QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING SERVICES
FOR YOUTH-ONE AWARD OF 10 BEDS
Questions? Email us anytime at
Phone number and contact person for date of delivery:
Main Number: 609-888-7300
Contacts: Karen Schemmer
Loren LaBadie
Deliver proposal to:
50 East State Street, 3rd Floor, Trenton, NJ 08625
Address Change
Grants Management, Auditing and Records has moved to a new location. All proposals must be delivered or mailed to our new address.
Department of Children and Families Main Number: (609) 888-7730
Capital Center Fax Number: (609) 292-3931
50 East State Street, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 717
Trenton, NJ 08625
Location of Site is a “Protected Category”
If you have a site or a location in mind, you may enhance your proposal by including up to a 3 pages (or statement) on the location of your facility in the Appendix section. This site is labeled/considered “Protected Category”.
Respondents must have the demonstrated ability, experience, and commitment to enroll in NJ Medicaid, and subsequently submit the claims for reimbursement through NJ Medicaid and its established fiscal agent, Molina, within prescribed timelines.
1. Are out-of-state Providers considered eligible to bid for these services?
Yes
2. Will beds/services that are available in a contiguous state for these youth be considered or must the beds/services be available/ offered within the state of NJ?
No, the beds/services must be available within the State of NJ. The agency will also need to be registered to conduct business in NJ.
3. If the victim has a child or is pregnant - will s/he be able to keep the child?
Yes, but it does not count as one of the 10 beds--it would be an additional bed above and beyond the 10 and additional licensing requirements would need to be met.
If an agency is providing beds for infant/child, barring any child protection issues, efforts would be made to determine if it is appropriate for the infant/child to remain with the mother. Please refer to NJAC 10:128 Subchapter 10 for compliance. An agency does not have to offer infant beds.
4. If so, does that count as one of the 10allotted beds for this project?
It would be an additional bed above and beyond the 10 and additional licensing requirements would need to be me as detailed in Subchapter 10. Based on proposed capacity, compliance would need to be met through NJAC 10:128 or NJAC 10:127.
5. If not, willDCP&P support visitations so that reunification can occur as appropriate?
Yes, in most cases. If there is a child protection issue, then DCP&P would be involved to assure that the plan in place for re-unification, where appropriate, would be monitored and progress is made.
6. Is there a minimum or maximum length of stay?
No
7. What happens if the shelter is full and another youth needs the service? WillDCF make arrangements or is it the provider's responsibility to find suitable housing until there is room at theprogram?
This is not a shelter. It shall be DCF’s responsibility to make arrangements if all the beds are full.
8. RFP indicates thatDCF will provide secure transport to the service facility, yet it also says that the provider is responsible for providing requisite transportation 24/7 (top of page 8). This is confusing. Please clarify if the requisite transport addresses all transportation once the youth enters the program or does it include transport to the program.
Please note the following clarification. For admission, transportation could be a coordinated effort. Once the youth is admitted into the program, it will be the provider’s responsibility to provide for all transportation needs.
9. Can the program accept out of state referrals or will referrals only come fromDCF or Police?
Referrals will typically come from NJ-DCF.
10. Are we able to purchase a vehicle to transport residents?
Yes
11. Where will referrals come from? Page 7 of the RFP states that youth requiring services will be transported to the treatment site from Hospitals and/or Law Enforcement. Are these the only two referral sources?
DCF will manage the referrals. Please also note that not all referrals will have involvement with Division of Child Protection and Permanency.
12. Will treatment providers be expected to conduct outreach for potential referrals? If so, how far among the 21 counties?
No
13. Is there an expectation regarding where the treatment facility will be located? Are there areas of saturation?
Yes. The location of the facility is critical. The site preferred should be kept confidential and away from the human trafficking community and public transportation.
14. Does the $37,000 annual subsidy per bed cover all physical plant operational expenses?
Yes
15. What constitutes a unit of service, reimbursable at the given per diem rate?
A unit of service is a day.
16. Are there any restrictions to the allocation of funds? For instance:
a. Property Acquisition to site client beds;
b. Construction/Remodeling for property where beds will be
located, and
c.Maintenance and Operation of physical plant where beds are
located.
No
17. Does DCF have a policy on elopement? Do we need to hold beds for 5 days?
We are looking at this population differently and want you to meet the needs of each youth. Explain in the Narrative section how you will address elopement. Be creative and think outside the box on how you will reduce the risk of youth running away. Beds may need to be held for youth that run.
18. There are a number of DCF Regional Schools available for the youth to attend. How is a decision made for attendance?
Once an award is made, it is the expectation that the Child Family Team will assist with the decision on the specific DCF Regional School the youth will attend. It will depend on the location of the treatment facility. The youth may also be eligible for DCF in-home education based on the recommendation by the Child Family Team.
19. On page 10 of the RFP under Education: Does the content of education programs have to be confirmed in the proposal?
You do not need to confirm the content/curriculum at the time of your submission. This will be determined after the agency has been awarded.
20. Should Special Education be included?
Yes.
21. Is transportation secure?
DCF is working with Law Enforcement to assure that transportation is secure to the extent possible.
22. Will the Office of Licensing assist DCF to expedite licensing approval?
Yes. DCF/CSOC is working closely with DCF/OOL to assist with this process.
23. Is DCF in the process of identifying youth ahead of time?
Yes, this is already in process. Youth who are already in a treatment program and have been identified as a victim of human trafficking will also be considered.
24. What type of licensing should be in place?
A Group Home license (refer to NJAC 10:128) will be required once an award is made. The organization needs to be ready to meet licensing standards in preparation for an award. Once an agency is awarded, it anticipated that the requirements will be more intensive. DCF will work quickly with the awardee during the award process.
25. Does one facility also mean one provider?
Yes.
26. Does DCF envision one 10 bed facility? Can you have two 5 bed sites?
DCF does envision one 10 bed facility but two 5 bed sites will be considered.
27. The target population is ages 11-17. Will you consider youth over age 17?
No, youth over age 17 will not be considered at this time.
28. On page 16 under Staffing Structure: An Advanced Practice Nurse is required. Can an RN be substituted for an APN?
No, an APN is required.
29. Will the funding from this grant follow the youth once they are discharged from the service?
Funding under this RFP is for the provision of services through this program. Services provided upon post discharge will be accessed through the necessary funding streams in which the youth continues treatment.
30. Due to the age requirements, if a youth turns age 18 while in the program, will they need to be discharged to another service?
Appropriate transition planning will need to occur. It is not DCF’s intention to discharge on 18th birthday without proper transition planning.
31. Can you mix genders at the same site?
The sleeping quarters need to be appropriately separated.
32. Does DCF imagine that some youth will not be reunified?
This will depend on the youth and family’s individualized planning process. Independent skills building for youth will also need to be provided.
33. If the youth is already known to DCF, are they already in managed care?
No. Youth can have any number of insurance programs.
34. On Page 17 Allied Therapy: How long are these services to be provided?
These services are to be provided weekly over the course of treatment.
35. If the youth is already known to DCF, are they already in managed care? Will there be Medicaid in place?
The CMO will coordinate insurance gaps and assure coverage is in place for reimbursement of services through NJ Medicaid. Youth can have any number of medical insurance.
36. Is the 24/7 hour timeline a requirement?
It is DCF’s expectation that you follow the 24/7 model. Be sure that the youth is medically stable. Staff needs to be engaged and make an assessment before moving to the next step. Staff needs to provide a safe environment, be nurturing and work towards the completion of treatment. The initial step is crucial.
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