News

Coordinated Career Pathways (CCP) – Service Code 956

June 14, 2024

REQUEST FOR VENDORIZATION(RFV)

Coordinated Career Pathways (CCP)

Service Code 956

Published Date: April 22, 2024

Closing Date: To be Determined (TBD) and/or until need is filled

PROJECT OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND

The North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) is releasing this Request for Vendorization (RFV) to seek qualified individuals/agencies to provide Coordinated Career Pathways (CCP) services to individuals within the NLACRC catchment area.

In October 2022, the State’s Budget Trailer Bill for developmental services, SB 188 (Chapter 49, Statutes of 2022) added Welfare and Institutions Code section 4870.2, requiring the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to establish an employment pilot program. The Department developed Coordinated Career Pathways (CCP) as a new employment service option. This service was developed in consultation with a variety of individuals, experts, state agencies, and groups representing the local communities served and focuses on Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE), postsecondary education, and career readiness for individuals exiting work activity programs or secondary education. The service is time-limited, person-centered, evidence based, and geared towards preparing individuals for careers. More information can be found within the published DDS directive here Coordinated Career Pathways

INDIVIDUALS TO BE SERVED

This service will be provided to adults diagnosed with a developmental disability, found eligible for regional center services. Additionally, participants will include those who are exiting or have recently exited work activity programs or other subminimum wage settings, or within two years of exiting secondary education to explore and achieve inclusive options including but not limited to paid internship, CIE, self-employment, microenterprises and post-secondary education.

PROPOSED MODELS OF SERVICE

Two new services are available through CCP, a Career Pathway Navigator (CPN) and a Customized Employment Specialist (CES). Both services are time-limited to 18 months but can be extended to a maximum of 24 months.

  • Career Pathway Navigator (CPN) applies a person-centered approach to provide individualized and targeted supports to help individuals create and navigate their own career pathway to CIE in a way that incorporates the cultural background of the individual and their family.
  • Customized Employment Specialist (CES) is a person-centered and multi-strategy approach for achieving CIE or self-employment. CES services may vary in intensity and duration depending on individualized needs. A Customized Employment Specialist (CES) provides 1:1 CES services to the individual and employer including discovery, job search planning, job development and negotiation, placement support, and post-employment support. The CES may supervise other employment staff who provide workplace supports (e.g., training, job coaching, assistive technology)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPLICANTS

Applicants must show they meet the following minimum qualifications listed below:

  • Career Pathway Navigator (CPN) Minimum qualifications for CPN include a Bachelors-level degree with 3 years’ experience in the field of developmental disabilities service systems or an Associates-level degree with 5 years’ experience. The CPN must have completed:
    • A course or training in person-centered thinking/planning, and
    • A certificate from the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certificate with an emphasis on Customized Employment, or a certificate as a Customized Employment Support Professional (CESP) from the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE).

Additionally, CPN service providers must be knowledgeable of the service delivery systems including the regional center, generic services for community integration and employment services and resources.

  • Customized Employment Specialist (CES) Minimum qualifications for CPN include a Bachelors-level degree with 3 years’ experience in the field of developmental disabilities service systems or an Associates-level degree with 5 years’ experience. The CPN must have completed:
    • A course or training in person-centered thinking/planning, and
    • A certificate from the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certificate with an emphasis on Customized Employment, or a certificate as a Customized Employment Support Professional (CESP) from the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE).

Additionally, service providers must be knowledgeable of the service delivery systems including the regional center, generic services for community integration and employment services and resources.

RATE OF REIMBURSEMENT/RATIO

The Department has established rates for CCP which can be found here Reimbursement Rates – CA Department of Developmental Services: CA Department of Developmental Services. NLACRC is able to reimburse CCP services at the following rates:

  • Career Pathways Navigator (subcode- NAV): $90.47/hr.
  • Customized Employment Specialist (subcode- CES): $65.51

These rates have been established for each regional center to account for geographic cost differences related to wages, travel, and nonresidential real estate. There is no start-up funding available for this vendorization. All CCP services will be delivered face to face, at a 1:1 provider to participant ratio.

 

LOCATION & LANGUAGE IN WHICH SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED

Coordinated Career Pathways services are being requested to be provided in any and/or all three valleys located within the NLACRC catchment: San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley and Santa Clarita Valley. In addition, services are being requested in at least 1-3 other languages, besides English, listed below. See Proposal Title page for details.

American Sign Language (ASL)

Arabic

Armenian

Chinese – Cantonese

Chinese – Hakka

Chinese – Mandarin

Chinese – Other

Hebrew

Hindi

Japanese

Khmer

Korean

Persian (Farsi)

Russian

Spanish or Spanish Creole

Tagalog

Vietnamese

Other

 

COSTS FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Applicants responding to this RFV shall bear all costs associated with the development and submission of a proposal.

 

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Both non-profit and proprietary organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest per Title 17 Section 54500. Please note that applicants in active status with NLACRC and other Regional Centers 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 consumer abuse, previous failure to perform, or unwillingness to comply with Title 17 and NLACRC contractual obligations.

 

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 RFV response), the applicant receiving such support is responsible for all language contained in the RFV and the eventual program design.

 

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 reserves the right to withdraw this Request for Vendorization (RFV) and/or any item within the RFV at any time without notice. NLACRC reserves the right to disqualify any proposal which does not adhere to the RFV guidelines. This RFV does not commit the regional center to award any grant funds.

 

CALENDAR/APPLICANTS CONFERENCE

Coordinated Career Pathways (CCP) Request for Vendorization Calendar
April 22, 2024 RFV release date
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m. (PDT) CCP Info Session/Applicants Conference
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 1:00 p.m. (PDT) CCP Info Session/Applicants Conference
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 1:00 p.m. (PDT) CCP Info Session/Applicants Conference
Wednesday August 7, 2024 1:00 p.m. (PDT) CCP Info Session/Applicants Conference
To be Determined (TBD)/until need is filled RFV submission deadline
To be Determined (TBD)/until need is filled Evaluation of proposals by Resource Development
To be Determined (TBD)/until need is filled Proposal status (Complete/Incomplete) emailed to applicants

 

Info Session/Applicants Conference

An informational meeting to answer questions about CCP as well as this RFV will be held on the following dates…

This meeting is not required for those who wish to apply. However, it is strongly recommended for applicants.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85925839773?pwd=Bi6DzBrERiPpGj5gIBLbzS2gD2yCG8.1

Meeting ID: 859 2583 9773

Passcode: 393700

Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 1:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84455972602?pwd=5t6gaoLDaDOPc0sOrJWiSzEbG5kdbU.1

Meeting ID: 844 5597 2602

Passcode: 605806

Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 1:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82337679457?pwd=amLZg1GCFxMs01fwYccj8zR7itCKDh.1

Meeting ID: 823 3767 9457

Passcode: 357605

Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 1:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89818344559?pwd=yB7TS4Uj0fzaAaOcqWHRwy9sxDlIbX.1

Meeting ID: 898 1834 4559

Passcode: 536395

 

INQUIRIES/REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

All additional inquiries regarding this application or requesting technical assistance should be directed to resourcedevelopment@nlacrc.org.  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.

 

PROPOSAL PREPARATION GUIDE

The following information is provided to assist the applicant in preparing their proposal:

 

The applicant is required to submit an electronic copy in a PDF format. An applicant will be disqualified from consideration for failure to follow instructions, complete documents, submit required documents or meet the submission deadline. All proposals submitted must adhere to the following requirements:

  • Use Standard size format so proposal will print out on a standard 8 ½ x 11 paper
  • Proposal must be typed using a standard font (12 point).
  • Every page must be numbered consecutively.
  • The Proposal Title Page must be the first page of the proposal.
  • The proposal must include a Table of Contents that corresponds to the proposal.
  • All sections of the Content Requirements must be addressed in the proposal.

PROPOSAL CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

The following documents must be submitted by the applicant:

  1. Attachment A: Proposal Title Page – Fill out the form provided
  2. Table of Contents – Please ensure all proposal content requirements are indicated
  3. Attachment B: Statement of Obligation – Fill out the form provided
  4. Attachment C: Statement of Equity and Diversity – Utilize the outline provided
  5. Applicant’s Experience, Background & Qualifications
  • Provide a 1 (one) page or less summary of the applicant’s qualifications which details education, certifications, licensure and experience necessary to provide CCP services. Include your experience providing services to persons with developmental Ensure you highlight your knowledgeable of the service delivery systems including the regional center and generic services for community integration and employment.
  • Provide a copy of the certifications and licensure required for this service.
  • Provide a copy of your resume with at least two (2) references with addresses and telephone numbers, and a statement permitting that references may be verified by NLACRC. Applicants should be aware that the selection committee will contact references or other sources to corroborate any information provided in the
  1. Attachment F: Program Design – Utilize the program design guidance
  2. Business Entity Documents – Provide Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, EIN Letter, DBA, etc.

 

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

All proposals must conform to the attached Proposal Writing Guidelines and Content Requirements.  The applicant must submit the completed proposal to resourcedevelopment@nlacrc.org.  No fax copies or physical copies dropped off at NLACRC will be accepted. The proposals must be complete, typewritten, collated, page numbered, and submitted electronically via email. No proposals will be accepted after the deadline.

Due to email constraints, you must submit your proposal in three or more emails. Be sure to label the emails based on the number of emails-for example, 1 of 3, 2 of 3, etc.  If your email series does not generate a final response email in return, the files were too large and were not received.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

TBD/until need is filled.