Request for Proposal

The Alabama Department of Youth Services (DYS) seeks proposals from qualified entities to:

A. Provide mental health evaluation services to individuals committed to DYS as designated by the Director or his designee using assessment instruments specified by DYS. Said evaluation is to be performed by qualified persons.

B. Provide face-to-face evaluation within seven (7) days and provide a written repo1t along with completed assessment instruments within 14 days of notification by DYS that an individual needs evaluation.

See Attached Appendix I- listing facilities where such assessments and evaluations have been conducted. Appendix 2 - general policies regarding the classification of committed youth. Appendix 3 - samples of clinical interviews and psychological evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: DYS has determined that there exists an identifiable need for individuals committed to DYS to receive a mental health evaluation and that it is required by law to provide such services.

CONTRACT PERIOD: The contract period should be approximately 30 days after the award of the contract and shall continue for a period of one-two years, to be negotiated between the provider and DYS.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The successful entity will have prior experience in providing mental health evaluations to youth such as those committed to DYS through the Court system. Further, the successful entity shall have extensive experience in evaluating and treating youth such as those placed in a DYS custody and/or detention facility by the courts.

CONTENT OF PROPOSAL: should be presented in a clear and concise format on standard letter size paper and should, at a minimum, contain the following:

A list of all prior experience with DYS evaluation, clinical interviews, administration of instruments and other related experience and the physical location where such services were conducted.

A list of evaluation instruments that the provider and its employees are qualified to use and any applicable certification.

A list of the most frequency used evaluation instruments/tools used by the provider and its employees for the past 3 years.

List of the employees who will be providing these services, including educational and training background and experience, including professional licensure/certification, relating specifically to youth placed outside of the home in either a residential setting or a detention environment.

A list of all similar and/or related evaluations the entity has conducted within the past three (3) years.

Proposals should include costs estimates of evaluation, clinical interviews, administration of assessment instruments and how such costs estimates are detennined, i.e. hourly rate, flat fee rates, etc.

All business infonnation related to the organizational structure of the entity, i.e. corporate or partnership information.

ACT 2001-955 requires a disclosure statement to be completed and filed with all proposals, bids, contracts, or grant proposals submitted to the State of Alabama in excess of $5000. The form is available at http://www.ago.state.al .us/Page-Vendor-disc loure-Statement-lnformation-and-instructions .

ACT 2011-535, as amended by Act 2012-491, requires that you enroll in the federal E-Verify program if awarded the contract. A completed form must be attached. Instructions are available at http://preserveala.org/everifv.aspx

Finance and DYS will no longer be able to update or correct billing addresses. This will be the responsibility of the Vendor. All Vendors must have an activated account within STARRS. If needed, the account can be activated by verifying the Taxpayer ID Number (TIN) and creating a VSS portal login ID. This can be done by visiting the VSS Portal https://procurement.staars.alabama.gov. Once the account is created, the Vendor will go to www.vendor.alabama.gov to access the account.

According to STAARS the name and address on the contract, E-Verify and invoice must be the same. Please note that if the Vendor is doing business under another company, a Company Profile Page must accompany the E-Verify to associate the two companies.

A current request for Taxpay Identification Number and Certification (W-9 form) must be submitted with the response.

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL INFORMATION:

Original proposals and three copies must be received by 4:00 p.m. on December 6, 2019 to Alabama Department of Youth Services, 1000 Industrial School Road, P.O. Box 66. Mt. Meigs, AL 36057. A1TN: Chanda Leshoure. Late proposals will not be accepted.

The Department of Youth Services anticipates that the proposals will be evaluated and the contract awarded by December 11, 2019. DYS expressly reserves the right to reject any or all submitted proposals. All entities submitted proposals shall be notified of DYS' decision regarding this proposal no later than December 13, 2019.

For technical questions regarding this Request for Proposal, please contact T. Dudley Perry, Jr at 334-215-3803 or via email at Dudley.Perry@dys.alabama.gov.

Appendix I

FACILITY ADDRESS CONT ACT PERSON Autauga HIT 1601 County Rd. 57 Alicia Faire

Prattville, AL 36067

Pathway 111 North Bell Street Patrick Parker Dothan, AL 36303

Bridge Kennington/ Mitchell 3232 Lay Springs Road Kim Harden Gadsden, AL 35901

King's Home 221 King's Home Drive LaQuarey Files Chelsea, AL 35043

Lee County Voyages l 10 I Spring Drive Phaedra Winston Opelika, AL 36801

Laurel Oaks Behavioral Center 700 Cottonwood Road Dothan, AL 36301

Mt. Meigs Complex P. 0. Box 66 Ja'Tyus Kelly Mt. Meigs, AL 36057

New Life Center for Change Teen 707 Dillingham Street Abraham Ross University Phenix City, AL 36868

Rite of Passage 851 Sprott Drive Mt. Meigs, AL 36057

Sequel TSI Owens Cross Road 318 Hamer Road Mahalian Boykin Transitions/Directions Owens Cross Road, AL 35763

Sequel TSI Tuskegee 4280 U.S. Highway 29S Michael Provitt Tuskegee, AL 36083

Vacca Campus 8950 Roebuck Boulevard Donna Oden Bailey CAP Binningham, AL 35206

STARR

Working on Womanhood 6002 12th A venue East Jill Beck (W.0.W) Tuscaloosa, AL 35405

Appendix 2

GENERAL POLICIES REGARDING THE CLASSIFICATION OF COMMITTED YOUTH

(Revised May 2017)

The Screening and Placement Committee will initially classify all juveniles referred to the Alabama Department of Youth Services within five days of completed notification. The classification and placement decisions are made simultaneously. Classification decisions are based upon court orders, risk assessment scores, and reports from probation officers, psychologists and others familiar with the child. Placement decisions match resources with the identified needs of the students. A three-member panel (described later) has the responsibility and authority to make classification and placement decisions.

Risk Assessment Score

A primary consideration for initial classification is to obtain a risk score through use of The Alabama Youth Services Risk Assessment Instrument. The Risk Assessment guides the decision-making process by taking into account the severity, recencey and chronicity of a student's delinquent behavior. These characteristics are believed to be a good prediction of future tendencies to re-offend. A point value is assigned on the document for instant offenses, prior adjudications and events such as multiple felonies, age at first delinquency, prior out-of-home placement and involvement in gang or a substance abuse activity as part of the instant offense. A cumulative score is derived from the contributory elements (see sample risk assessment). The Risk Score has a direct impact on the type of housing required for the student, hence, an impact on student classification. The parameters for the type of housing required are as follows

Risk Score

1-7 (Low)

5-10 (Medium)

10 and Above (High)

Housing

Consider the student for low to medium secure bed to include group homes

Consider student for a community based group home, HIT, institutional bed

Consider the student for an institutional bed or medium secure bed. Exceptions should be noted in the "justification" paragraph of the screening and placement report

Appendix 2

Evaluation/Testing

A secondary consideration in the classification process would be to assess subjective testing and/or reports in the case file which denote high or low risk factors concerning the child's emotional/ mental health, potential for aggression, response to previous treatment efforts and family stability.

Testing will be provided by DYS when existing evaluations need to be updated or are non-existent. The testing will take the form of a mental status exam, drug and alcohol involvement scale; brief social history; diagnosis and recommendation. Testing can be used for classification, placement and service plan development.

Staffing Decisions

The classification committee relies on the commitment order, in addition to the above-mentioned tools, when formulating a placement plan. Case specific recommendations need to be reviewed during the staffing process. Information from staffing is documented in the "staffing report" which is provided to school administrators and a copy of the Recommendations and Staffing Report is kept in the student's file. Use of the DYS Screening criteria will further facilitate the Placement process (see attached).

The Classification Committee

The classification committee is made up of three members: the Administrator of Screening & Placement, Community Services Case Manager and The School System's Special Education Coordinator. Decisions are made based upon court referral information, the DYS Risk Assessment, evaluations and screening criteria.

The Administrative Review Committee

The Administrative Review Committee consists of: the Administrators of Institutional Services, Community Services, and Screening and Placement, the facility Treatment Coordinator and the facility Superintendent or their respective designee.

Appendix 2

CRITERIA FOR SPECIFIC CLASSIFICATIONS

Students committed to DYS may fall into one or more of the following classification categories:

A. Serious Juvenile Offender (SJO) B. Regular Commitment (Reg) C. Sex Offender (SOTARP) D. Community/Residential (CIR) E. Pure Hit (HIT) F. Special Needs (Spec.) G. Any combination of two or more

Serious Juvenile Offender

Students assigned to this classification have been adjudicated based upon the 1990 Alabama Juvenile Justice Act and have been specifically cited as Serious Juvenile Offenders in their court orders. These students have committed a Class "A" or "B" Felony (including Burglary of a residence) and have a previous adjudication for two previous acts which would constitute a Class "A" or "B" felony or Burglary of a residence (refer to Section 13 of the 1990 Juvenile Justice Act). These students will remain at the Department of Youth Services for a minimum of one year. A decision to release a child who is designated SJO must be preceded by 30 days advanced written notice to the judge of the committing court. Students in this classification will remain in a separate, secure facility for a minimum of one year. A Release/ Review Committee will review the quarterly progress of each Serious Juvenile Offender and make appropriate recommendations at the end of the year.

Regular Commitment

These students are typically placed in institutional (DYS) or medium secure (private provider) beds. Their length of stay will usually last from 4-6 months. They can be considered for a step-down to a less secure environment by way of a referral to the Administrative Review Committee. Contact with community resources is accomplished within the confines of the facility. Risk Assessments can range from low to high. Students in this classification generally have moderate to lengthy delinquency histories, difficulty interacting with peers and/or authority and

Appendix 2

present escape assault and/or self-injury risk. These individuals may have a deeply ingrained pattern of delinquency and may be involved in violent gang activity or pose a potential threat to society based upon their history.

Sex Offender

These students have been adjudicated as sex offenders through the committing courts. The sex offender notification act will require the students to receive a hearing to determine low, medium or high risk to re-offend, prior to their release. Students for whom the sex offender notification act does not apply will not be required a special hearing upon release, but will be designated a sex offender during their confinement and receive appropriate treatment.

Community/Residential

These students typically have low to medium risk scores and may be considered for direct placement into community-based programs such as group homes, wilderness camps, and short-term HIT and substance abuse programs.

Pure HIT

These students are placed directly into the HIT program by committing courts. They are considered to be on probation and under suspended commitments to DYS. Failure to complete the HIT program will result in a return to the court for further disposition.

Special Needs

DYS will provide through practice, policy and procedure a classification for the special needs child. Identifying a child special needs will be determined though social history, evaluation and dormitory observation. Documentation of special needs will be designated on the Screening and Placement report or as part of the Service Plan.

Examples of special needs would include "multiple needs" children, students with mental or physical disabilities, those taking psychotropic medication and those in need of monitoring for suicidal or self-injurious behavior.

TREATMENT TEAM REVIEW

Appendix 2

Upon arrival at the facility, the student will be assigned to a case manager and treatment team. Monthly status reviews of the student's individualized service plan will be documented in the master file and database. Weekly reviews of the student's security/suicide risk will likewise be documented. Changes in the student's living environment (level system, dorm assignment or other hierarchy) will be made with the approval of the treatment team. In emergencies, authorized personnel can make temporary changes.

Due Process - Re-staffing

Students moving from a less secure to a more secure facility are entitled to a due process hearing within a week of their transfer. The Administrative Review Committee performs this function. The students are allowed to testify on their own behalf and parents are welcome to attend.

Students believed to be inappropriately placed (classified) may be referred to the Administrative Review Committee. Documentation and /or testimony will be reviewed at the hearing. Such a request can originate from the student or the facility. Appealing to this committee can result in placement in a more restrictive or less restrictive environment.

Re-Staff/Override

Students who require a review of their placement (Re-staffing) due to behavior problems, medical issues, suicidal ideation or escapes may be subject to an override of the risk score parameters set forth in the initial classification of the youth.

Typically, a student with a risk score of seven (7) or below is to be considered for a community based or medium-secure facility. However, if attempts have failed to produce desired outcomes in the less-restrictive environments the committee may elect to use an "Override" which gives the Administrative Review Committee the authority to place the child in a more restrictive setting such as our maximum-security campuses at Mt. Meigs or Vacca. A copy of the "Override" should be signed by the committee members and placed in the student's file. Use of the "Override" is at the discretion of the Committee.

Appendix 2

Subsequent Commitments to DYS

The Screening and Placement Committee may consider students who have received a re-staff/override during one commitment to DYS for similar sanctions in subsequent commitments to DYS. Documentation of this action should be made on the Screening and Placement Staffing Report under "Special Condi tions/Recommenda ti ons".

SREENING CRITERIA

Effective guidelines for placing students in various DYS programs should utilize risk and need factors. The decision to place a child in a less restrictive or more restrictive environment is linked to a combination of factors and assessments.

The Screening and Placement Committee will review documents provided by the court and other sources to assess the risk score, needs assessment, psychosocial history, school records, and previous interventions in order to determine the most appropriate initial placement for the youth.

A general guide for this purpose will follow. This outline will attempt to highlight those commonly occurring factors, which need to be considered for placement in HIT. Community/Residential, Regular Commitments, and SJO'S. These criteria will be presented in two parts: the first being the Risk, or the security risk to the community; and the second being the Needs, or environmental and treatment factors to be considered in the placement decision.

SERIOUS JUVENILE OFFENDERS

Students in this category must meet the criteria of SJ O's as defined in the 1990 State Law and they must be housed at the Mt. Meigs, Vacca, or Secure Girl's campuses.

Appendix 2

Needs

REGULAR COMMITMENTS

Sequel TSI Tuskegee

A. Child requires a secure facility (i.e., has a history of escapes or violent behavior), which precludes placement in a community-based facility and has not been committed as an SJO.

B. Child has a recent delinquent history, which may include multiple offenses, which may pose an imminent risk to public safety.

C. Child has demonstrated an inability to function in a community-based facility or school setting due to behavior problems.

D. Child has engaged in recent serious delinquency behavior, but does not have an extensive history.

A. Individual and group services will be provided in a structured environment. These services could include, but are not limited to, drug abuse prevention services, anger management, and interpersonal relations training.

B. Educational needs will be provided in a structured environment.

II. DYS Institution (Vacca and Mt. Meigs)

A. Medium to high risk score (no lower than 8 with the exception of an approved override).

B. High risk for escape (a history of escaping from custody).

C. Child has already been to the HIT Program and/or

Appendix 2

Needs

DYS group home and is recommitted for a serious charge.

D. History of multiple placements at DYS or non-DYS facilities.

E. High risk for adjustment problems, (i.e.; fighting, Authority problems); has been ejected from less secure facilities.

F. History of aggressive or suicidal behavior (where the Risk assessment is 8 and above).

A. Special needs requirement (Substance Abuse and Sex Offender Services)

B. Prior residential intervention methods have not been successful.

C. Requires a secure facility for drug and alcohol intervention based on a history of unsuccessful attempts in less secure facilities or an addiction that is documented as being out of control.

D. Identification with gang affiliation including involvement in aggressive gang activity.

E. Age, maturity and intellectual functioning will determine whether the child needs to be placed at Mt. Meigs (>16+) Or Vacca (<16)

III. Girl's Secure Facilities

A. Child has demonstrated an inability to function in a community-based program.

B. Risk score may range from low to high (including SJO's and non-SJO's).

C. Child has a history of aggressive and/or suicidal

Appendix 2

Needs

Needs

behavior.

D. Child may have a low risk assessment but demonstrates a propensity to run away from facilities.

E. Child has a lengthy delinquency history.

A. Individual and group services will be provided in a structured environment. These services could include, but are not limited to, drug and alcohol intervention, anger management, and interpersonal relations training.

B. Educational/training needs will be provided in a structured environment.

IV. HIT for Regular Commitment

A. Low number of police/court contacts. Low Risk score

B. Child has a minimal number of minor charges

C. Lack of prior intervention (first referral to a DYS facility)

D. A previous placement was made to DYS a year or more ago and/or the child is recommitted for minor

VOP. If the child successfully completed the HIT program under a previous commitment he/she will be excluded from consideration for a second placement in HIT within 18 months.

A. Has the physical capability to complete the program.

B. Can return home with minimal intervention in a short period of time (favorable home environment).

C. Based upon available screening tools, the need for

Appendix 2

Drug and alcohol intervention can be addressed at the HIT Program and will be included on the child's service plan.

D. Mental health or medical problems will not preclude successful completion of the program. Certain individuals will be excluded from participation, including those on certain medications which limit coordination and those with physical preconditions which limit participation.

E. Placement in HIT program was court recommended.

F. A committed youth placed in the HIT program will be re-staffed (Monday Afternoon) if his behavior is found to be unacceptable in the HIT program. A HIT representative, with a copy of the service, plan will accompany the child to assist in the placement decision.

COMMUNITY/RESIDENTIAL (Group Home/Community Placement/A&D Programs)

A. Low to medium risk assessment scores. A score of 10 and above will be closely scrutinized and an override will be provided in the screening and placement report as rationale.

B. A previous placement was made to DYS and the child

Has been recommitted for minor offenses.

C. Runaway history has been minimal and/or has not involved the commission of delinquent offenses while on runaway status.

D. History of assaultive behavior or suicidal ideation will be scrutinized through consultation with the caseworker and a review of the file.

E. A child committed for a violent, class A felony will be required to spend the initial stage of placement

Appendix 2

Needs

Needs

in a Secure Facility. Community-based placement can be used as a step-down with the approval of the Administrative Review Committee.

A. Requires a semi-structured environment with the qualities of a small group setting.

B. Child needs to bond with other youth his/her age in a supportive atmosphere.

C. Child needs to develop skills in independent living due to inadequate supervision in the home environment.

D. Child possesses internal controls consistent with appropriate community living, i.e., can cope with the structure of a public school or a job placement with minimal supervision.

E. Drug and alcohol intervention can be accomplished in a non-residential setting, but child requires some supervision to ensure compliance.

F. Placement at a facility is based upon the child's strengths, needs, and compatibility with program services.

SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM

A. History of sexual acting-out in the community or in a previous placement. Sex Offender Act may or may not apply.

B. A child who is evaluated as having displayed sexually acting out behavior can be referred to the Sex Offender program but is not classified a sex offender with regards to notification.

A. The child needs the services of the Sex Offender

Appendix 2

Program.

B. The child has special needs (limited intellectual functioning, mental health problems, suicidal behavior, etc.), which requires a structured and supervised environment.

C. Child needs a school setting with low students to teacher ratio.

SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS Intensive Treatment Unit

Students who require a great degree of structure and individualized programs may be referred to the Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU). Referrals are made to the ITU Committee on a "Restaffing Form"and submitted one week prior to the anticipated referral date. The referring staff member shall appear before the ITU Committee and present the case. After approval from the committee, the student can be transferred. Types of students who will be considered for transfer to ITU include:

A. Aggressive students who pose a danger to himself or others.

B. Select "Class A" Felonies

C. Multiple rule violator

D. Students who are unable to prosper in a less secure program due to severe behavior problems.

E. Escapees

Students referred to ITU are afforded due process safeguards. Each student is present at the committee meeting and has the right to present his case to the committee.

Appendix 2

Laurel Oaks

Students, who require a structured and secure environment and have intellectual disabilities which will prevent the child from benefiting from the traditional institution, may be referred to The Laurel Oaks Youth Services program.

Multiple-Needs Students

Referrals to DYS can be adjudicated multiple- needs children by juvenile courts having jurisdiction. A coordinated response is required from DYS and other involved agencies regarding the placement and treatment efforts during the course of the child's stay. If needed, the case should be forwarded to the appropriate county multiple needs facilitation team for services. The committing court should be appraised of any placement changes that are encountered along the path of treatment.

If services are not available within the resources of the State of Alabama, an attempt should be made to locate services outside the State's geographic boundaries. The shared funding aspect of multiple needs legislation allows for a pooling of resources in such cases which, although generally rare, might prove to be financially burdensome for one agency to handle alone.

The Community Services division of DYS should be contacted for assistance.

Appendix 3

Name Address/Telephone Number

Of Evaluation Facility

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION

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TECHNIQUES UTILIZED: •;; -~:· ~·: •-'.·:

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MEDICAL HISTORY:

FAMILY HISTORY:

ALCOHOL AND DRUG.-.HISTORY: •: I

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CLINICAL INTERVIEW AND MENTAL STATUS:

TEST RESULTS:

SUMMARY:

DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSION:

Appendix 3

Name Address/Telephone Number

Of Evaluation Facility

NAME:

DYS CLINICAL INTERVIEW

DOE: DOB: AGE: SSN: Race/Gender:

LEGAL HISTORY:

Family: Social: Educational: . '

PSYCHIATRIC HISTORY:

SUBSTANCE ABUSE-:HISTORY:

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MEDICAL HISTORY: ;,, •,· :•.··

,• ...

MENTAL STATUS:

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DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSION:

RECOMMEND A TIO NS:

Facility: Probation Officer: County:

:;, Evaluator:

, .