اخبار

Development of Service Provider Training Program for Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes (EBSH) and Community Crisis Homes (CCH)

December 16, 2024

Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP)
Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Request for Proposals

Project #: NLACRC-2425-9
Development of Service Provider Training Program
for Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes (EBSH) and Community Crisis Homes (CCH)

Published Date: December 13, 2024

Closing Date: February 2, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (PST)

North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) received approval for Community Resource Development Plan (CRDP) funding by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and is seeking proposal submissions for the development of a training program for residential service providers who are interested in expanding their services to include Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes (EBSHs) and/or Community Crisis Homes (CCHs). All interested applicants must have demonstrable experience supporting adults with developmental disabilities and have a physical business office located within NLACRC’s catchment area.

NLACRC-2425-9: Development of Service Provider Training Program for Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes (EBSH) and Community Crisis Homes (CCH)

Start-Up Funds: $50,000 (Subject to DDS approval)

Development of a training program for qualified providers that have demonstrated a commitment to providing quality residential services with behavioral supports (i.e., Level 4, SRF) that are interested in expanding their services to include EBSH and CCH homes. The selected applicant will create a training program that can be used on an ongoing basis to train residential service providers on the regulations, training requirements, and service delivery aspects of EBSH and CCH homes. The ideal candidate will have experience developing and operating Community Placement Plan (CPP) homes at the behavioral level.

PURPOSE & SCOPE

Due to provider closures and consolidations, the number of vendors qualified to provide residential services with behavioral supports at an EBSH or CCH level has decreased significantly in the NLACRC catchment area. A service provider training program is needed in order to meet the increased need of EBSH and/or CCH services for NLACRC consumers. Curriculum components to include but are not limited to training materials, knowledge verification tests, and a one-time training symposium, which will then be preserved and used as an ongoing training program for interested and qualified providers.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants to this RFP must be able to demonstrate prior experience providing services and supporting people with developmental disabilities and challenging behavioral service needs in an Enhanced Behavioral Supports Home (EBSH), Community Crisis Home (CCH), or similar setting.

VENDORIZATION PROCESS

Vendorization is the process for identification, selection, and utilization of service providers based on the qualifications and other requirements necessary in order to provide services to individuals. The vendorization process allows regional centers to verify, prior to the provision of services, that an applicant meets all of the requirements and standards specified in regulations and statutes.

All material and information provided herein is for the sole use of the applicants applying for this RFP. In addition to the qualifications outlined in the RFP, all applicants must demonstrate familiarity of California Code of Regulations, Title 17, general provisions and be eligible for vendorization by NLACRC. All applicants must also demonstrate that they possess the necessary relevant professional experience and organizational capacity to create and sustain the provision of this service.

NLACRC invites all interested parties, meeting the qualifications described below, to review the information listed herein and submit a proposal to NLACRC for consideration. NLACRC appreciates your interest in responding to this RFP to meet the unique needs of adults within need of residential services.

RFP TIMELINE

December 13, 2024	Request for Proposals release
December 19, 2024, 10:00 a.m.	Applicants’ Conference Information Session
February 2, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (PST)	Deadline for receipt of proposals
February 3 – 25, 2025	Evaluation of proposals by selection committee
March 3 – 6, 2025	Interviews with highest ranking applicants, if applicable
March 13, 2025	Notice of selection emailed to applicants
June 2, 2025	Start-up contract signed

APPLICANTS’ CONFERENCE INFORMATION SESSION

Applicants’ Conference

An Informational Meeting to answer questions about this RFP will be held on

Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

به جلسه زوم بپیوندید

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83603263680?pwd=b2m1BVHJ5DcE6gys2fwJ08IBePizZd.1

Meeting ID: 836 0326 3680

Passcode: 649722

Attendance at the Applicants’ Conference is not required for those who wish to apply but is strongly recommended.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE

The deadline for submission of proposals is February 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PST.

All interested parties are invited to submit a proposal to NLACRC in accordance with the specifications contained in this Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development and operation of the Specialized Residential Facility as described herein.

A) BACKGROUND OF NLACRC

NLACRC is a private, nonprofit corporation, which contracts with the State of California’s Department of Developmental Services (DDS), to provide services and supports to persons with developmental disabilities and their families in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, autism, and cerebral palsy. The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) has established NLACRC as a 501(c)(3) corporation.

NLACRC serves more than 37,000 individuals within its catchment area. Services and supports provided by NLACRC include diagnostic, evaluation, case management, and early intervention services. In addition, NLACRC purchases services from over 1,000 entities or individuals in NLACRC’s catchment area. The purchased services include, but are not limited to, out-of-home residential services, community-based day programs, transportation, independent living services, supported living services, Early Start services for children under the age of 3 years, family supports, such as day care or respite, and behavioral intervention services.

NLACRC’s funding from DDS includes funding for both the operations of the regional center and the services purchased to support the individuals we serve. NLACRC’s allocation from DDS for fiscal year 2023-2024 is $ 834,980,751 of which $ 98,349,464 is for regional center operations and $736,631,287 is for Purchase of Services. NLACRC anticipates similar funding from DDS in future years

B) START-UP FUNDING

Start-up funds are awarded with the intent of funding the cost to develop new services and trainings. While this training is not meant to develop into a vendored service commitments in the form of hard (dollar) and/or soft (in-kind) contributions may be necessary for some applicant receiving awards which lead to vendored services.

The maximum amount of start-up funding available for each project is detailed in the project descriptions at the beginning of this RFP. It is understood that the actual cost to complete the project should not exceed this amount. Any additional costs not approved by the regional center will be the responsibility of the applicant. Payment of claims submitted to the regional center is contingent upon the provision of acceptable documentation including, but not limited to: invoices, receipts, and cancelled checks. It is understood if the start-up contract is terminated before completion of the training program described herein, the Contractor shall pay back the start-up funds received in total.

C) ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Both non-profit and proprietary organizations are eligible to apply. Employees of Regional Centers are not eligible to apply. Applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest per Title 17 Section 54500. Applicants, including members of the governing board, must be in active status in regard to all services vendored with any regional center and be financially solvent. Applicants that have been sanctioned in the last 12 months will not be eligible for vendorization.

D) APPLICANT PARTNERSHIPS AND MATERIALS SUBMITTED

Applicants who apply as partners must have full knowledge of the proposal packet and must demonstrate commitment to the project during start-up and ongoing operations. However, if a partner’s sole purpose is to provide financial backing to the project, the financial backer need only show financial commitment. If the partner’s role is only to provide technical support (e.g., drafting the RFP response), the applicant receiving such support is responsible for all language contained in the RFP and the eventual program design.

E) SELECTION PROCEDURES

All proposals received by the deadline will be reviewed and scored by the Proposal Selection Committee selected by NLACRC. Proposals will be reviewed for timeliness, completeness, quality, experience and fiscal stability of applicant, reasonableness of costs, ability of applicant to identify and achieve individual outcomes, and the ability of proposed project to respond to the identified needs of NLACRC. After preliminary review and scoring, an interview with the finalists will be scheduled. Interviews will be scheduled on weekdays between March 3 – 6, 2025 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

In addition to evaluation on the merit of the proposal, applicants will be evaluated and selected based on previous performance, including the timely completion of projects, a history of cooperative work with the regional center or other funders, ability to complete projects within budgeted amounts, and a record of accomplishment consistent with established timelines for development.

The final decision of the Proposal Selection Committee shall be approved by the Executive Director and is not subject to appeal. All applicants will receive notification of NLACRC’s decision regarding their proposal.

F) RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

NLACRC reserves the right to request or negotiate changes in a proposal, to accept all or part of a proposal, or to reject any or all proposals. NLACRC may, at its sole and absolute discretion, select no provider for these services if, in its determination, no applicant is sufficiently responsive to the need. NLACRC reserves the right to withdraw this Request for Proposal (RFP) and/or any item within the RFP at any time without notice. NLACRC reserves the right to disqualify any proposal which does not adhere to the RFP guidelines. This RFP is being offered at the discretion of NLACRC. It does not commit the regional center to award any grant. Please note applicants must be in active status with NLACRC and other Regional Centers and may be disqualified for any of the following: receipt of Correction Action Plan (CAP), Sanction or Immediate Danger findings, failure to disclose any history of deficiencies or confirmed reports of abuse, previous failure to perform, or unwillingness to comply with Title 17 and NLACRC best practices.

G) COSTS FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

متقاضیانی که به RFP پاسخ می دهند، تمام هزینه های مربوط به توسعه و ارسال یک پیشنهاد را متحمل خواهند شد.

H) INQUIRIES/REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

All additional inquiries regarding this application or requesting technical assistance for this RFP only, should be directed to resourcedevelopment@nlacrc.org. Technical assistance is limited to information on the requirements for preparation of the application packet. Applicants are expected to prepare the documentation themselves or retain someone to provide such assistance. If an applicant chooses to retain assistance from another party, the applicant must be able to thoroughly address all sections of the proposal during the interview process and/or demonstrate that the party assisting with the application will have a continuing role in the ongoing operation of the program

I) PROPOSAL PREPARATION GUIDE

NLACRC PROPOSAL WRITING GUIDELINES

متقاضی موظف است یک نسخه الکترونیکی را در الف فرمت PDF. متقاضی به دلیل عدم رعایت دستورالعمل ها، تکمیل مدارک، ارائه مدارک مورد نیاز یا رعایت مهلت ارسال، از بررسی رد صلاحیت خواهد شد. کلیه پیشنهادات ارسالی باید دارای شرایط زیر باشد:

از قالب اندازه استاندارد استفاده کنید تا پروپوزال روی کاغذ استاندارد 8 ½ x 11 چاپ شود
پیشنهاد باید با استفاده از فونت استاندارد (12 امتیاز) تایپ شود.
هر صفحه باید به صورت متوالی شماره گذاری شود.
صفحه عنوان پیشنهاد باید صفحه اول پروپوزال باشد.
پروپوزال باید شامل فهرست مطالبی باشد که با پیشنهاد مطابقت دارد.
تمام بخش‌های الزامات محتوا باید در پروپوزال بررسی شود.

اطلاعات زیر برای کمک به متقاضی در تهیه پروپوزال ارائه می شود:

Sample Service Development Agreement (Appendix 1)
NLACRC Board of Trustees Request for Proposals Policy (Appendix 2)

J) INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN PROPOSAL

Proposal Title Page (Attachment A)
فهرست مطالب
Training Program Description
1. Provide a description of the service provider training program to be developed
Service Provider Experience & Qualifications
1. Provide an overview of the applicant’s business, including an overview of services provided, business philosophy, business location(s), business hours, number of staff, mission statement, business history, etc.
2. Detail your company’s experience in providing services and supports to individuals with substance use disorders and developmental disabilities.
3. Describe your experience operating an EBSH and/or CCH facility
Applicant/Vendor Disclosure Statement (Form DS 1891) (Attachment B)
Statement of Obligation (Attachment C)
Start-up Budget (Attachment D)
1. Provide a start-up budget for the development of the training program
2. The start-up budget amount should not exceed amount specified per project.
3. Additionally, specify the total start-up budget amount required which may exceed the funds available with hard (dollar) and/or soft (in-kind) commitments.
Start-up activities and timeline to implement the project
Organization Chart that maps the supervisory hierarchy including governing boards, advisory boards, as well as other programs or facilities operated by the organization, as applicable.
Resumes of Staff
Three (3) references with addresses, and phone numbers, including permission for NLACRC to contact them

K) SELECTION TIMETABLE

Applicants’ Conference Information Meeting on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83603263680?pwd=b2m1BVHJ5DcE6gys2fwJ08IBePizZd.1
Proposals due to NLACRC no later than Sunday, February 2, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. (PST)
Interviews March 3 – 6, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Selection by March 13, 2025
Finalize vendorization/contract paperwork: March 10, 2025
The service provider awarded contract should be executed by April 30, 2025

L) ارائه پیشنهادات

All proposals must conform to the attached Proposal Writing Guidelines and Content Requirements. The applicant must submit the completed proposal to NLACRC resourcedevelopment@nlacrc.org. Submissions that are too large to submit in one email may be sent it multiple parts, but must be clearly labeled as such (e.g., Part 1/3, Part 2/3, etc.). Proposals that are faxed, mailed, or dropped off at NLACRC reception will not be accepted. No proposals will be accepted after the submission deadline.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

Sunday, February 2, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (PST)

M) EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Proposal Selection Committee will use the criteria below to rate proposals submitted by potential providers. Each proposal shall be organized according to section K. INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN PROPOSAL above. The scoring of proposals will determine which finalists will move forward to the interview process. Each section of the submitted proposal will receive a maximum score as follows:

بخش پیشنهادات	حداکثر امتیاز
Start-up Budget	25 points
Agency/Individual Experience and Background	25 points
Start-up Activities/Objectives and Timeline	25 points
Proposed Training Program Description	25 points
مجموع حداکثر امتیاز	100

N) TIMELINE FOR DEVELOPMENT

It is anticipated that each applicant awarded start-up funds through this RFP will be operating the facility within one year after the contract has been executed.

O) SELECTION PROCEDURES

All proposals received by the deadline will be reviewed and scored by the CRDP Proposal Selection Committee established by NLACRC. The CRDP Proposal Selection Committee shall be comprised of at least four (4) members, the majority of whom shall have experience in evaluating, procuring, or providing CRDP services. Proposals will be reviewed for completeness, experience, qualifications, fiscal stability of applicant, reasonableness of costs, and the ability of applicant to identify and achieve individual outcomes, and the ability of the proposed project to address identified needs of NLACRC. The Proposal Selection Committee will conduct interviews of finalist applicants as determined by the proposal scoring criteria.

P) AWARD PROCESS

Upon selection, NLACRC will issue an Award Letter to the applicant selected for the development of the service provider training program. The award letter will provide instructions for completing the contracting process. The applicant selected will be expected to complete and submit all required documentation to complete the contracting process by April 30, 2025.

Q) PROTEST PROCEDURE

Within thirty (30) days of selecting the applicant, NLACRC shall post on its website the intent to award notice to include the applicant selected and the contract award date. All unsuccessful applicants shall be notified by NLACRC in writing ten (10) days prior to posting the intent to award notice on NLACRC’s website. All unsuccessful applicants have the right to protest NLACRC’s notice of intent to award the contract. Unsuccessful applicants shall have ten (10) days upon receipt of intent to award notice to protest the intent to award the contract (“Protest”). If the unsuccessful applicant does not submit the written Protest within the ten (10) day period, NLACRC shall deny such Protest and the Intent to Award notice shall be deemed final. Protests shall be in writing and shall state the grounds(s) for the protest. All Protests must be mailed, emailed, or faxed to the following address:

Arshalous Garlanian, Community Services Director

مرکز منطقه ای شهرستان لس آنجلس شمالی

9200 Oakdale Avenue, Suite 100

Chatsworth، CA 91311

agarlanian@nlacrc.org

(818) 756-6130 (fax)

NLACRC shall take one of the following steps below, within thirty (30) days upon receipt of a written Protest:

Not award the contract until the protest has been withdrawn or the regional centers has resolved the protest; OR
Terminate the CPP process by notifying all bidders in writing within ten (10) days after the decision to terminate the contract award process; and correct the disputed items and rebid the contract.