Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to expand its system of community-based voluntary services for at-risk children and families. The RFP seeks to build upon the success of DCYF’s existing system of community-based services in order to promote safe, stable and nurturing families and communities. Supported by Governor Sununu and the legislature in the most recent budget, the new service array will advance DCYF’s efforts to support children and youth and strengthen families before abuse or neglect occurs.
“We want to offer services that span across our entire child- and family-serving system to support children, youth and families in a preventive, proactive and holistic way, so that they can be healthy and strong without our intervention,” said DCYF Director Joseph Ribsam. “We have seen the stress that the COVID-19 emergency has placed on families, and we anticipate an increased demand for services once we are past the crisis point. It will be as important as ever to make sure our families have the tools they need to be successful, and we look forward to working with our community partners to strengthen our services so that all New Hampshire families can thrive.”
In October of 2019, DCYF sought input from stakeholders across the child- and family-serving system, including services providers, youth, parents and relatives, foster parents, advocacy groups, mental health providers and other non-traditional stakeholders. Feedback from 38 respondents informed the RFP, which includes features such as authentic family engagement, the flexibility of services, performance improvement, and adequate funding for service delivery.
Responses to the RFP are due by June 4, 2020. In order to follow guidelines for social distancing issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DHHS has taken measures to protect the health and safety of respondents. A virtual vendor conference will be held by video and phone via Zoom on May 7, 2020, to answer questions. Respondents must RSVP by midnight on May 5. Potential respondents may register for the conference by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/