BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The mission of the New York State Unified Court System (UCS) is to deliver equal justice under the law and to achieve the just, fair and timely resolution of all matters that come before our courts. In the service of our mission, the UCS is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, and to ensuring that all who enter or serve in our courts are treated with respect, dignity, and professionalism. We affirm our responsibility to promote a court system free from any and all forms of bias and discrimination and to promote a judiciary and workforce that reflect the rich diversity of New York State. More information about the UCS is available at https://www.nycourts.gov .

The UCS Office of Court Administration’s (OCA) Division of Professional and Court Services (DPCS) is soliciting proposals via this RFP for the purpose of providing mental health services to the Rochester Surviving and Finding Empowerment (SAFE) Court.

UCS operates Human Trafficking Intervention Courts (HTIC) throughout the state. The HTICs connect criminal defendants who are victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation with services and treatment in the community. HTIC participants are generally charged with a prostitution-related offense or have prior arrests/convictions for a prostitution-related offense. The HTICs work collaboratively with a team of trauma informed social service and treatment professionals in the local community that link participants to crucial services and treatment based on their individual needs. Coordination of participant court appearances and service/treatment appointments requires a specialized combination of expertise with the criminal justice, substance and mental health treatment, and social services communities.

PROJECT INFORMATION

UCS is the recipient of an award (the “Grant Award”) by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) (the “Grantor”) for the purpose of funding the Rochester SAFE Court in Monroe County, New York (the “Project”). Pursuant to the terms of the Grant Award, $434,057 is the maximum available funding for Project Services (as set forth in Article V below) performed during May 1, 2024 – September 30, 2026, provided, however, that such period may be extended upon mutual agreement of Grantor and UCS (the “Project Term”). UCS reserves the right to request a no-cost extension of the Project Term from the Grantor.

Funding for any contract resulting from this RFP is contingent upon New York State’s receipt of federal grant funding for activities covered by this RFP

UCS anticipates that the selected applicant will be designated a “subrecipient” rather than a “contractor” for purposes of federal requirements of the Grant Award.

AWARD

UCS intends to award one contract for a term commencing on or about May 1, 2024, and terminating on or about September 30, 2026 (“Contract Term”).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Contract Term of any contract resulting from this RFP may extend to a term not to exceed five (5) years in total, which contract shall terminate upon the earlier of: (i) five (5) years from the contract commencement date; or (ii) the complete expenditure of funding available for Project Services, whichever is earlier, unless otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms of said contract. Awarded contractor shall be contractually obligated to provide the Project Services for the Project Term, as it may be amended or extended. UCS and awarded contractor shall communicate regularly concerning the remaining amount of grant funds and the approximate timing of complete expenditure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Proposals will be considered only from applicants who meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Qualified applicants are agencies that possess at least two (2) years of experience in performing services similar or relevant to those described herein.
• Qualified applicants must have the capacity to provide Project Services (as set forth in Article V, below), including the Required Staffing, to clients within Monroe County.

PROJECT SERVICES

UCS seeks proposals describing how the applicant will provide the services listed below (“Project Services”). The selected applicant shall be required to:

• Deliver individually tailored, trauma specific care and wrap-around support services to participants; regularly meet with participants; closely monitor and encourage participants’ continued engagement in treatment and services and encourage their successful completion of SAFE obligations; and discuss participants’ progress with team members as necessary.
• Provide trauma specific mental health and/or co-existing abuse care and intervention using evidence-based therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and substance abuse-domestic violence (SADV) therapy. Services are to be provided in person at a designated clinic or at a location near the courthouse and/or using tele-behavioral health. Digital therapies, including avatar-assisted CBT, which exists as a 12-session digitized and interactive prototype, self-guided by patients for use, will be offered to participants.
• Deliver a mental health program designed to fit the culturally specific needs of the participants of the SAFE Court to promptly address trauma leading to increased participation, engagement, personal development, and overall better mental health. Subject matter, such as self-image, body image, depression, anxiety, trauma, violence, suicide, grief and loss, self-efficacy, decision making, conflict resolution, communication skills, relationship building and more, will be explored. Weekly sessions will be guided by a licensed clinician incorporating elements of mindfulness, reflective journaling, and culturally sensitive care strategies.
• Provide Clinical Psychology Residents on-site at SAFE Court appearances on an in-kind basis without the use of grant funds. Residents will be supervised by a Licensed Psychologist to provide evidence-based assessments, testing and interventions to participants who need mental health, trauma, and addiction treatments.
• Licensed Psychologist will: maintain communication with the residents; coordinate and identify mental health disorders and mental health substance use disorders; deliver tele-behavioral health trainings; and provide group supervision and individual supervision to residents.
• Provide comprehensive case management and peer support services to help participants remain engaged in treatment and services to achieve their goals.
• Assign two trauma informed mental health case managers to SAFE Court, who will identify potential participants at arraignment in Rochester City Court and as soon as possible in other courts in Monroe County and surrounding counties after criminal justice system contact.
• The mental health case managers will work with participants and appear at bi-weekly SAFE Court dates. The mental health case managers will work in collaboration with residents to screen and assess insured and uninsured participants within ten (10) days to identify mental health disorders (MHD) or mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUD), determine participants’ mental health and/or co-existing abuse, and trauma needs, and immediately connect participants with necessary trauma-specific mental health treatment and/or co-existing abuse treatment.
• Within 48 hours of arraignment, staff will link participants with community partners to work towards housing stabilization, childcare, and other essential needs.
• Provide a Peer Support Specialist to:
  1. Provide direct, intensive, and constant support to participants to gain their trust, motivate sustained engagement in treatment and SAFE Court, and encourage successful completion of SAFE obligations. They will also moderate a weekly peer support group for participants.
  2. Meet clients in person, at recovery centers, at the courthouse, and at participants’ outpatient program. The applicant should require the peer support specialist to meet with clients wherever they are housed, including community residences, homeless shelters, jail, hospital, and wherever they require services. The applicant should also require the peer support specialist to maintain cell phone and email availability and have flexible hours to tend to participants in the evenings and weekends, where practical.
  3. Link participants to community connections/resources, such as financial assistance; educational, religious/cultural, and healthcare organizations; and food pantries.
  4. Communicate with the Resource Coordinator and other team members about issues regarding continuing challenges and/or resistant participants; provide continuous feedback on participants’ progress; and attend and participate in treatment court sessions, team conferences, grant-sponsored training, etc.
• The contractor shall provide in-kind services equivalent to 14% of the total contract value to facilitate the delivery of the required services.
• Maintain documentation (such as project logs, reports, and records in appropriate files and database(s)) and provide continuous feedback to treatment court team members regarding participant progress.
• Assist in collecting and maintaining all data as required by BJA.
• Provide appropriate supervision and oversight for any staff included on this project.

Required Staffing:

1. Case Managers (Two (2) full-time). The Case Managers will work closely with the SAFE Project Coordinator and must demonstrate skill in identifying primary treatment/intervention needs, such as mental health problems, substance abuse, and other areas of concerns.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in the field of counseling, psychology, or social work with one (1) years of relevant experience in the field of social work, criminal justice or counseling; or
• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in the field of counseling, psychology, criminal justice, or social work with two (2) years of full-time, paid work experience in the field of social work, criminal justice, or counseling.

1. Psychologist (part-time). The Psychologist will oversee the Clinical Psychology Residents and have the primary responsibility for maintaining communication with internship site, coordinating and conducting internship mental health and/or substance use and tele-behavioral health trainings, leading training committee meetings, providing group supervision and individual supervision to residents.

Required Qualifications:

• Licensed as a psychologist in the State of New York.
• D. from accredited college or university.
• Two years of full-time supervised experience, consistent with the scope of practice in psychology.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years or more of experience using digital and tele-health therapies.
• Two years or more of experience training using the use of digital and tele-health therapies.
• Two years or more of experience using evidence-based therapies in co-existing abuse and/or domestic violence.
• Two years or more of experience training the use of evidence-based therapies in co-existing abuse and/or domestic violence.

1. Peer Support Specialist (part-time). The Peer Support Specialist will work directly with the SAFE Court Coordinator. The Peer Support Specialist must demonstrate knowledge of coping skills for dealing with symptoms of mental health and co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues, self-help techniques, and self-help group process.

Preferred Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent is preferred.
• New York State certification as a Recovery Coach, Peer Support Specialist, Family Advocate, or near completion, or relevant experience preferred.