Proposals Due: December 4, 2017

The federal Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention ActTitle IIFormula Grants Program is administered by the Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice (WA-PCJJ) through its staff within the Office of Juvenile Justice, Department of Social and Health Services.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section A: Contract Requirements Page 3

Section B: Explanation of Solicitation Process Page 8

Section C: Instructions Regarding Content, Format, and Submission of Written Responses Page 10

Section D: Evaluation of Responses Page 12

Attachments:

Attachment A: Proposal Checklist Page 14

Attachment B: Budget Narrative Page 15

Attachment C: Racial and Ethnicity Impact Statement Page 16

Attachment D: Additional Budget Information Page 17

Attachment E: Logic Model Template Page 19

SECTION A: CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

1.Introduction

The Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice (WA-PCJJ) is requesting proposals from public, private non-profit and Tribal entities for the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act Title IIFormula Grants Program funding.

  1. Purpose

The WA-PCJJ has selected Re-Entry and Transition from local detention facilities and state facilities, as one of its priority areas for funding.TheWA-PCJJ is seeking to fund programs that support youth and their families with the process of re-entry and transition back into their home communities from either local detention facilities or state institutions with a special emphasis on one or more of the following areas:

  • Youth and Family Engagement,
  • Education Engagement and/or Employment, and
  • Behavioral Health Needs.

In addition to the priority of Re-Entry and Transition, the WA-PCJJ has identified the reduction of Racial and Ethnic Disparities as its number one priority overall. In Washington, minority youth (e.g., African-American, Native American/Alaskan Native, Latino/Hispanic and recent immigrant populations) come into contact with the juvenile justice system at a higher rate in comparison to white youth and are detained and committed to state custody at a higher rate as well.

In an attempt to address both re-entry and improve outcomes for youth of color, the WA-PCJJ is accepting applications to address re-entry and transition for all youth with a special emphasis on ensuring the program or approach is successful for youth of color. This would encompass programs and strategies designed to do at least one of the following:targetyouth and family engagement in the re-entry planning and transition process, provide resources to address education engagement and/or employment, and provide services to treat identified behavioral health needs.


  1. Background

Many local juvenile courts continue to face budget reductions in light of state and federal budget reductions; simultaneously, the need to provide services that are evidence based or best practice continue to be a high need for youth in the juvenile justice system. There is a lack of resources to support youth in transitioning from secure local facilities or Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) confinement to pro-social and community-based services as well. Juvenile Rehabilitation provides 50 percent of youth released from their facilities with parole services; therefore, 50 percent released from state custody do not have re-entry or transition services upon returning to their communities due to limited funding. The lack of services and support upon re-entry for these youth puts them at higher risk to re-offend and return to the system. Data on the youth released without parole services show that 52 percent have identified mental health needs.[1]

National data identifies educational attainment as a challenge specifically for youth in secure facilities. A disproportionate number of youth in detention facilities are identified as having special education needs and emotional and behavioral health needs as well.[2] Youth held in secure facilities, though education services may be provided within the facilities, miss a significant number of days of instruction in their home school which makes it difficult to return and be successful. There are also challenges with home schools and new schools accepting youth back once they have been involved in the juvenile justice system as they can be identified by school administrators as difficult to manage. [3]

Research indicates that employment status is a protective factor against criminal involvement. Youth already involved in the juvenile justice system face challenges in obtaining employment due to their history and/or current involvement with the system. Youth not employed are typically not preparing for employment while waiting for or looking for employment.[4] It is in these areas that coordinated efforts can provide support to youth in transition. Youth of color are overrepresented in secure detention admissions and in residential placement; therefore, they are overrepresented in all subsequent areas of need regarding re-entry.

The Youth Re-Entry Task Force of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Coalition identified the following components of effective re-entry and transition programs: located in the community wherereturning youth live;individualized to assist withdevelopmental deficits; concentrate heavily on ensuring school reenrollment, attendance, and success; focus on permanent family/guardianship connections; include access to mental health andsubstance abuse treatment; recognize the diverse needs ofreturning youth; include a structured workforcepreparation and employment component; and include housing support and assistancefor youth who cannot live with relativesand are transitioning to adulthood.[5]

Based on this data and research, it is the intent of this RFP to improve re-entry and transition of all youth, with a special emphasis on youth of color, back to their home communities through a focus on one of the following areas: Youth and Family Engagement, Education Engagement and/or Employment, and/or Behavioral Health Services ultimately resulting in a reduction of risk to re-offend post release.

  1. Evidence-Based and Research-Based Practices

Now more than ever before, research is helping to establish approaches and programs that effectively change delinquent behavior, lower recidivism and help young people succeed. Rigorously studied evidence-based programs like Multisystemic Therapy and Family Functional Therapy have been found to produce consistently better results than traditional juvenile justice interventions. Research supports other programs and services that show promise in improving behavioral and emotional functioning. But many juvenile justice systems struggle to put these proven and scientifically supported approaches into practice.[6]

In 2012, Governor Gregoire signed into law House Bill 2536 which required the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), in consultation with theWashington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP)and theUniversity of Washington Evidence-Based Practice Institute (EBPI) topublish descriptive definitions and prepare an inventory of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), research-based practices, and promising practices for the prevention and intervention services of children and juveniles in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health. It requires that DSHS increase the use of evidence-based and research-based practices. The bill furthers the States’ efforts in providing evidence-based and research-based services to youth and families.

The federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice support the use of evidence-based programs. Programs and practices are considered to be evidence-based when their effectiveness has been demonstrated by casual evidence, generally obtained through outcome evaluations. Causal evidence documents a relationship between an activity or intervention (including technology) and its intended outcome, including measuring the direction and size of a change, and the extent to which a change may be attributed to the activity or intervention. Causal evidence depends on the use of scientific methods to rule out, to the extent possible, alternative explanations for the documented change. The strength of causal evidence, based on the factors described above, will influence the degree to which WA-PCJJ considers a program or practice to be evidence-based.

  1. LINKS:

OJJDP Model Programs Guide

A site designed to assist practitioners’ and communities in implementing evidence-based prevention and intervention programs that can make a difference in the lives of children and communities.

Evidence-Based Resources for OJJDP Program Applicants

An OJJDP document listing resource to help select evidence-based practices.

OJJDP DMC – Reduction Best Practices Database

Designed to assist jurisdiction in the development of initiatives to reduce DMC. Central feature of this Web site is a searchable database.

UW Evidence Based Practice Institute

The Evidence Based Practice Institute (EBPI) serves as a resource for state entities in identification, evaluation, and partnering with various communities (e.g. families, providers) on evidence based practices and offers provider training and consultation on the implementation of EBPs in communities, as well as the promotion of evidence based or promising practices.

6.Contract Period

Projects will be funded fromJanuary 1, 2018toDecember 15, 2018. Office of Juvenile Justice staff will monitor the approved projects.

7.Amount of Grant Award*

A total of approximately $200,000 is available to fund up to three projects to support re-entry and transition programs/projects that reduce the risk of recidivism for participating youth.* Applicants may submit a proposal for up to $200,000.

*NOTE: Continuation funding may be available for two additional yearsbased on successful implementation and outcomes from the first year grant award and dependent on availability of federal funds.

  1. Match Requirement

There is a 10% cash or in-kind match requirement for all applicants.

For applicants choosing to provide a cash matchthe match can be calculated by multiplying the total amount of grant funds requested by 10 percent (.10). For example, the cash match requirement for a grant amount of $100,000 is $10,000.

  1. Evaluation

An independent evaluation of the program is required. Proposal must include a minimum of 10% of the total requested amount to contract with an evaluator (i.e. a proposal requesting $200,000 would require a minimum $20,000 for an independent evaluation.

  1. Who Can Apply

Public, private non-profit and Tribal entities are eligible to apply.

  1. How to Apply

Applicant must submit all documents listed in SECTION C: INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING CONTENT, FORMAT, AND SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN RESPONSES.

All applications must be received by the Office of Juvenile Justice no later than 5pm on December 4, 2017. Applications may be hand delivered, electronically (PDF Format Only) submitted or mailed US Postal. Please note: If utilizing US Postage, the application packet still must be received by the Office of Juvenile Justice no later than 5pm on December 4, 2017.

  1. Proof of Insurance

Any organization that is awarded funding from the WA-PCJJ must provide a certificate of insurance naming DSHS as also insured.

All selected projects receiving an OJJDP Title IIgrant, must provide a certificate of insurance prior to receiving a contract.

If a county or municipality is self-insured or a member of an authorized risk-pool, the Contractor shall only be required to acquire and maintain additional insurance coverage as necessary to supplement the Contractor’s self-insurance or risk-pool amount to meet the minimum limits required by DSHS, State of Washington.

  1. Criminal History and Background Checks

Selected applicants and each of their employees, subcontractors and/or volunteers, who may have unsupervised access to clients, shall have a cleared and approved current criminal history and background checkin line with the applicant agency’s policy.

Selected applicants are required to submit their personnel policy regarding criminal histories and background checks to the Office of Juvenile Justice.

Do not include this information with the proposal. This requirement must be met for all projects selected for funding by the WA-PCJJ.

SECTION B: EXPLANATION OF SOLICITATION PROCESS

1.Solicitation Schedule

October 30, 2017 / WA-PCJJ/OJJ issues RFP
November 6, 2017 / Q & A Call in at 10:30 am
December 4, 2017 / Proposals due to the OJJ by 5 P.M. Pacific Time
December 6, 2017 / Technical Review of proposals completed
December 14, 2017 / Proposal evaluation by review committee completed, finalists selected
December 21, 2017 / Finalist oral presentations to review committee
December 22, 2017 / WA-PCJJ announces award(s)
January 1, 2018 / Grant period begins

2.Technical Questions?

If you have questions, or if you need technical assistance on the grant proposal process, please call the Office of Juvenile Justice, 360-902-7526. The WA-PCJJstaff are available to assist you.

  1. Q & A Call-in

A question and answer call-in session will be held for all prospective applicants. All questions and answers from the call-in, as well as any additional questions received by the Office of Juvenile Justice, and the answers, will be posted on the website . All applicants are encouraged to regularly check the website for any updates following the Q & A postings.

  1. Auxiliary Aids and Services

OJJ will provide access to this solicitation document to individuals with disabilities. Please contact the OJJ staff to request auxiliary aids and services.

If an individual believes that the OJJ has discriminated on the basis of a disability, please contact the DSHS Investigations Unit for the Nondiscrimination Policy Brochure and complaint process. The brochure can be found at

  1. Announcements of Successful Submissions

OJJ will announce grant awards on the OJJ website on the date indicated in Section B.1., Solicitation Schedule. All announcements of selected applications are subject to the negotiation of a contract satisfactory to OJJ.

  1. Ethics, Policies and Law

This Solicitation, the evaluation of Responses, and any resulting contract will be made in conformance with applicable Washington State laws and Policies.

Specific restrictions apply to contracting with current or former state employees pursuant to RCW 42.52. Bidders should familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to submitting a Response. Bidders must include, in their Letter of Submittal, information regarding any current or former state employees who are employed by, or subcontracted with, Bidder.

SECTION C: INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING CONTENT, FORMAT, AND SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN RESPONSES

  1. Required Elements for all Proposals

The following items must be included in the Application:

  1. Identification of how the program specifically responds to the unique needs of youth re-entering their communities from local detention facilities or state institutions
  2. Serve a target youth population age 12-17
  3. Inclusion of local data regarding the impact the program or project will have on the reduction of disproportionate minority contact
  4. Identifies specific strategies resulting in the reduction of the risk to re-offend for participating youth
  5. Outline culturally responsive strategies and services to address youth and family engagement, education engagement and/or employment, and/or behavioral health concerns
  6. Identify a program design that is culturally responsive.
  7. Consideration of rural and underserved areas.
  8. Outline strategies to partner with local courts/detention facilities and/or JR Institutions to address re-entry needs of participating youth
  9. Applicants must address how services or other components will be sustained beyond the term of the WA-PCJJ grant.
  10. Proposals that include the provision of services not funded by the grant must show how services are being funded.
  11. Include letters of support from all partners required to successfully implement the proposed program (e.g., law enforcement, juvenile court, mental/behavioral health agencies, school, prosecutor, county/state/Tribal partners)
  12. Demonstrate understanding of, and alignment with, state and county-level youth behavioral health and juvenile justice laws, initiatives and system change efforts.
  13. Must not displace children already receiving services.

2.Submission of Proposals

The proposal must address the Required Elements listed above in the required Proposal Format identified in the Federal Application in Section 11.

  • Proposals must be submitted using Federal Application (there is more than one federal application) form 05-180 available on line: ()
  • Must include Attachment A—Completed Checklist
  • Must include Attachment B—Budget Narrative (one page limit)
  • Must include Attachment C—Race and Ethnicity Impact Statement
  • Must include Attachment E—Logic Model completed in format outlined in the Federal Application, Sec. 11

3.Directions for Submitting a Proposal

Submit the proposal to:

Mailing Address:Street Address:Electronic Submission:

Office of Juvenile JusticeOffice of Juvenile JusticePDF Format Only

Department of Social and Health Services1115

PO Box 4582814th/Jefferson OB 2, 3rdFloor

Olympia, WA 98504-5828Olympia, WA 98504-5828

4.Proposal Deadline

All applications must be received by the Office of Juvenile Justice no later than 5pm on December 4, 2017. Applications may be hand delivered,electronically (PDF Format Only) submitted or mailed US Postal. Please note: If utilizing US Postage, the application packet still must be received by the Office of Juvenile Justice no later than 5pm on December 4, 2017

SECTION D: EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

1.Technical Review of Proposals

All proposals will be reviewed by the OJJ staff to determine compliance with administrative and minimum qualification requirements and instructions specified in this solicitation. Proposals thatare rejected based on technical reasons will be notified in writing. OJJ may reject a proposal as incomplete for any of the following reasons:

  • Incomplete proposal
  • Not submitted on the Federal Grant Application form with additional required attachments: A, B, C, and E to address the Logic Model outlined in the application
  • Does not follow the Proposal Format (Federal Grant Application, Section 11)
  • Submission after the deadline

2.Errors and Omissions in Proposals

In order to ensure equal opportunity for funding, OJJ reserves the right to contact applicants after submission of a proposal to identify if any required portions of the application are missing or if additional clarification of document contents is needed.

The OJJ Director will provide the final technical review of all proposals and determine the appropriateness of any follow-up or technical assistance in order to ensure all applicants are treated fairly and equitably. Applicants must respond to OJJ’s requests within three days with the missing items/documents in order for the application to be considered.