RFP 1127 Foster/Adoptive Parent Certification and Approval Process Software

The New York State (NYS) Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has released this request for proposals (RFP) to solicit competitive applications from qualified applicants to develop, provide, and maintain a cloud-based software application and web portal to streamline and simplify the foster/adoptive parent certification and approval processes. The software application must allow prospective foster/adoptive parents the option to create their own user accounts to access, complete, and update their applications and documents securely via computers, tablets, and/or smartphones. The proposed software solution must comply with NYS security policies, standards, and any other relevant security frameworks identified by OCFS. The software system must function as a complementary module to the current state child welfare information system and have a functional interface with the CONNECTIONS (CONX) data warehouse. CONX is the child welfare system of record for NYS.

The software must support and conform with applicable NYS statutory, regulatory, and policy standards for the certification and approval of foster and adoptive parents. The proposed software interface with CONX must follow the federal Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems (CCWIS) regulations, which may be viewed at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/im-20-03 . Additionally, the software system must comply with 45 CFR 95.617 Software and Ownership Rights, which can be found at eCFR link at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-95/subpart-F/subject-group-ECFR8ea7e78ba47a262/section-95.617 , and if applicable and directed by OCFS, may be required to submit commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) waiver request. Refer to RFP Section 2.1. Executive Overview.

OCFS seeks proposals for a cloud-based application software and web platform to be utilized to identify steps in the foster/adoption certification and approval process that would help prospective foster/adoptive parents complete and submit paperwork online and would provide administrators with a dashboard to track the progress and status of the foster/adoptive parent application. As a state-supervised county-administered system, the recruitment, certification/approval, and direct oversight of foster and adoptive homes is the responsibility of 58 county local departments of social services (LDSSs), New York City, the Saint Regis Mohawk Reservation and multiple voluntary authorized agencies (VAs). NYS provides the laws, regulations, and policies by which LDSSs and VAs must adhere for the certification and approval process. OCFS provides monitoring and oversight of LDSS and VA practices and supports them with guidance and technical assistance as needed.

It is the goal that the software system alleviates the administrative burden of LDSSs and VAs and will allow administrators more time to address complex child welfare needs and require less time on paperwork and redundant data entry. Additionally, the successful software system will simplify the application process for prospective foster and/or adoptive parents to either become certified or approved or maintain their certification or approval. The software system must also be able to provide reports based on program requirements per OCFS request.

Please see the RFP document located in the "Documents" tab for additional information and submission requirements.