptional care rate will be calculated based on the state’s utilization of child specific contracts. A rate will be established for each fiscal year. Is there any funding for start-up under this RFA?Response: Exhibit A: DFPS Statement of Work. Article III Utilization and Compensation Section 3.01 One Time Start-up Funds indicates that $907,000 is available for each stage (Stage I and Stage II) of the model. See also Exhibit C. Can the agency become a CPA after being awarded or do they need to be a CPA prior to applying?Response: An applicant does not have to be licensed as a CPA through HHSC at the time of proposal submission; however, the applicant must be licensed prior to accepting the first referral for placement services, which is anticipated to be no later than 6 months after the contract execution date.An entity must apply and receive a separate CPA license should the applicant be awarded the SSCC contract. HHSC Residential Child Care Licensing issues an initial permit for six months, during which time compliance is strictly monitored. If the agency is in compliance after this time period a full license is issued. A second initial period for an additional six months can occur if during the first six months the provider has not been able to maintain compliance with children in care. If the operation is not able to maintain or demonstrate compliance, then a license could be denied. An applicant should be aware of these timeframes and must have in place a full CPA permit prior to receiving the first SSCC referral. Please see: RFA Article II. Scope of Award Section 2.4.12.4 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS2.4.1 Minimum Qualifications of the SSCC (Stages I-III)(A) Licensing and Service Experiencei. Contractor must obtain and maintain a separate HHSC Child Placing Agency (CPA) license for its SSCC contract within the designated catchment area, if awarded this contract.ii. The SSCC must have experience in delivering residential child-care and treatment services to children and youth in foster care.iii. The SSCC must be licensed as a Child Placing Agency (CPA) to provide foster care services by HHSC Residential Child Care Licensing and must not be on probation under its CPA license as of the Proposal due date.If the agency has to be a CPA: If your agency is an “adopt” only agency will this be accepted if agency is not a Foster Care CPA? Response: No, the minimum qualifications of the SSCC require the SSCC be licensed as a Child Placing Agency (CPS) to provide foster care services by HHSC Residential Child Care Licensing See RFA Article II. Scope of Award Section 2.4.12.4 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS2.4.1 Minimum Qualifications of the SSCC (Stages I-III)An entity must apply and receive a separate CPA license should the applicant be awarded the SSCC contract. HHSC Residential Child Care Licensing issues an initial permit for six months, during which time compliance is strictly monitored. If the agency is in compliance after this time period a full license is issued. A second initial period for an additional six months can occur if during the first six months the provider has not been able to maintain compliance with children in care. If the operation is not able to maintain or demonstrate compliance, then a license could be denied. An applicant should be aware of these timeframes and must have in place a full CPA permit prior to receiving the first SSCC referral. When required to give preference to affected DFPS staff, at what point will we know who and when these folks will be affected. Is there an anticipated reduction plan in place?Response: The point at which the current employment of DFPS staff will be affected is dependent on the schedule, processes, procedure, and timeline for the implementation of community base care that includes the timeline for the SSCC implementing case management services for children, families, and relative and kinship caregivers as included in the requirement for Major Deliverable #2 – Development and Management of a Continuum of Care and Service Delivery Model. The model identified by the contractor that is awarded along with their demonstrated readiness as outlined in Exhibit A: DFPS Statement of Work Article V. Operations Readiness Section 5.01 will be factors that determine who and when specific DFPS staff will be affected.DFPS will work closely with the SSCC to negotiate and implement a transition plan during the Readiness Review prior to the Operational Start Date for Stage I and again prior to implementation of Stage II and case management services. Would a child transfer back to DFPS if they move from paid to unpaid foster care, i.e. SSCC identifies kinship placement?Response: Yes, but only in Stage I. In Stage I, a child would transfer back to DFPS if they moved from paid to unpaid foster care. In Stage II, the SSCC would be responsible for all services to children who are placed in paid and unpaid foster care, as well as case management responsibilities. Would AWOL be considered unpaid foster care? Response: Yes, however under certain circumstances the department may reimburse the SSCC for up to 14 days when a child has run away from placement. (Please see Section 3.3 of the DFPS Community Based Care Special Attachment in Packet 3 of the RFA posting. Will SSCC have any input re: appropriateness of a referral?Response: No, this RFA will award one No Eject/No Reject contract and the SSCC will be expected to accept and meet the needs of all children and families referred by the department. Please refer to Exhibit A: DFPS Statement of Work, Article II Scope of Work Section 2.19 Major Deliverable #4 – Placement Service and Services to ChildrenNotification Request for Services2) b. Accept all referrals (No Reject) made by DFPS and continue to meet the individual needs of children referred (No Eject) until DFPS determines the individual is no longer eligible for the SSCC services. Likewise in Stage II Section 2.27(B)2)b SSCC must accept all referrals (No Reject) made by DFPS and continue to meet the individual needs of the family and other individual referred (No Eject), until DFPS or the court determines an individual is no longer eligible for the SSCC services. This includes families and other individuals who reside outside of the catchment area.Is there a mechanism in place to prevent an absorbent amount of emergency referrals on day 1 of the contract?Response: No, there is no mechanism in place to limit emergency referrals on day 1 of the contract. However, the SSCC is required to submit a transition plan for the SSCC catchment area children that are already placed by DFPS in paid care. The SSCC Management Plan, DFPS Statement of Work, Article II. Section 2.13 (C) 1) requires the schedule, processes, and procedures for transition of children and youth from the catchment area who are already being served by the SSCC/ and/or the SSCC network in the legacy system to the SSCC model. Additionally the department will work with the SSCC to develop a plan and schedule for transfer of any children pending placement changes prior to the start date for Stage I in the catchment area.Re: Separate CPA license for SSCC. Does this separate license have to be completed before submission or submitted by submission date?Response: No, the SSCC must obtain and maintain a separate HHSC Child Placing Agency (CPA) license for its SSCC Contract. The SSCC must be licensed prior to accepting the first referral for placement services. RFA Article II. Scope of Award Section 2.4.12.4 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS2.4.1 Minimum Qualifications of the SSCC (Stages I-III)(A) Licensing and Service Experiencei. Contractor must obtain and maintain a separate HHSC Child Placing Agency (CPA) license for its SSCC contract within the designated catchment area, if awarded this contract. Re: Requirement for separate CPA license to not be on probation. Does that also include the automatic “Probation Period” that exists for a certain period of time for all newly licensed CPA’s?Response: According to the HHSC Residential Child Care Licensing, “probation” is a corrective action that is taken when there are high risk compliance concerns. The contract requirement for the SSCC to not be on “probation” is referring to a CPA that is under this licensing corrective action. See question 19 for more details. Re: Case Management (Stages II-III): will SSCC be held responsible for conducting case management with youth who were returned home or to family before SSCC took over area’s responsibilities? Response: Yes, case management services begins in Stage II, and would include all children in DFPS conservatorship until DFPS legal responsibility is dismissed by the court. This transition of responsibility would be in accordance with the transition plan that was provided by the selected SSCC under Section 2.14 (A) 3) and determined readiness to move into Stage II of the contract. Please, can you tell me if my agency needs to be licensed before we can become a provider for CBC?Response: It is not clear if this question is referring to an agency needing to be licensed before becoming an SSCC provider under this RFA or a subcontracted service provider for the SSCC once the SSCC contract is awarded. If the question is referring to becoming a subcontracted service provider for the SSCC, the subcontracting requirements to become a CBC provider will be determined by the SSCC. If the question is referring to the an agency needing to be licensed before becoming an SSCC provider under this RFA see Section 2.4.0 Minimum Qualifications of an SSCC, the SSCC must obtain and maintain a separate HHSC Child Placing Agency (CPA) license for its SSCC Contract. The SSCC must be licensed prior to accepting the first referral for placement services. Please see: RFA Article II. Scope of Award Section 2.4.12.4 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS2.4.1 Minimum Qualifications of the SSCC (Stages I-III)(A) Licensing and Service Experiencei. Contractor must obtain and maintain a separate HHSC Child Placing Agency (CPA) license for its SSCC contract within the designated catchment area, if awarded this contract.ii. The SSCC must have experience in delivering residential child-care and treatment services to children and youth in foster care.iii. The SSCC must be licensed as a Child Placing Agency (CPA) to provide foster care services by HHSC Residential Child Care Licensing and must not be on probation under its CPA license as of the Proposal due date. What are the qualifications for this position?Response: This Request for Application is not for a specific position within DFPS. It is for community-based care service delivery model that fully engages communities in serving children, youth, and families provided through a performance-based Single Source Continuum Contract (SSCC). The SSCC provider will ensure the full continuum of substitute care (foster and kinship care), purchased services, and child welfare case management services for children and youth in DFPS legal conservatorship from the designated geographic catchment area, those placed in the catchment area through Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) and through inter-regional agreements.17) Eligible Applicants 2.4.1 Minimum Qualifications of the SSCC (Stages I-III), PAGE 7(A) Licensing and Service Experience iii. The SSCC must be licensed as a Child Placing Agency (CPA) to provide foster care services by HHSC Residential Child Care Licensing and must not be on probation under its CPA license as of the Proposal due date. Question 1– Is the organization qualified if not licensed as a CPA at time of proposal due date? The organization is eligible for CPA licensure and will obtain license if awarded. Question 2 – If the organization is licensed for in-state adoption only, will this count towards eligibility?Response: See Question 5 and Question 6 I was hoping you could provide contract value of the current contract and if possible, revenue from previous year’s contracts?Response: See Exhibit A. Statement of Work Article III Utilization and Compensation. This entire Article provides specific information on each SSCC payment type and the methodology used to determine catchment area specific rates and or payments. See Exhibit C which also includes catchment area specific established payments amounts. Also, helpful historic catchment area specific data has been provide to you in the ESBD and eGrants posted Procurement Library. For more information on the proposed blended foster care rate for this catchment area, please visit the following: Is it possible for an agency to apply for this RFP prior to being a CPA? Is this something they could obtain after the award? Also, is an agency is adopt only would they qualify?Response: See Question 5 and Question 6 An entity must apply and receive a separate CPA license should the applicant be awarded the SSCC contract. HHSC Residential Child Care Licensing issues an initial permit for six months, during which time compliance is strictly monitored. If the agency is in compliance after this time period a full license is issued. A second initial period for an additional six months can occur if during the first six months the provider has not been able to maintain compliance with children in care. If the operation is not able to maintain or demonstrate compliance, then a license could be denied. An applicant should be aware of these timeframes and must have in place a full CPA permit prior to receiving the first SSCC referral. Section 2.16 – Exhibit A, Paragraph Number #4, Page Number Pg. 26 – Exhibit AText of Passage Being Quoted:? during initial contract negotiations, DFPS and the SSCC will negotiate the following:? (A) Percentage of children, legally from areas outside of the Region 2 catchment area, who are able to utilize any residential capacity maintained by any other provider under a Legacy Contract in Region 2 catchment area; and (B) Amount of time that residential capacity in the Region 2 catchment area will be open to other areas of the state.Question:?As this percentage will have a significant impact on all CPA’s in the region, will input be sought from those CPA’s in negotiation of this number, and is there already an existing percentage in place for Region 2?Response: This negotiation will be between DFPS and the SSCC. There is data available on the DFPS interactive data book that shows data regarding placement from other regions into Region 2. Section?Exhibit C, Paragraph # Line 1, Page # Line 1Text of Passage Being Quoted:? “One time Start-up”, “Estimated Amount (Per Stage of Implementation), “$907,000 for Stage I and II)Question:?For clarification, will there be two separate payments of $907,000 – 1 for Stage I and 1 for Stage II, or just one payment of $907,000 to cover combined start up for both stages. Response: Yes, 1 start-up payment for Stage I and 1 start-up payment for Stage I. See Question 4.Section 2.19.A.1.b– Exhibit A, Paragraph #1, Page #30 – Exhibit AText of Passage Being Quoted:?“As a part of Stage I, provide final approval or reason(s) for denial of all placement decisions within 24 hours of request for approval”Question:?Will DFPS rationale for placement denial/approval be clarified through set guidelines, or will this decision be left to the discretion of individual CPS staff and supervisors?Response: CPS staff and supervisor will use their knowledge of the child, youth, family and circumstances to make placement decisions. Factors that are used in all placement decisions include: ? ?? Placement with a noncustodial parent if there are no concerns of abuse or neglect? ?? Placement with siblings? ?? Placement with relatives and other connections? ?? The child’s education needs, including the need to maintain education stability? ?? Placement in the least restrictive setting? ?? Proximity of placement to the child’s home? ?? Child or youth’s individual needs and preferences? ?? Biological parents’ recommendations? ?? Substitute caregiver’s circumstancesStage I is a collaborative model where responsibility is shared between DFPS and the SSCC. The intent is for open collaborative communication between the two entities. A formal dispute resolution process will be developed through joint protocol sessions to be used when there is a disagreement between DFPS and SSCC staff.Section 2.02 – Exhibit A, Paragraph #2, Page #14Text of Passage Being Quoted:? ?The SSCC Provider will provide full continuum of substitute care for children and youth referred by DFPS from the catchment area, placed through ICPC, or through ‘inter-regional agreements’.? Question: Is there data to reflect the number of children placed in Region 2 that would fall under this ‘inter-regional agreement’ classification, and at what point in the process would theResponse: The question appears incomplete; however, the DFPS interactive data book can help identify placement trends in Region 2 . Also, see question 20 for more information. Section Exhibit C , Paragraph #Line 1, Page # Line 1Text of Passage Being Quoted:? NoneQuestion:? ?Will costs related to transportation for service to Region 2 Legacy children placed outside of Region 2 be negotiated, or is this cost captured in the blended-rate or FTE per child? Response: No, the cost is captured in the Stage I Resource Transfer and in the negotiated Case Management Rate in Stage II. General – does the SSCC need to submit cost proposals for any of negotiated rates indicated in the Funding Matrix?Response: Yes, see Exhibit A. Statement of Work Section 3.05 The Contractor must propose funding needed to perform conservatorship, family services, kinship home development and maintenance, and case management services as described in this application. See also Addendum Cost proposal required Exhibits G & H. 3.02 - Foster Care; 3.07 –Can the SSCC request the statewide projections by Level of Care/Placement/Strata or legacy costs by category, e.g., payroll and benefits? Other than the cost principles in the Uniform Guidance, is there any other publicly available information on cost components?Response: For more cost related information, see Exhibit A. Statement of Work Article III Utilization and Compensation, Exhibit C, and historic catchment area specific data provided to you in the ESBD and eGrants posted Procurement Library. The SSCC contracts are catchment area specific. For more information on the proposed blended foster care rate for this catchment area, please visit the following: In addition to the information provided in Response to Question 18, there is historical information regarding utilization and foster care on the DFPS public website, please visit the following links for more information: 3.07 - Independent Living: Can the SSCC obtain the cost components for Independent Living rates?Response: The Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Payment Rates may be accessed by visiting the following webpage: – Extended Foster Care: Can the SSCC obtain the cost components for Extended Foster Care rates?Response: Section 3.08 Extended Foster Care (excluding SIL placements) (Stages I - III).DFPS will reimburse the SSCC the blended foster care rate for young adults who remain in paid foster care through the Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement (VEFCA) excluding SIL placements. 3.03 – CBC Support: Can the SSCC obtain the cost components for CBC support?Response: Section 3.03 DFPS will pay the SSCC for costs incurred for procedural system enhancements and efficiencies, including capacity development, community engagement, network development and oversight, at the rate of $1,900 per child FTE. The amount is determined by multiplying the annual forecasted child FTEs per fiscal year by $1,900 per child FTE. At the conclusion of each state fiscal year after completion data is available, DFPS will perform a true-up based on actual child FTEs for the catchment area. If the actual child FTEs are above the forecasted number for the year, DFPS will pay for the additional child FTEs. If the actual child FTEs are below the forecasted number for the year, SSCC will remit the overage per child FTEs to DFPS. Historic data on catchment areas child FTE’s can be found on the DFPS public website, please visit the following links for more information: 3.04 – Resource Transfer: How does DFPS reconcile Texas cost savings compared to SSCC efficiencies? Are the amounts available to the SSCC limited to DFPS savings?Response: See Exhibit A. Statement of Work and Section 3.04 (A) and (B) noted below:Resource Transfer (Stage I)Placement staff will be determined by using the percent of children in care for SSCC catchment area multiplied by the number of state staff performing the functions multiplied by statewide percent of children in paid foster care. The percent will be based on the most complete fiscal year reporting period.Conservatorship staff will be determined by using the percent of children in care for SSCC catchment area multiplied by the number of state staff performing the functions in Stage I multiplied by statewide percent of children in paid foster care. The percent will be based on the most complete fiscal year reporting period. Contract Management staff will be determined using the percent of children in care for SSCC catchment area multiplied by the number of state staff performing the functions for residential contract management staff. For regional contract management staff, the statewide percent of children in paid foster care is applied to the methodology above. The percent will be based on the most complete fiscal year reporting period. Resource Transfer (Stage II-III)Contract Management staff will be determined using the percent of children in care for SSCC catchment area multiplied by the number of state staff performing the functions. The percent will be based on the most complete fiscal year reporting period. In Stage II, the SSCC is transferred the proportion of all regional contract management staff.Resource transfers for placement and conservatorship staff discontinue in Stage II and III. 3.05 – Case Management: Does the SSCC need to submit proposed case management provisional rates, or will the rate proposals occur after contract negotiation?Response: Yes, see Exhibit A. Statement of Work Section 3.05 The Contractor must propose funding needed to perform conservatorship, family services, kinship home development and maintenance, and case management services as described in this application. Prior to the start-up period, before Stage II implementation, DFPS and the SSCC will negotiate the funding that will be provided to the SSCC to perform case management services as described in this application. Case management will be paid as a daily rate per case management day per child through monthly IMPACT invoicing. The case management days are forecasted for each fiscal year by catchment area. See also Addendum Cost proposal required Exhibit G. 3.06 – Quality and Utilization: How does DFPS reconcile Texas cost savings compared to SSCC efficiencies? Are the amounts available to the SSCC limited to DFPS savings?Response: See Exhibit C Funding Matrix and Exhibit A Statement of Work, Section 3.06. As DFPS and the SSCC move through the stages of implementation, some of the quality and utilization management functions performed by DFPS (via a third-party contract) will transfer to the SSCC. As a result, DFPS will provide funding commensurate with the transfer of functions from DFPS to the SSCC. The Quality and Utilization Management funding will be paid to the SSCC each quarter via invoicing prepared by DFPS staff. The Quality and Utilization Management will be determined using the percent of children in care for SSCC catchment area multiplied by the statewide quality and utilization contract amount. 3.10 – Chaffee Funds: What is the process for the SSCC to determine the funds to be allocated?Response: The Chaffee funds to be allocated annually to the SSCC will be determined by DFPS, using the methodology noted in Exhibit A Statement of Work, Section 3.10. An annual federal award of Chafee funds are provided to DFPS. The SSCC will be provided the appropriate allocated share according to stage of implementation. As the statewide DFPS budget is adjusted, the SSCC allocation will be adjusted (increase or decrease). These funds are provided through the use of federal John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) federal funds, referred to as Chafee funds. 3.11 – Adoption: Does the SSCC need to submit proposed adoption provisional rates, or will the rate proposals occur after contract negotiation?Response: The rate proposal for Stage I purchased adoption services will take place as part of the final SSCC contract negotiations. Purchased service funds vary based on the SSCC stage of implementation - see Exhibit C. As indicated in Exhibit C some purchase of services funds are negotiated based on the SSCC’s stage of implementation, such as Adoption, and will take place via contract negotiations. DFPS will provide Stage II Purchased Client Service funds based on the respondents submitted cost proposal (see Exhibit H).3.12 – purchased services – Does the SSCC need to submit proposed purchased services overhead allocation cost components, or will the rate proposals occur after contract negotiation?Response: Purchased of services funds vary based on the SSCC stage of implementation - see Exhibit C. As indicated in Exhibit C some purchase of services funds are negotiated based on the SSCC’s stage of implementation, and others such as PAL services; paid with Chafee funds, are allocations determined by DFPS. The Respondent is required to submit a cost proposal for Stage II Purchased Client Services. DFPS will provide Stage II Purchased Client Service funds based on the respondents submitted cost proposal (see Exhibit H). I have reviewed the Amendment published for the above RFA. I saw the changes in Exhibit C & found the following changes in Exhibit A – Statement of Work:On page 50, Referral & Case mgmt; Letter C referenced the incorrect chart. It should be chart 15 vs 14On page 70, Invoice Process - missing the process & chart for Children & Youth; it has now been addedI wanted to confirm there were no other changes other than some formatting.Response: There were several other changes; please use the Exhibit A, Statement of Work and Exhibit C Funding Matrix that were posted in the Addendum as you complete your proposal. Request for Application: Major Deliverable #2: Development and Management of a Continuum of Care and Service Delivery Model; f) Plan to give employment preference to employees of DFPS whose position is being impacted by the implementation of Community-Based Care. Top of pg. 17, Better understand requirements: f- How will we know employees are in good standing? Can you provide more details on process expected?Response: Please see Question 7. Additionally DFPS will work with the SSCC to provide information on an employee’s status to ensure that they are in good standing with the department. Also, as part of the readiness review prior to the Operational Start Date for Stage I and again prior to implementation of Stage II and case management services, DFPS and the SSCC will work closely to negotiate and implement a transition plan.Request For Application: SSCC Administrative Management; a) The Respondent must submit a complete listing of proposed Network of Providers including the type and anticipated percentage of services they will deliver. Such listing must indicate for each provider type, the name, address, and copies of signed contracts or letters of intent to contract, Page 17. Do we need a LOI for each proposed provider?Response: Yes. Request for Application: Legal/Regulatory; c) Describe the plan to assume the statutory duties of the department in connection with the delivery of case management, substitute care services and services for kinship caregivers in that catchment area. Sub-contracting, Page 18. Can you explain what is meant by statutory duties? What is included? Response: Statutory duties include those outlined in the Texas Family Code for DFPS. Statement of Work: Implementation of the SSCC will occur in three stages in the designated catchment area. Progression from Stage I to Stage II will depend upon the SSCC’s demonstrated readiness. Progression from Stage II to Stage III will depend upon demonstrated readiness, but will occur no earlier than 18 months from the date DFPS makes the first referral for case management services to the SSCC as a part of implementation Stage II. All three stages are included as a part of this procurement, Page 14 Section 2.03. 1) Can you provide more detail of what demonstrated readiness will entail? 2) What will be the process to make the assessment of ‘Demonstrated Readiness’?Response: Please see Exhibit A, Statement of Work, Article V Operations Readiness, Section 5.01 for readiness review activities and expectations.Stage I Placement Services, Additionally, DFPS will refer children from the catchment area placed in paid foster care prior to implementation of community based care to the SSCC in the event that they require a change of placement, Page 14-15, Section 2.04. It states, DFPS will refer children ‘prior to implementation of community based care”, Is this during the start-up phase?Response: No, there are no referrals to the SSCC during the Start-up Period. In Stage I, the SSCC will receive their first referral for a child who requires a paid foster care placement only after DFPS has certified that the SSCC has demonstrated that it is sufficiently prepared to receive its first referral. Stage II Case Management begins the day the first referral for case management occurs following the Start-Up Period. In addition to the requirements outlined in Stage I, the SSCC must also provide case management services to all referred children, youth and families, Page 15, Section 2.05. Are both Purchased Client Services & Case Management required for Stage II, or can the SSCC negotiate to move forward (based on demonstrated readiness) with Purchased Client Services only? Then move to Case management based on demonstrated readiness?Response: DFPS anticipates that both Purchased Client Services and Case Management Services will be required for Stage II.Stage II Case Management. The SSCC will also receive purchased client services funding to provide services for families and other individuals that support the achievement of safety, permanency, and well-being for children in DFPS conservatorship. The SSCC must use a portion of the purchased client services funding to provide additional services to children, youth and young adults, including Post-Adoption, PAL Aftercare, and Education Training Voucher (ETV), Page 15, Section 2.05. For the additional services such as PAL & Post Adoption, will the SSCC be required to submit a competitive bid for these services, or can we award to an organization already providing these services in our Region?Response: If this question is referring to submitting a competitive bid to DFPS for these additional services, the answer is no. DFPS will provide Stage II Purchased Client Services funds to the SSCC based on the respondents submitted cost proposal (see Exhibit H).If the question is referring to procurement requirements for these additional services by the SSCC once awarded the SSCC contract under this RFA the SSCC must have procurement policies and procedures and must adhere to them in awarding contracts. During the Bidders conference conducted on 10/27/17, the question was asked if AWOL kids (runners) would be considered unpaid. HHSC confirmed they would be unpaid & also mentioned there could be other situations in which this would occur. Can you provide details of other scenarios in which payment would not be provided?Response: Please see the response to Question 9.For the RFP, will DFPS require the financials for case management? Concerned we do not know the transfer rate.Response: Not at this time, if an applicant is awarded an SSCC contract, cost proposals for case management will be required as part of readiness and progression to Stage II. ................
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