OCA-DPCS-025 Manhattan Diversion Court Courts Case Management and Recovery Support Services.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The mission of the New York State Unified Court System (UCS) is to deliver equal justice under the law and to achieve the just, fair and timely resolution of all matters that come before our courts.  In the service of our mission, the UCS is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, and to ensuring that all who enter or serve in our courts are treated with respect, dignity, and professionalism. We affirm our responsibility to promote a court system free from any and all forms of bias and discrimination and to promote a judiciary and workforce that reflect the rich diversity of New York State.  More information about the UCS is available at https://www.nycourts.gov.

UCS operates problem-solving courts, among them drug courts, which help judges and court staff respond to the needs of litigants and the community. Problem-solving courts look to the underlying issues that bring people into the court system, employ innovative approaches to address those issues, and seek to simplify the court process for litigants. A drug court involves an intervention by the court in cooperation with a team of specialists in social services, treatment, and criminal justice professionals in the local community. In return for a promise of a reduced sentence, appropriate non-violent addicted offenders are given the option of entering voluntarily into court-supervised treatment. The rules and conditions of participation are clearly stated in a contract entered into by the defendant, the defense attorney, the district attorney, and the court.

 PROJECT INFORMATION

UCS is the recipient of a grant (the “Grant Award”) awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) for the purpose of funding the Manhattan Diversion County Court.  Pursuant to the terms of the Grant Award, $1,754,120 is the maximum available funding for Project Services (as set forth in Article V below) performed during September 30, 2024 – September 29, 2029, provided, however, that such period may be extended upon mutual agreement of Grantor and UCS (the “Project Term”). UCS reserves the right to request a no-cost extension of the Project Term from the Grantor.

UCS anticipates that the selected applicant will be designated a “subrecipient” rather than a “contractor” for purposes of federal requirements of the Grant Award.

AWARD

UCS intends to award one contract for a term commencing on or about September 30, 2024, and terminating on or about September 29, 2029 (“Contract Term”).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Contract Term of any contract resulting from this RFP may extend to a term not to exceed five (5) years in total, which contract shall terminate upon the earlier of: (i) five (5) years from the contract commencement date; or (ii) the complete expenditure of funding available for Project Services, whichever is earlier, unless otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms of said contract.  Awarded contractor shall be contractually obligated to provide the Project Services for the Project Term, as it may be amended or extended. UCS and awarded contractor shall communicate regularly concerning the remaining amount of grant funds and the approximate timing of complete expenditure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Proposals will be considered only from applicants who meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Qualified applicants are agencies that possess at least two (2) years of experience in performing services similar or relevant to those described herein.
• Qualified applicants must have the capacity to provide Project Services (as set forth in Article V, below), including the Required Staffing to support the proposed Project Services.

PROJECT SERVICES

UCS seeks proposals describing how the applicant will provide the services listed below (“Project Services”).  The selected applicant shall be required to:  

1. Assessment: Utilizing a validated risk and needs assessment tool, screen to identify risks and needs for all accepted participants. Determining the nature and extent of substance use disorders and co-occurring factors in adult drug treatment court participants.
2. Dedicated case management staff: Develop individualized, culturally and linguistically appropriate treatment plans and work closely with treatment providers.
3. Monitoring: Perform ongoing case coordination with the intent of providing continuity and ongoing individualized services to the drug treatment court participant and comprehensive reporting to the drug treatment court.
4. Dedicated staff for recovery support services: Support client recovery by providing dedicated staff for services such as vocational and educational assessments, job placements, and Peer Specialist.
5. Maintain project logs, reports and records in appropriate files and database(s) and provide continuous feedback to participants’ progress with team members.
6. Assist in collecting and maintain all data as required by SAMHSA.
7. Provide appropriate supervision and oversight for any staff included on this project.

Other services that may be needed include, but are not limited to:

• Drug testing: Administration of urinalysis tests. Implementation of evidence-based case coordination practices.
• Integration of adult drug court best practice standards[1].

Required Staffing:

1. Supervisor (Part Time). The Supervisor will provide direct clinical supervision for the staff and training on program interventions. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology or related mental health field or Behavioral Science with previous supervisory experience. Must have working knowledge of treatment programs.  Good communication skills, both oral and written.  Ability to work cooperatively with treatment and criminal justice systems.  Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.  Must be proficient in computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets and Microsoft Office applications.

2. Coordinator (Part Time). The Coordinator will assist the project and evaluation staff and should have data management experience and preferably experience with SAMHSA projects.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or behavioral sciences with previous experience working with justice-involved individuals, trauma and co-occurring disorder populations. Familiarity with New York treatment resources including MAT and COD services.  Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.  Ability to work cooperatively with treatment and criminal justice systems.  Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.  Must be proficient in computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, Microsoft Office applications and/or database software necessary to perform work assignments.

3. Clinical Case Manager (Full Time). The Clinical Case Manager will conduct assessment interviews and case management of dually diagnosed mentally ill substance abusers.     

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or related mental health field or Behavioral Science. Must have working knowledge of treatment programs.  Good communication skills, both oral and written.  CASAC or other qualified healthcare credential is strongly preferred.  Ability to work cooperatively with treatment and criminal justice systems.  Must be proficient in computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets and Microsoft Office applications.

4. Case Manager/Vocational Counselor (Full Time). The Case Manager/Vocational Counselor will provide case management, liaison with treatment agencies, help with participant benefits, referral and follow-up for any needed support services, conduct project interventions, vocational and educational assessments and job placement assistance. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or related mental health field or Behavioral Science. Must have working knowledge of treatment programs.  Must have experience in the vocational area and familiarity with New York workforce resources.  Good communication skills, both oral and written.  CASAC or other qualified healthcare credential is strongly preferred.  Ability to work cooperatively with treatment and criminal justice systems.  Must be proficient in computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets and Microsoft Office applications.

5. Peer Mentor (Full Time). The Peer Mentor will provide appropriate support for participants referred to the treatment court by fostering positive relationships with program participants and facilitating groups.

Preferred qualifications:

• High school diploma or educational equivalent required.  Experience with drug courts or justice-involved adults preferred. Peer certification credential or prior experience as a peer support advocate/specialist preferred.  Ability to work cooperatively with treatment and criminal justice systems.  Must be proficient in computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets and Microsoft Office applications.