The vendor is required to provide out-of-home placement services when necessary, as an alternative to a youth being admitted to the juvenile detention facility.
- Currently this out-of-home alternative placement is being provided at the youth empowerment system (YES) shelter.
- This alternative is to reduce the unnecessary and inappropriate use of detention while maintaining public safety and minimizing failure to appear rates in family court.
- Provide support to youth that results in an increase in the number of youth that reach resolution of their case without incurring a program violation, a violation of probation, and/or a new charge.
- 16 male placements ranging between 13 and 18 years of age (the average age was 15).
- Offenses for which youth were charged resulting in placement in YES include:
• 1 st degree – 6.3% (1 youth)
• 2 nd degree – 37.5% (6 youth)
• 3 rd degree – 43.8% (7 youth)
• 4 Th degree – 12.5% (2 youth)
- The average length of stay in the yes shelter was 35.5 days, ranging from 2 days to 120 days).  - Services include:
• Increase the amount of positive community interactions through prosocial activities.
• Decrease community risk factors that impact youth and their families.
• Reduce contacts with the legal system including contacts with family court and local law enforcement officers.
• Reduce detention admissions and/or length of stay in detention center.
• Provide support and collaborate with system partners to stabilize families.
• Increase the number of youth successful on an alternative via a reduction in the number of youths who are unsuccessful due to program non-compliance.
• Reduce detention admissions for detention alternative violations.  - A single vendor to provide 4 – 6 male youth temporary out-of-home detention alternative placement on any given day.
- The placement should embody programming that is culturally responsive, consistent with restorative justice practices, and relevant programming to support youth during placement.
- Location(s) provided also houses other youth, must indicate how the populations will be kept separate both for housing and programming.
- Include a culturally responsive family engagement policy that aims to support the family unit and reduce the risk of violating the placement.
- Provide a staffing plan, schedules, and job descriptions for outlined positions.
- It is the responsibility of the vendor to have a staffing matrix that provides 24 hours, 7 days a week coverage.
- Provide a plan to ensure access to medical care as appropriate and necessary.
- Provide a balanced recreational program, including workshops, athletics, social, and leisure time activities.
- Provide supportive, evidence-informed youth development programming that promotes youth engagement fundamental to their growth, well-being, and overall safety of the program.
- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: May 27, 2025