1. Family Preservation Services
Bidder’s Conference
DCF Office of Strategic Development:
Kerry-Anne Henry, Jeremiah Hawkins
March 1, 2017

2. Agenda & Objectives Introductions
Debra Lancaster, Chief Program Officer
Cathy Schafer, Director of Grants Management
Discuss highlights from the Request for Proposal for Statewide Family Preservation Services.
Clarify information provided in the RFP.

3. Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Created in July 2006
First Cabinet-level Department devoted exclusively to serving and safeguarding children and families
Mission: Ensure the safety, well-being and success of NJ’s children, youth and families.

4. Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Four Major Operating Divisions:
Child Protection and Permanency
Children's System of Care
Family and Community Partnerships
Division on Women
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5. Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P)
Formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS)
Investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect and addresses child welfare concerns
Child Abuse Hotline (State Central Registry) operates 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
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6. Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P)
46 Local Offices 9 Area

7. CP&P at a Glance
Monthly CP&P Quick Facts1 – February 2017
14,626
Hotline Referrals
25,185
Families Under CP&P Supervision
39,747
Children Receiving CP&P In-Home Services
6,291
Children in Out-of-Home Placements
Annual CP&P Abuse/Neglect Findings2 - CY14
90,135
Children Reported for Abuse/Neglect
11,556
Victims of Abuse/Neglect
(“Substantiated” or “Established” Finding)
1DCF Commissioner’s Dashboard and Child Abuse and Neglect Report

8. NJ Family Preservation Services
Intensive, in-home, family education and crisis intervention program.
Goals include:
Prevent unnecessary out-of-home placement
Ensure the safety of children
Stabilize the family
Improve family functioning and,
Link families with appropriate community resources.

9. Literature Review - Why FPS?
The removal of children from their homes can have devastating effects across multiple domains of functioning.
Most children fare better in their own homes with appropriate support services in place.
Sources:
1. Lawrence, C., Carlson, E.., & Egeland, B. (2006). The impact of foster care on development.
Development and Psychopathology, 18,
2 James, S., Landsverk, J., & Donald J. S. (2004). Placement Movement in Out-of-Home Care:
Patterns and Predictors. Children and Youth Services Review, 26(2):
3 Courtney, M., Dworsky, A., Brown, A., Cary, C., Love, K., & Vorhies, V. (2011). Midwest evaluation
of the adult functioning of former foster youth: Outcomes at age 26. Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall at the
University of Chicago.

10. Literature Review FPS Positively Impacts: Family functioning
Child Safety
Reduction in out-of-home (OOH) placements
Reduction in OOH Funding

11. NJ FPS Brief History Implementation began in 1987
Established by NJ State legislation in 1993
At least one program in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties
Facilitated through contracts with community- based providers

12. NJ FPS Model FPS and Step Down Assessment and Planning
Skill Based Intervention
Concrete Services
Service Closure and Transition

13. FPS and CP&P Child Abuse or Neglect Referral Screened In/Out
Investigation
CPS/CWS Findings
Service Provision/Case Closure
In-Home Services
Family Preservation Services
Out of Home Placement
Permanency Services
Post Permanency Services

14. Service Volume and Outcomes FY15: July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015
946 Families -
2,163 Children Served
92% of children remained in target home from intake to discharge
Almost 50% of children were 6yrs old or younger

15. Services to be Funded Model Components: Implementation Supports
Assessment and Planning
Skill Based Intervention
Concrete Services
Service Closure and Transition
Implementation Supports
Staffing
Training
Coaching/Supervision

16. Services to be Funded (cont.)
Evaluation- Applicant must agree to engage in the evaluation process with DCF (and possibly external evaluator) including but not limited to:
Mandatory Reporting
Quarterly Meetings
Other learning opportunities (i.e. Learning Collaborative etc.)
Follow-Up Survey with families at 3, 6 and 12 month intervals

17. FPS - Estimated Minimum Level of Service

18. Step Down – Current 7 Providers
9 counties (Atlantic, Cumberland, Camden, Gloucester, Essex, Union, Hudson, Middlesex and Ocean)
100 Slots
On average counties have 10 slots
These slots are fully utilized the majority of the time

19. Step Down LOS is inclusive of step down services
Step Down is a lower level of service and is to be determined on a case-by-case basis

20. What’s New? Improved access for families in crisis as needed
Improve staff Retention
Competitive Salaries
Strengthen Implementation Supports

21. Additional Information
Existing FPS contracted providers MUST apply for this RFP if they wish to continue to provide FPS.
Only one application is required for multiple counties
Each county will be evaluated separately
Each county must be able to stand on its own

22. Additional Information
Complete applications MUST include the County Checklist and corresponding Budget.
Budgets should be reasonable and reflect the scope of responsibilities required to achieve program goals.
We are looking for your best competitive proposal
There is no formula

23. Additional Information
Training
Existing New Worker Training
Supervisory Training is in development
Current providers, if not awarded new contract
DCF will work closely with your agency and the awarded agency to ensure a smooth transition

24. Posted on the DCF website by:
QA Responses
Posted on the DCF website by:
March 13, 2017
by 12:00 p.m.

25. RFP Submission
Proposals are due
March 29, 2017
by 12:00 p.m.