SSN-RC-2022-020 - Head Start of Rockland Inc, to provide Family and Child Support Svcs for DSS

The County of Rockland is considering the issuance of a Sole Source award to Head Start of Rockland, Inc. (Head Start) for the provision of Parent and Child Support Services to residents of Rockland County. Funding amount is contingent on the adoption of the County of Rockland 2022 Annual Budget. As such, final funding amount may differ from the estimated amount.

TERM: January 1, 2022- December 31, 2022

This award may be made on a sole source basis in accordance with the Rockland County Procurement Policy.

PROGRAM/SERVICES:

Unit 1: Direct Services
Serve a minimum of 1,091* unduplicated children who will receive instruction in a classroom environment in preparation for kindergarten in locations throughout Rockland. The children will receive the following:

• • Three nutritious meals daily
  • Health of children is checked daily
  • Families are assisted by family workers
  • Provide home visits at least two (2) times per year to eligible (low income²) families with children ages 0 – 5 (approximately 1,091 children)
  • Visits will help parents achieve goals and/or obtain services that may include but are not limited to:
    • Finding employment or better employment
    • Saving money
    • Obtaining health insurance
    • School readiness for children
    • English as a Second Language classes
    • Assistance with filling out required forms for various applications
    • Child Support
    • Transportation
    • Housing
    • Information and education regarding role of Department of Social Services and Family Services Division

• • Service young children and families in their homes, parks, libraries, etc.
  • Weekly visits by a home educator and a nurse
  • Address needs of family and refer the family as needed

• • determine eligibility by verification of proof of income and age of child
  • submit quarterly, year-end, and any other reports as required by the Department of Social Services
  • maintain records indicating all Performance Target Outcomes have been met throughout contract term and provide records, to the Department of Social Services, containing substantive information to include, but not limited to, child identifier (name, initials, etc.), date of each visit, etc.
• Ensure that its information, and all updates, are provided to and contained on the “2-1-1- database system”. Provider will contact Hudson211 to complete the required forms within thirty (30) days of contract execution; [2-1-1 is a program of United Way in the Hudson Valley].
• Provider must include a written attestation that it will be delivering one or more of the following services to all of its clients, as applicable, under the resulting contract:

• Child Preventive Services (referral, monitoring supportive and rehabilitative services provided to children under the age of 18 and their families to avert disruption of family unit)
• Child Welfare Services (services to protect and promote the welfare and safety of all children, including individuals with disabilities; homeless, dependent or neglected children)
• Family Preservation Services (services for children and families designed to prevent harm to children and help families at risk or in crisis)
• Family Support Services (community-based services to promote the well-being of children and families designed to increase the strength and stability of families and enhance child development)

• • • Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and experience working with families who meet Head Start criteria.
    • Demonstrate Successful Experience providing the above services to eligible individuals and families by records indicating Performance Target Outcomes have been met.
    • Agency must provide services in 7 separate locations in Rockland County.
    • All locations must be accessible by public transportation.
    • Must have multi-lingual staff.
    • Staff must be trained as mandated reporters.
    • Staff must be trained in EPIC and the NYS Pyramid Model for Parents and Families/Social Emotional Development.
    • Above services must be provided a minimum of 30 hours per week.
    • Regular attendance at Haverstraw, Spring Valley, Nyack, and Western Ramapo Collaborative meetings
    • Designation as a NYS approved special education, evaluation, therapy and integrated classroom setting for preschool children at sites in Nyack, Haverstraw, and Spring Valley.
    • Designation as a federally authorized and funded preschool and early childhood education for low income children ages birth – five in Rockland County.
    • Must provide English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for beginning and intermediate students.
    • Must provide Parent Groups, to give participating parents an opportunity for empowerment, self-governance and parenting education.
    • Be a 501 (c) 3
    • Be governed by a Board of Directors
    • Be up-to-date with all IRS filings
    • Be up-to-date with all NYS filings
• Have a 2022 budget with Board approval

• Be fiscally sound
• Have a Non-discrimination Policy
• Have a Conflict of Interest Policy
• *Provide a copy of agency’s most recently filed 990 IRS Form

• Maintain program records for the purpose of an audit and provide to the County all program-related information including proprietary materials, upon request
• Submit quarterly and year end reports and any other reports as required by the Department of Social Services.
• Be available for on-site visits, announced and unannounced
• Submit quarterly vouchers, timely
• Quarterly Vouchers, which may only include expenses for the respective quarter,  that are not supported by the proper documentation and/or not provided to RCDSS within fourteen (14) days of the end of each quarter, or within five (5) days request by RCDSS, will not be considered for payment by RCDSS.