The Vendor is required to provide implementing credible messenger (CM) programming within the county.
- The CM programming will be provided to specific youth populations which are housed within county juvenile facilities, halls, and camps.
- The CM Program will work in conjunction with probation, educational, and behavioral health staff to provide a holistic set of supports focused on personal transformation and healing, promote wellness and safety inside facilities, build meaningful and trusting relationships through positive interactions with youth, and prepare youth for successful reintegration and connection back to their communities.
- Provide credible messenger programming with at least one CM assigned per 10 youth (1:10) housed in each cottage or unit designated for contractor to serve, along with one CMS or other suitable supervisory coverage per shift.
- Provide individualized mentorship and support based on the principles of credible messengers and youth development, using a strengths-based, healing-centered, trauma-informed, and restorative approach.
- Engage, establish rapport, and build trusting relationships with youth.
- Provide tailored transformative mentoring individual and group sessions to address the diverse needs of all youth, whether those issues stem from pre-existing conflicts in their lives, have arisen during their time in- custody, are exacerbated by substance use, or are connected to their areas of interest for personal growth and future aspirations.
- These sessions are designed to be responsive to a range of challenges, including relational, identity-based, social, behavioral, and other issues that youth may encounter.
- Provide individualized support that promotes healing, resilience, and positive development, enabling youth to navigate their challenges effectively and work towards a brighter future both during and after their time in-custody.
- Provide relevant and engaging services using a youth-centered approach that are sensitive to the challenges that youth and their families face, including but not limited to medical and behavioral health needs, as they maintain supportive services.
- Accompany youth as they matriculate through their day/evening, providing proactive support and co-navigation.
- Provide case management support where possible, particularly in coordinating the development of reentry plans for youth prior to release, including, but not limited to, addressing housing, academic, vocational, and health needs through advocacy, community navigation, and referrals to services.
- Provide post-release support by conducting visit to support the youth’s post-release, including, but not limited to, support and follow-ups on referrals, enrollment in services, and addressing aftercare needs.
- Support youth through reentry and after release with continued mentorship and services, in line with credible messenger model and the contractor’s reentry service model.
- Work alongside and in collaboration with probation facility staff and other county and community staff-on-site to implement the credible messenger program and provide services to youth.
- Contract Period/Term: 2 years
- Virtual Proposers Conference Date: April 30, 2025
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: May 2, 2025