Specifications include, but are not limited to: As a part of ongoing changes to Delaware’s juvenile justice system, the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families (DSCYF), Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) seeks qualified proposals for a geographically targeted Intensive Aftercare Re-Entry Program that supports the transition and reintegration of youth returning to the community from DYRS operated or contracted residential placements. A coordinated Re-Entry Program relies upon the creation of direct service teams that includes the youth and family, DYRS community probation officers, DYRS secure care treatment specialists or out-of-state program case managers, educational representatives, psychologists, clinicians, and other youth-family supports. The current re-entry model for DYRS involves a case management approach and includes the use of risk assessments to drive a case plan that identifies presenting problems, intervention plans, and progress information. However, it has been identified that additional support is needed to promote success in the following areas: education transition, community supports and outreach, and family services. Youth in the target population for services through contracts resulting from this RFP will have a high level of need and will present some risk to the community based upon their adjudicatory history, family circumstances, and time served in an out-of-home residential placement. The successful bidder(s) will provide a youth-family advisor to work with the DYRS community probation officer to provide community-based supports and transition assistance for youth preparing to re-enter the community after serving a residential, secure commitment. Bidders must describe their ability to develop a holistic approach with children and their families, who may have complex and challenging needs across a broad range of issues. The bidder must explain in detail how they will handle the following matters: specific methods for engaging families, identifying parental responsibilities and needs, assisting families with referrals to access educational or other services, developing individual service plans to include Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Vocational Training services in concert with parents, youth, DYRS and other appropriate community resources, and ensuring follow-through with service plan expectations.
