1.01Introduction and Program Description

The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS or Department), Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), is requesting proposals from eligible applicants to provide Recidivism Reduction services for the State of Alaska in FY2023. Program Services are authorized under 7 AAC 78 Grant Programs. Additional governing statutes are 7AAC 78 - Grant Programs, 620 Community Mental Health Services Act, and 47.37 Uniform Alcoholism and Intoxication Treatment Act. State of Alaska statutes and regulations are accessible at Department of Law Document Library or through the contact person identified on the cover page of this Request for Proposals (RFP).

The Recidivism Reduction program was initially established as part of legislation to increase public safety. The emphasis of the original program was on pre-release reentry planning and the implementation of reentry plans once criminal justice-involved individuals were released into the community. Funds were utilized to establish or enhance reentry coalitions in communities around the state. Coalitions engaged in community assessment and planning efforts and some coalitions determined that the need for a reentry case manager was an effective strategy for implementing community planning efforts as well as supporting the coordination efforts. Reentry programs continue to assist reentrants to communities using evidence-based practices to increase access to needed services and supports. The grantee will work closely with Department of Corrections (DOC) personnel to facilitate the successful transitions of reentrants back to the community.

This position also will provide direct services to the reentrant through case management services. Using evidence-based practices, case management services will be front-loaded when possible through in-reach to DOC institutions. The position will coordinate pre-planning efforts with DOC institutions, and enhance and expand access to transitional supports such as: enrollment and eligibility in Medicaid or other health insurance options including health literacy, behavioral health and substance use treatment, and medication-assisted treatment; housing; job readiness/employment services; primary healthcare; life skills training; peer support services; transportation; and acquisition of needed documentation such as birth certificates, social security cards, and tribal identification. This position will collaborate closely with DBH, DOC, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (the Trust), and other reentry entities around the state in an effort to increase public safety and decrease recidivism in Alaska.

1.02Program Goals and Anticipated Outcomes

The proposed project must demonstrate a thorough understanding and support of the grant program goals and outcomes anticipated by the Department.

The award wall be granted to one entity in the city of Fairbanks. The overarching goals of the Recidivism Reduction grants are to:

1. Promote public safety by reducing the threat of harm to persons, families and their property by reducing recidivism;
2. Increase the success rates of returning citizens who transition from prison by fostering effective, evidence-based risk and need management.

The lone position to be funded by the grant will focus on case management services to reentrants. 

Case Management Goals

1. Support returning citizens to reduce recidivism by providing case management services that enhance and expand access to essential, supportive services such as housing, employment and treatment.
2. Support evidence-based practices, including matching the amount and level of transitional services to the risk of recidivism based on the Level of Service Inventory - Revised (LSI-R) risk assessment score as provided by DOC.
3. Support DOC's efforts in pre-release planning by coordinating in-reaches (when available) that involve community partners. Post-release support will be provided that implements best practices, such as the reduction in caseload of high-risk, high-needs reentrants, and consistent monitoring of referrals to gauge intended impact.

Anticipated Outcomes for all Recidivism Reduction grants are to:

1. provide statewide access to services and supports to address the underlying problems with recidivism;
2. utilize community supports to assist DOC in pre-release planning inside of DOC facilities and to support post release reentry plan implementation in coordination with DOC community supervision;
3. protect the public and reduce harm by intervening in self-destructive patterns; and
4. break the cycle of repeat crime by engaging participants in programming, providing access to assistance with basic needs and utilizing state and community collaboration to create beneficial partnerships. 

Projects must meet or exceed anticipated minimum outcomes described in this RFP.

1.03Program Services/Activities

Applicants must agree to adhere to program requirements and service standards, including those specified in the Reentry Case Management Standard Operating Procedures Version 1.1 (attachment A.) Applicants must describe the proposed activities that support the goals and outcomes to be employed in the project.

Applicants must upload a timeline for the initiation of services and project activities, which will begin July 1, 2022.

In addition, applicants must include a sustainability plan for after the grant ends on June 30, 2023.

Applicant proposals must describe the ways in which the project aligns with program intent. The submitted project proposal will identify agency resources available to the project, describe project activities, and clearly state the project’s anticipated goals, outputs, and outcomes.

Applicants agree to comply with the following additional program requirements and service standards:

1. Submit quarterly reporting documents, including relevant data as stipulated by the Department;
2. Track data and/or case management notes using Alaska's Automated Information Management System (AKAIMS);
3. Work with the Department-approved subcontractors for capacity development and direct services implementation and; 
4. Attend case management teleconferences.

1.04Program Evaluation Requirements and Reporting

Results Based Budgeting Framework

Results based budgeting provides a framework in which allocated resources support, and are justified by, a set of outputs and expected results. Within this framework, actual performance and achieved outcomes are measured by objective performance measures.

Projects are required to align with program objectives expressing Department priorities and core services. Projects will use performance measures to evaluate progress toward meaningful outcomes, and to initiate data collection and reporting consistent with Department priorities.

The Department Priorities, Core Services, Objectives, and Performance Measures of Effectiveness and Efficiency for this program are:

Department Priorities

• 1 Health & Wellness Across the Life Span

Department Core Services

• 1.1 Protect and Promote the Health of Alaskans
• 1.2 Provide Quality of Life in a Safe Living Environment for Alaskans

Effectiveness Measures

1. Percent of unduplicated in-reach contacts that are connected to one or all of the following per fiscal year:

• Housing
• Employment
• Treatment

Data collection: total number of unduplicated in-reach contacts that are connected to housing, employment and/or treatment per fiscal year/total number of unduplicated in-reach contacts per fiscal year.

Collection Method: AKAIMS

Target Measure: 90% or more

2. Percentage of reentrants enrolled in Medicaid

Data collection: total number of unduplicated reentrants enrolled in Medicaid/total number of unduplicated reentrants contacted 

Collection Method: AKAIMS

Target Measure: 50% or more

3. Submit the following AKAIMS reports with each quarterly report

• Number of new case management referrals
• Number of new case management participants
• Number of in-reaches that occurred within 90 days prior to release either in-person or telephonically
• Number of participants assisted in accessing mental health services
• Number of participants assisted in accessing substance abuse services
• Number of participants that violated probation or parole while they were enrolled in the program
• Number of participants that were charged with a new crime while they were enrolled in the program
• Number of participants who completed the program
• Number of participants who were involuntarily discharged

Data collection: AKAIMS

Target Measure: 100% (each report is available in AKAIMS)

The applicant's proposed evaluation plan will incorporate the performance measures of effectiveness and efficiency identified above. Applicants can propose additional performance measures for evaluating the project’s progress in achieving results supportive of program goals and outcomes. 

Grant Reporting

Required reporting will include:

1. Cumulative Fiscal Reports recording overall grant and match expenditures by budget line; 
2. Program Reports in the format prescribed by the program; and
3. Submission into AKAIMS of the reports noted above.

1.05Target Population and Service Area

Applicants must clearly describe the population targeted by the project, including the area or communities that will be served. Proposals will be evaluated for compatibility with the program’s intended target population identified in this solicitation.

Target Population: The target population for the solicited services is The target population for the solicited services is individuals who have served more than 30 days of incarceration and are within 90 days of release from a DOC facility and are medium to high-risk felony offenders or high-risk misdemeanant offenders based on DOC's Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) risk assessment. Sex offenders, regardless of LSI-R scores, and individuals identified by Probation Officers who require assistance in the community may not be on probation or parole.

Service Areas and Communities: This project will provide services in Fairbanks. The project is not only intended to work with reentrants from the DOC facility in Fairbanks, but also for reentrants to Fairbanks from DOC facilities around the state of Alaska.

1.06Program Funding

Funds available for this program are anticipated to total $125,000 for one award. 

Match Requirement: The budget must include matching funds equal to 25.00% of the proposed DHSS funds. Calculate required match with the following formula.

Total Requested Grant Award x Required Match Percentage = Required Match

Federal grant funds may not be used to match federal funds awarded through this grant program, and State grant funds may not be used to match State funds awarded through this grant program.

Eligible sources of matching funds include:

• Local Cash: local sources, including local tax receipts, municipal revenue sharing, cash donations
• Local In-Kind:  donated items of value for which the applicant incurs no cost, including volunteer labor and donations of supplies, equipment, space
• Other Sources:  government and non-government grant awards, third party receipts, direct receipts such as gaming or sales of goods
• Grant Income: earnings anticipated as a result of this project proposal receiving award, and Medicaid reimbursements if award of this grant is required for the applicant to bill Medicaid for awarded services
• Medicaid: includes Medicaid which is not Grant Income, as well as other third-party receipts

Proposed Budget: The applicant must submit a budget proposal for the sole fiscal year of the project. The proposed budget detail and narrative, (including required match), will support the program's results-based service delivery and staffing requirements stated in this RFP.

The proposed budget will be fully compliant with the limitations described in this RFP, and those detailed in 7 AAC 78.160 (Costs). Regulations are provided under the GEMS Documents tab.

Resources specific to budgeting are also available under the GEMS Documents tab. DHSS Grant Budget Preparation Guidelines provide information and guidance about budget lines, cost detail groupings, and narrative requirements. Grantee User Manual Part I provides detailed instructions for entering a budget proposal in the chapter "Responding to a Solicitation."

Other Agency Funding: Prior to submitting a proposal, applicants are required to list all other agency funding received and applied for. This task must be completed by an Agency Power User in the Other Funding section of the Agency Administration tab. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.

Indirect Costs: If the proposed budget includes indirect costs, 7 AAC 78.160(p) requires a copy of the agency's current federally approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. The agreement is to be uploaded in the Agency Administration tab. Lapsed agreements can be used if uploaded with the negotiating federal agency's written approval to continue using the rate until a new agreement is negotiated. If an agency has never entered into a federally approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or no longer has a federally approved agreement in place, the recently updated Federal Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 now allows that agency to budget the 10% De Minimis.

Payment for Services/Grant Income: If applicable to the services proposed in response to this solicitation, awarded grantees will have a Medicaid Provider Number or apply to obtain one, and will make reasonable effort to bill all eligible services to Medicaid and any other available sources of payment before seeking grant support for delivery of the proposed services. DHSS funds are the payer of last resort.

In the applicant’s proposed budget, anticipated receipts and expenditures for all grant income must be evident in the detail and narrative. Fiscal reports for awarded income generating projects will include the receipts and expenditure of all grant income.

2.01Agency Experience

Proposal evaluation will include consideration of the applicant’s history of compliance with service and grant requirements, and previous experience in providing the same or similar services. Evaluation may include DHSS site reviews, program audits, and confirmation of the successful resolution of any findings. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.

The applicant must describe previous experience providing services the same or similar to those proposed. The description must clearly identify the time period over which services were provided and the target population served.

2.02Project Staffing

Project staffing must be sufficient to implement the proposed activities in order to meet program goals and the anticipated outcomes.

Resumes, position descriptions and professional credentials for key project personnel must be uploaded as part of the response. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.

This project must include the position of the (1) person that will provide case management. 

Case management duties include: 

• Coordinate pre-release planning efforts including in-reach to DOC institutions up to 90 days prior to inmates' release.
• Collaborate reentry efforts with DOC’s Institutional Probation Officers, field probation offices and Education Coordinators for offenders who meet the Community Re-entry Program criteria.
• Determine the level of services needed for each reentrant by utilizing the LSI-R scores and DOC Offender Management Plan (OMP).
• Create Transition Plans for reentrants for six-months post release.
• Enter data into AKAIMS.
• Develop relationships with community service providers and facilitate referrals of reentrants to providers to meet their needs.
• Provide linkage to wraparound services that will increase the likelihood of a successful return to the community for formerly incarcerated individuals.

2.03Administrative, Management, and Facility Requirements

The applicant must demonstrate the agency's sustainable fiscal and administrative capacity. Executive, administrative, and financial staff must be qualified, as indicated by the resumes of position holders uploaded as an element of the proposal. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.

1. The applicant must ensure procedures are in place to protect client confidentiality compliant with State and federal standards.
2. The applicant must ensure its most recent financial audit was submitted to the appropriate state office (see Audit Requirements below), and any findings identified have been resolved.

Awarded proposers will be required to submit additional agency information if the agency GEMS record is not current.

Audit Requirements:

Federal Requirements: Agencies spending $750,000 or more total Federal Financial Assistance in the agency fiscal year may be required to comply with conditions of the Single Audit Act of 1984, P.L. 98-502, as amended by the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996, P.L. 104-156, and as defined in 2 CFR 200.

State Requirements: Agencies spending $750,000 or more total State Financial Assistance in the agency fiscal year are required to comply with the conditions of 2 AAC 45.010-090. The current regulations may be viewed at the State of Alaska, Department of Law website, Department of Law Document Library, or copies may be obtained from the contact identified on the cover page of the RFP.

Information on State and Federal Single Audit Acts compliance may be obtained from:

State Single Audit Coordinator
Department of Administration
Division of Finance
PO Box 110204
Juneau, AK 99811-0204
Telephone: (907) 465-4666
Fax: (907) 465-2169

DHSS Program Audit Requirements: All DHSS grantees are subject to the requirements of 7 AAC 78.230. If awarded, agencies which are not required to file State Single Audits under 2 AAC 45.010 must ensure a fiscal audit of the agency operations under the grant program is performed by an independent, licensed, certified public accountant at least once every two years and submitted to:

State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Finance and Management Services
Audit Section
PO Box 110602
Juneau, AK  99811-0602
Telephone: (907) 465-3120

Facility, Service Access, and Safety:

1. The applicant must address potential safety concerns for clients and staff in the management of services proposed in response to this RFP.
2. The applicant should describe client accessibility to services and the way in which that will enhance project success.
3. All applicants for DHSS grants should have a written plan for emergency response and recovery that provides for potential safety concerns and the safe evacuation of clients and staff. This plan is mandatory for agencies providing residential and/or critical care services as noted in the State Grant Assurances.

2.04Support/Coordination of Services

Applicants must demonstrate the proposed project has the necessary support and coordination for the successful delivery of services. The proposal must address the following:

1. Community support where services are proposed;
2. Involvement of the public and potential service recipients in the planning process;
3. Partnerships and collaborations specific to the proposed project; and
4. Coordination with necessary referring agencies and the role of each described.

3.01Eligibility

Applicants must be eligible to apply under 7 AAC 78.030 (Eligible Applicants). Eligible applicants are state agencies; political subdivisions of the state such as cities, organized boroughs, and Regional Educational Attendance Areas; nonprofit organizations and consortia of nonprofits; and Alaska Native entities. As follows, eligibility will be verified by Grants and Contracts.

1. Political subdivisions of the state and Regional Educational Attendance Areas will be verified by State records.
2. Eligible nonprofits are listed in the State's database of registered nonprofit entities or the US Internal Revenue Service's register of tax-exempt organizations. Nonprofit subsidiaries of nonprofit corporations must also provide a letter from the parent organization confirming nonprofit status.
3. Alaska Native entities as defined in 7 AAC 78.950(1) must submit, with the application, a legally binding resolution waiving the entity’s sovereign immunity to suit through the duration of the program, identified in RFP Subsection 3.05. The resolution must be authorized in compliance with the tribe’s constitution, either by the tribal council or by majority vote of the tribal membership. The required template is provided at Subsection 4.02, Other Technical Requirements.

Applicants who have had a contract or grant to help produce this RFP are not eligible to apply and any submitted proposal will not be considered.

3.02Acceptance of Terms

By submitting a proposal, an applicant accepts all terms and conditions of this RFP including all identified attachments and guidelines, 7 AAC 78, and any other applicable statutes and regulations. Copies of these may be accessed through the contact person identified on the cover page or through the web address(es) identified in this RFP.

If a grant is awarded, this RFP and the applicant’s proposal become part of the grant agreement. The applicant will be bound by the provisions contained in the awarded proposal unless the Department agrees that specific parts of the proposal are not part of the agreement.

Proposals and other materials submitted in response to this RFP become the property of the State and may be returned only if the State allows. Proposals are public documents and may be inspected or copied by anyone after grants have been awarded.

3.03Inquiries

Applicants should immediately review this RFP for defects and questionable or confusing content. Questions that can be answered by directing the applicant to a specific section in the RFP may be answered verbally by the contact person identified on the RFP cover page. Questions that cannot be answered by directing an applicant to a specific section of the RFP may be declared substantive. The applicant will be directed to submit the question in writing to the contact person at the email address on the cover page no later than the Deadline for Written Inquiries, also identified on the cover page. This will allow issuance of any necessary amendments and/or clarifications to all prospective applicants.

Applicants are responsible for monitoring GEMS or the State’s Online Public Notices website for any clarifications or amendments that may be issued regarding this solicitation.

Proposals will not be accepted after 3:59 PM prevailing local time on the due date identified on the cover page.

3.04Proposal Costs and Content

The Department will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by the applicant prior to the authorized grant performance period. All costs of responding to this RFP are the responsibility of the applicant.

The applicant is responsible for the content of the proposal.

3.05Duration

This RFP is for a one-year period, beginning 7/1/2022 through 6/30/2023. At the discretion of the Department, a project funded under this RFP may be considered for continued funding in subsequent program year(s). The annual decision to continue funding for the subsequent year(s) of the one-year grant cycle is based on the following general conditions:

1. the Department’s judgment that there is a continued need for the grant project service;
2. the grantee’s satisfactory performance during the previous grant year;
3. the availability of sufficient grant program funds, and whether continuation of the financing is consistent with public health and welfare; and
4. the ability of the grantee and the Department to agree on any adjustments in payments or service.

Applicants will submit a budget proposal for year one of the grant only. Funding in each subsequent year will require submission and approval of documents needed to update service plans, evaluation measures, and budgets. Grants and Contracts will notify grantees of specific submission requirements necessary to qualify for consideration of continued funding.

This RFP is for fiscal year FY2023, 7/1/2022 through 6/30/2023.

3.06Proposal Review

Following the deadline for receipt of proposals, no revisions will be accepted unless provided in response to a request from the contact person named in this RFP. Proposals will be reviewed as follows:

1. Proposals will be evaluated in a manner that will avoid disclosure of contents before notices of grant award have been issued.
2. DHSS staff will evaluate each proposal for minimum responsiveness and other technical requirements and eliminate nonresponsive proposals from consideration.
3. Using the criteria set out in this RFP and 7 AAC 78.100 (Criteria for Review of Proposals), DHSS staff will evaluate each responsive proposal. Scores for each criterion will be based solely on the response to the associated question. Points will not be earned if the information was provided in response to another question in Section 4. DHSS staff will also review relevant departmental documentation regarding the applicant. Staff recommendations regarding awards and levels of funding will include consideration of the following:
   1. a history of the applicant’s compliance with grant requirements, to include records of program performance, on-site program reviews, and prior year audits;
   2. priorities in applicable State health and social services plans;
   3. requirements of applicable State and federal statutes; and
   4. municipal ordinances or regulations applicable to the grant program.

If there are multiple responsive proposals for which there is insufficient money to fully fund, or supplementary expertise is deemed necessary to the review of proposed services, the Department may appoint a Proposal Evaluation Committee (PEC) as an additional advisory body. PEC members will initially evaluate proposals, independently of other committee members. As a committee the PEC will meet in a closed session (7 AAC 78.090 Review of Proposals) to further review proposals and develop recommendations. Scores will be assigned based on the applicant's response to each individual question and the associated criteria. Applicants will not earn points for a given question based on a response to another question in the RFP. The PEC review will include discussion of each proposal’s merits. PEC recommendations will rank proposals in priority order and include approval or disapproval for award, modifications to the proposed project, and special compliance conditions.

All staff advisory recommendations and, if applicable, those of the PEC, and all review materials will be submitted for consideration by the Division Director, who will make recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services or the Commissioner’s designee.

3.07Final Decision Authority

Recommendations are advisory only, including those from any PEC that may be held. The final decision to approve or disapprove award, the amount of each award, and whether to impose special conditions or modifications rests with the Commissioner or Commissioner's designee.

NOTE: The final decision may include additional considerations, such as a lack or duplication of services in certain locations, or alternative services that may be available; a critical need for services by vulnerable populations; and matters of health, life and safety. The Department has the responsibility to ensure public monies are utilized in a manner that protects the interests of the people of the State and retains the right to make final awards that ensure responsible distribution of grant funds.

3.08Notification of Grant Award and Appeals

Within fifteen (15) days after the decision regarding grant awards, applicants will be notified of the final funding decisions, and, if awarded, any conditions of award or modifications. Following any necessary negotiations for revisions to the proposed budget and scope of services, successful applicants will be issued a grant agreement. This formal agreement will contain specific performance and reporting requirements consistent with Department policy and procedure and 7 AAC 78.

Per 7 AAC 78.305 (Request for Appeal), an applicant may appeal a final grant award decision. Requests for hearing must be addressed to the Commissioner and received in writing at the address below within 15 days after the applicant receives notification of the decision. The request must contain the reasons for the appeal and must cite the law, regulation, or terms of the grant upon which the appeal is based.

With a copy to the contact identified on the solicitation cover page, send appeal to:

Adam Crum, Commissioner
Department of Health & Social Services
3601 C Street, Suite 902
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5923

3.09Cancellation of the RFP/Termination of Award

Contingent upon funding appropriations and the Governor’s approval, the Department may fund proposals from eligible applicants. DHSS may withdraw this RFP at any time and reserves the right to refrain from making an award when such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the State. Funds awarded for a grant as a result of this RFP may be withheld and the grant terminated by written notice from the State to the grantee at any time for violation by the grantee of any terms or conditions of the grant award, or when such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the State.

4.01Minimum Responsiveness Criterion per 78.100(2)(A)

Proposals that fail to meet the minimum responsiveness requirements below will be eliminated from consideration per 7 AAC 78.090(b)(2).

4.02Other Technical Requirements per 7 AAC 78.060, 78.090(b) and 78.100

Response & Organizational Documentation

4.03History of Compliance with Grant Requirements per 7 AAC 78.100(2)(B)

4.04Questions and Criteria Related to Program Policy, Goals, Outcomes, and Activities

4.05Applicant Qualifications - Criteria Relating to Personnel, Management, and Facilities

4.06Demonstration of Support/Coordination of Service