A. The Contractor must: Work collaboratively with the Department to successfully double the ratio of licensed foster families to one point five (1.5) families per child by July 1, 2026 through statewide foster parent recruitment and retention including participation in the professional development of resource parents. Provide all necessary equipment, facilities, office space, materials, postage, staff tools and verification of professional credentials, and training. Provide, compile, and distribute materials, all media equipment, copies and printing equipment, including rentals. Develop and maintain a website that utilizes collaborative branding between the Contractor and Department. Maintain completed criminal history background checks for all employees in accordance with the Criminal History Background check in accordance with IDAPA 16.05.06. Costs associated with the criminal history checks are the full responsibility of the Contractor. Ensure all recruitment coordinators and resource peer mentors understand the curriculum contained within Idaho’s pre-service training, Foster Idaho Resources and Skills Training (FIRST) and additional training available online through the Department’s learning management system. Resource Peer Mentors (RPM)s must be able to identify, support, and assist in referring families to training that supports skill development and support families in receiving placements within their placement preference. Ensure that all regional and statewide materials, messaging, and media that is used for recruiting and retaining families has been provided to and/or approved by the Contract Manager or Contract Monitor prior to publication or disbursement. This includes any information provided to potential or current foster parents such as newsletters and marketing material, outside of what is provided by the Department. The Contractor is responsible for developing messaging to be reviewed by the Department. Handouts tailored to specific events must use the Department’s messaging and branding with Department approval of any event-specific messaging. While invitation flyers to active foster parents would not require prior Department approval, the event and messaging of the flyer must be discussed during collaborative meetings with the Department’s regional or Central Office staff. Ensure that community partners, including but not limited to Idaho Tribes and other agencies contracted with the Department to provide support or foster care services, are invited to participate in recruitment efforts. Be solely responsible for the coordination, provision and costs associated with program and services requirements as outlined in this Contract. All Contractor staff working on Contract services must: Help promote a positive perception of foster care in Idaho. If at any time they feel they are unable to meet this requirement, the concerns must be addressed in collaboration with the Contractor and Contract Monitor or Contract Manager. Support the Department’s primary goal of reunification with parents or legal guardians whenever it is safe to do so. Learn and support all Department implemented practices, including new practice initiatives implemented in response to changes in federal and state law and/or to improve practice.
