The Vendor is required to provide evidence-based employment services and supports to individuals age eighteen (18) and older who have substance use disorders (SUD) or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
- Evidence-based employment services are a set of services that develop opportunities in paid part time or fulltime positions at comparable wages for similar positions within the general labor market.
- Services include:
1. Provide staff and oversight and quality improvement activities including, but not limited to, periodic external fidelity reviews to sustain evidence-based supported employment services;
2. Partner and collaborate with the various service providers including but not limited to: Authorities, substance use treatment providers, homeless outreach teams, shelters, and other clinical providers to provide employment services within the service system;
3. Develop partnerships with local employers and community organizations to facilitate job interviews, expand career development opportunities, and improve employment and career outcomes;
4. Provide evidence-based supported employment services that, at a minimum:
• Ensure that no individual is screened out for participation based on criteria such as work readiness, substance use, symptoms, cognitive impairments, treatment noncompliance or personal presentation;
• Ensure employment specialists provide all phases of employment services and actively participate in treatment team meetings;
• Provide flexible employment services and supports, including, but not limited to benefits counseling;
• Provide engagement strategies that emphasize individual decision making;
• Begin job search activities within 30 days of an individual’s referral to the Contractor. Frequency and intensity of job development activity shall be determined by the individual in collaboration with the employment specialist;
• Develop job opportunities based on the individual’s preferences and consistent with their strengths and capacities;
• Ensure that each employment specialist builds relationships with potential employers and explores job opportunities for clients seeking work and make at least six (6) face to-face contacts with businesses each week;
• Provide on-site assessments of the individual, and face-to-face contact with an employer for at least 30 days after the individual is employed;
• Maintain a staffing ratio of not more than one (1) staff to twenty (20) individuals, and ensure each staff spends a minimum of sixty-five percent (65%) of their work schedule in the community;
• Provide employment retention supports that utilize available employer and community resources as needed. Such services shall facilitate planning for discharge from employment services;
• Assist individuals to achieve their employment outcomes and advance their careers;
• Use peer staff and activities that promote the visibility and viability of employment and education services.
- Contract Period/Term: 3 years
- A Bidders’ Conference Date: June 5, 2025
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: June 13, 2025