TO PROVIDE SUPERVISION SUPPORT AND INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH

ERIE COUNTY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
TO PROVIDE SUPERVISION SUPPORT AND
INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR JUSTICE-
INVOLVED YOUTH
RFP # 2026-034VF
Erie County Department of Social Services
EDWARD A. RATH COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING
95 FRANKLIN STREET
BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202

COUNTY OF ERIE, NEW YORK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ("RFP") # 2026-034VF
TO PROVIDE SUPERVISION SUPPORT AND INTERVENTION
SERVICES FOR JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH
Contents
I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
II. FUNDING AND BUDGET ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
III. PROPOSAL TIMEFRAMES ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
IV. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
V. SCOPE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED .......................................................................................................... 6
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
HISTORY AND CONTEXT.................................................................................................................................................................... 6
SCOPE OF WORK.................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:.............................................................................................................................................................. 7
COMPENSATION.................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
VENDOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS.......................................................................................................................... 7
PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND DATA COLLECTION .......................................................................................................... 7
VI. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS.............................................................................................................................................................. 8
UNDERSTANDINGS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
EVALUATION ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
EVALUATION PROCESS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
CONTRACT ................................................................................................................................................................................................10
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE...............................................................................................................................................10
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS................................................................................................................................................10
NON-COLLUSION.....................................................................................................................................................................................11
CONFLICT OF INTEREST......................................................................................................................................................................11
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS ...................................................................................................................................................................11
CONTENTS OF PROPOSAL .................................................................................................................................................................11
EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF PROPOSALS .............................................................................................................................................12
ERIE COUNTY EQUAL PAY CERTIFICATION .....................................................................................................................................13
GUIDELINES FOR STANDARD INSURANCE PROVISIONS REQUIRED ....................................................................................14
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................................................................................15
RFP APPENDIX A: Proposal to Provide Service ...................................................................................................................................17
SCHEDULE A .................................................................................................................................................................................................21
RFP APPENDIX B: Fiscal ............................................................................................................................................................................22
RFP APPENDIX C: Supplemental Information .......................................................................................................................................29

I. INTRODUCTION
The County of Erie, New York (the "County") is currently seeking proposals from qualified agencies with a
local presence ("Proposer") interested in providing supervision support and intervention services for justice-
involved youth for Erie County Department of Social Services (ECDSS). ECDSS utilizes a Solutions
Focused Principles - Trauma Informed Care system of care framework into its practices and procedures.
Proposers interested in providing these services are invited to respond to this request.
In responding to this RFP, Proposers must follow the prescribed format as outlined. By so doing, each
Proposer will be providing the ECDSS comparable data submitted by other Proposers, and thus, be
assured a fair and objective treatment in the ECDSS review and evaluation process as it is the ECDSS'
intent to select the Proposer that provides the best solution for the ECDSS' needs.
The County reserves the right to amend this RFP, reject any or all of the proposals, or any part thereof,
submitted in response to this RFP, and reserves the right to waive any irregularities or informalities, if such
action is deemed to be in the best interest of the County. The County reserves the right to request
additional information from any Proposer, and to award negotiated contracts to one or more Proposers.
This RFP is not intended and shall not be construed to commit the County to pay any costs incurred in
connection with any proposal or to procure or contract with any firm.
The County will only contract with firms that do not discriminate against employees or applicants for
employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual
orientation, citizenship status or any other status protected by New York State and Federal laws.
II. FUNDING AND BUDGET
A total of $250,00 is potentially available for the requested advocate and mentoring services.
The award is subject to annual contract renewal, contingent upon the Proposer's successful performance
of project objectives and the continued need and desire for such services as articulated by Erie County
DSS. Initial award and renewals are subject to inclusion of funding in the County Executive
Recommended Budget and as adopted by the Erie County Legislature, as well as, contingent upon
availability of New York State funds appropriated for this purpose. All contract appropriations are subject to
Legislative approval.
Future awards will be dependent on available funds and subject to the demonstrated fiscal and
programmatic stability of the applicant agency, as well as their meeting all of the Erie County Department
of Social Services requirements. More than one provider may be selected for funding for 2026.
III. PROPOSAL TIMEFRAMES
The following schedule is for informational purposes only. The County reserves the right to amend this
schedule at any time.
Issue RFP: May 11, 2026
RFP Informational Meeting: May 19, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. via Webex
Join from the meeting link
https://erie.webex.com/erie/j.php?MTID=m8c16c4724ba711b703bf68b3e4e10de3
Join by meeting number

Meeting number (access code): 2499 530 0912
Meeting password: pXcYzPdp853
Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)
+1716-858-2250,,24995300912## United States Toll (Buffalo)
+1-415-655-0003,,24995300912## United States Toll
Join by phone
+1 716-858-2250 United States Toll (Buffalo)
+1-415-655-0003 United States Toll
Global call-in numbers
Join from a video system or application
Dial 24995300912@webex.com
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
Register for the Informational Meeting by contacting:
Carrie Godfrey@erie.gov by May 18, 2026.
Proposals Due: June 11, 2026 by 4:00 p.m.
Selection Made by: Following review of proposals.
Contract Signed: Following all necessary County approvals.
IV. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Each proposal shall be prepared simply and economically, avoiding the use of elaborate promotional
materials beyond what is sufficient to provide a complete, accurate and reliable presentation.
2. Your proposal must be comprised of 3 sections:
Appendix A
* Proposal to Provide Service
* Signed Schedule A
* For agencies not currently contracted with ECDSS to provide the requested service:
References and data from similar work
* Appendix B
* Signed Fiscal Form
* Budget Forms
Appendix C
* Most recent Audit report prepared by an independent CPA
* Most recent Management Letter
* Listing of Officers and Board of Directors
Failure to follow the prescribed format for responses may result in disqualification.
3. Proposals MUST be signed using the attached Schedule A: Proposer Certification. Unsigned
proposals will be rejected.
4. Submission of the proposals shall be uploaded as three separate documents (Appendix A, B and C) to:
OnBase Unity Form. You may see an error at the end of the submission. You will receive an email
confirming if it has been submitted.

5. If unable to upload the proposal, a printed submission may be submitted to: Erie County Department of
Social Services, Attn: Carrie Godfrey, 95 Franklin Street Room 804, Buffalo, NY 14202.
All proposals must be submitted on or before June 11, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Regardless of cause, proposals
received after the above date and time will not be considered. Requests for extension will not be granted.
The County is under no obligation to return proposals.
6. Requests for clarification of this RFP must be written and submitted to Carrie Godfrey at the above
address, or at Carrie.Godfrey@erie.gov no later than 4:00 pm on May 18, 2026. A list of questions and
answers will be posted on the County website by May 22, 2026, if applicable. No communications of
any kind will be binding against the county, except for the formal written responses to any request for
clarification.
7. Proposers may be required to give an oral presentation to the County to clarify or elaborate on the
written proposal. Those Proposers will be notified to arrange specific times.
8. No proposal will be accepted from nor any agreement awarded to any Proposer that is in arrears upon
any debt or in default of any obligation owed to the County. Additionally, no agreement will be awarded
to any Proposer that has failed to satisfactorily perform pursuant to any prior agreement with the
County.
9. Information on the Standard Insurance Provisions required of agencies selected as a contractor of this
service is included in this RFP. This document is for informational purposes only and is not to be
submitted by the Proposer for the purposes of this RFP.
10. All potential contract-holders with Erie County shall agree to comply with Executive Order 13 (2014),
and the Agency shall make such records available, upon request, to the County's Division of Equal
Employment Opportunity for review. (A copy of Executive Order 13 is available here: Executive Order
13). All contract holders will be required to sign the Erie County Equal Pay Certification (attached). The
County shall have the right, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times, to inspect the books and
records of the Agency, its offices and facilities, for the purpose of verifying information supplied in the
Erie County Equal Pay Certification and for any other purpose reasonably related to confirming the
Agency's compliance with Erie County Executive Order No. 13 (2014). Violation of the provisions of
Executive Order 13 (2014), which is attached hereto and made a part hereto and made a part hereof,
can constitute grounds for the immediate termination of a contract, and may constitute grounds for
determining that a bidder is not qualified to participate in future county contracts.
11. All potential contract-holders with Erie County shall agree that administrative costs may not exceed
15% of the total Direct Service Program Budget.
12. Certified Minority Business Enterprise/ Women's Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) proposers shall
include the Erie County MBE/WBE Certification letter with their proposal.
13. A business that is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) under the New York
State Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act shall include the letter indicating their company is
51% or more veteran-owned with their proposal.
14. All proposers must disclose the name, title, and department of any employee or officer who is or was an
employee or officer of Erie County within the 12 months immediately prior to the proposal.
15. If requested, proposers must provide a list of at least three references from community partners and
collaborators or an individual with knowledge of and experience with the specific services being offered.
16. All proposers must provide a list of all prime contractors and subcontractors that their agency does
business with related to the service in this RFP.
17. All proposers must include the name of their Language Access Coordinator. A copy of your Language
Access Policy is required at contracting.
18. All proposers must include the name of their Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. A copy
of a written ADA policy is required at contracting.

V. SCOPE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED
INTRODUCTION
Erie County Department of Social Services is an outcomes-based organization. All contracted services are
required to support the Department's mission to engage people in need and provide a broad range of
efficient and effective assistance and services with community partners to facilitate a brighter future for
the people of Erie County. As a trauma-informed agency, ECDSS recognizes the impact of trauma and
incorporates principles of collaboration, safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, and choice throughout its
services to promote resilience and healing. Any proposer chosen to partner with ECDSS in service
provision must demonstrate their alignment with these principles in their overall project design, and in all
aspects of its implementation.
The Erie County Department of Social Services, in conjunction with the Erie County Probation Department,
seeks qualified community-based service providers to deliver supervision support, intervention, and
stabilization services to justice-involved youth effective as soon as possible. Services shall be evidence-
based, developmentally appropriate, and designed to reduce detention, prevent recidivism, and promote
positive youth and family outcomes.
Providers shall deliver programming that includes, but is not limited to, restorative justice practices,
structured youth interventions, mentoring, family and parent engagement and support, educational
advocacy, and coordination with behavioral health and community-based resources. Services must be
responsive to the assessed risk and needs of each youth and support diversion from deeper system
involvement where appropriate. Resources of evidence and outcome-based services can be found at
OCFS Effective Practice, California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare and Federal
Candidacy for Foster Care | Title IV-E | OCFS. Quality mentoring relationships help young people access
opportunities and offer support and guidance as they navigate life challenges.
Respondents must demonstrate experience serving high-risk youth populations, organizational capacity to
deliver services countywide as required, cultural competence, and full compliance with applicable county,
state, and federal laws and regulations. Providers shall collect and report performance and outcome data
as required by the Department of Social Services and the Probation Department to support monitoring,
evaluation, and accountability.
HISTORY AND CONTEXT
This is a new service for 2026. This funding will support enhancing youth justice alternatives and diversion
programs and services within Social Services and the Probation Department. This funding is intended to
establish or expand programs and services for justice system-involved youth that effectively intervene in
their lives to reduce criminal behavior and provide structured opportunities to promote positive
development. These opportunities may include but are not limited to personal and professional skill
building, support to navigate and connect to education or employment, mentorship, trauma-informed
therapies, and other resources that help young people avoid further involvement in the justice system and
help change their thinking and behavior.
SCOPE OF WORK
Provide structured, strength-based services to keep children/youth engaged in services, develop individual
strengths, and support academic and personal success. One-to-one services are to be provided by trained
and credentialed advocates qualified to work with children and their families based on their specialized
training. Services shall be based on the individual needs and preferences of the child/family and may be
provided through individual and group face-to-face opportunities in various settings (e.g. family's home,
community, office, telephone or Skype contacts, etc.). Services may include scheduled outings to build
certain skills or competencies, use of cognitive therapy to improve the child/youth's sense of self and their
ability to mentally overcome setbacks and provide connection with resources and new networks. The goal

of mentorship is to provide a sense of belonging for the child and increase positive academic, personal and
professional achievements.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
* Use culturally sensitive practices, trauma-informed principles, and solution focused trauma-
informed care techniques when working with ECDSS clients.
Resources:
o Trauma-Informed Care Resources Guide
o How to Implement Trauma-informed Care to Build Resilience to Childhood Trauma
* Promote equitable opportunities for the underserved and foster a supportive environment for all,
regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, physical abilities, neurodivergence,
socioeconomic class, etc.
* Provide culturally appropriate services to individuals with special needs, i.e. disabilities, language
and cultural barriers, etc., including language translation services, which can be included in
budgeted direct operating costs.
* Manage and retain a skilled and appropriately educated workforce.
* Verify the credentials and licensing of staff and employees in accordance with county, state, and
federal requirements, including but not limited to fingerprinting, SCR, criminal history.
* Maintain regular communication with ECDSS in a timely manner.
* Adhere to documentation standards in accordance with Federal and State regulation, as well as
ECDSS policies.
* Abide by Federal and State confidentiality statutes and regulations, including but not limited to
HIPAA, FERPA, or NYS Mental Hygiene Law, where applicable.
* Retain case files in accordance with Federal, State and Local laws and regulations.
* Provide staff training and internal quality assurance audits on a regular basis (Program area should
specify if there is a mandated amount.)
* Manage funds from a government funding source and maintain billing systems.
* Submit required data and abide by designated documentation regulations in a timely manner, as
instructed, by County to claim reimbursement for services.
COMPENSATION
* Unit of service: child/family served
* Funding source: New York State Division of Criminal Justice and FFFS
* Reimbursement method: Monthly (Pay for performance model - monthly invoicing with supporting
documentation required, flat rate, fee for service) - attach appropriate budget forms. Ex: Payments
will consist of an advance of 25 percent of the contracted amount. The remaining 75 percent of the
allocation will be paid as claims are submitted to substantiate payment.
VENDOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
* Provide a Solution Focused Trauma Informed Care environment incorporating the five principles of
collaboration, safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, and choice throughout services to promote
resilience and healing.
* Ensure policies, practices, systems, and structures improve outcomes for everyone, prioritizing
measurable change in the lives of people of color to eliminate racial disparities and promote racial
equity.
* Demonstrate knowledge, experience and understanding of the needs, risks, challenges and
opportunities faced by the target population, as well as demonstrate experience in effectively
implementing programs that promote positive client outcomes.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND DATA COLLECTION
* Data and benchmarks to be tracked by the Contracts Administrator - Human Services, with report
form and fiscal monitoring sheet to be provided by:

Michael Shea
95 Franklin Street Room 1280
Buffalo, New York 14202
VI. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS
UNDERSTANDINGS
Please take notice, by submission of a proposal in response to this request for proposals, the Proposer
agrees to and understands:
* that any proposal, attachments, additional information, etc. submitted pursuant to this Request for
Proposals constitute merely a suggestion to negotiate with the County and is not a bid under
Section 103 of the New York State General Municipal Law;
* submission of a proposal, attachments, and additional information shall not entitle the Proposer to
enter into an agreement with the County for the required services;
* by submitting a proposal, the Proposer agrees and understands that the County is not obligated to
respond to the proposal, nor is it legally bound in any manner whatsoever by submission of same;
* that any and all counter-proposals, negotiations or any communications received by a proposing
entity, its officers, employees or agents from the County, its elected officials, officers, employees or
agents, shall not be binding against the County, its elected officials, officers, employees or agents
unless and until a formal written agreement for the services sought by this RFP is duly executed by
both parties and approved by the Erie County Legislature and the Office of the Erie County
Attorney.
In addition to the foregoing, by submitting a proposal, the Proposer also understands and agrees that the
County reserves the right, and may at its sole discretion, to exercise the following rights and options with
respect to this Request for Proposals:
* To reject any or all proposals;
* To issue amendments to this RFP;
* To issue additional solicitations for proposals;
* To waive any irregularities or informalities in proposals received after notification to Proposers
affected;
* To select any proposal as the basis for negotiations of a contract, and to negotiate with one or more
of the Proposers for amendments or other modifications to their proposals;
* To conduct investigations with respect to the qualifications of each Proposer;
* To exercise its discretion and apply its judgment with respect to any aspect of this RFP, the
evaluation of proposals, and the negotiations and award of any contract;
* To enter into an agreement for only portions (or not to enter into an agreement for any) of the
services contemplated by the proposals with one or more of the Proposers;
* To select the proposal that best satisfies the interests of the County and not necessarily on the
basis of price or any other single factor;
* To interview the Proposer(s);
* To request or obtain additional information the County deems necessary to determine the ability of
the Proposer;
* To modify dates;
* All proposals prepared in response to this RFP are at the sole expense of the Proposer, and with
the express understanding that there will be no claim, whatsoever, for reimbursement from the
County for the expenses of preparation. The County assumes no responsibility or liability of any
kind for costs incurred in the preparation or submission of any proposal;
* While this is an RFP and not a bid, the County reserves the right to apply the case law under
General Municipal Law 103 regarding bidder responsibility in determining whether a Proposer is a
responsible vendor for the purpose of this RFP process;

* The County is not responsible for any internal or external delivery delays, which may cause any
proposal to arrive beyond the stated deadline. To be considered, proposals MUST arrive at the
place specified herein and be time-stamped before the deadline.
EVALUATION
The following criteria, not necessarily listed in order of importance, will be used to review the proposals.
The County reserves the right to weigh its evaluation criteria in any manner it deems appropriate:
* A determination that the Proposer has submitted a complete and responsive proposal as required
by this RFP.
* Proposers MUST sign the Proposal Certification attached hereto as Schedule "A". Unsigned
proposals will be rejected.
* The Proposer's demonstrated capability to provide the services.
* Evaluation of the professional qualifications and experience of program staff.
* The Proposer's experience in performing the proposed services.
* The Proposer's financial ability to provide the services.
* Evaluation of the Proposer's fee submission. It should be noted that while price is not the only
consideration, it is an important one.
* An evaluation of the Proposer's projected approach and plans to meet the requirements of this
RFP.
* Proposers may be required to give an oral presentation to the County to clarify or elaborate on the
written proposal. Any information shared by the Proposer's presentation will be considered while
scoring.
* No proposal will be accepted from nor any agreement awarded to any Proposer that is in arrears
upon any debt or in default of any obligation owed to the County. Additionally, no agreement will be
awarded to any Proposer that has failed to satisfactorily perform pursuant to any prior agreement
with the County.
EVALUATION PROCESS
Each proposal will undergo an initial administrative review for completeness. For a proposal to be
evaluated, it must include all required documents. Upon completion of the administrative review, and at the
sole discretion of the Commissioner, the Department will request any missing documentation from the
Proposer and will review all documents for completeness upon receipt of the missing documents. All
required documents for a complete proposal, as set forth in this RFP, must be submitted and be completed
to the satisfaction of the Department within forty-eight (48) hours of request for the proposal to be deemed
responsive and eligible for Contract award.
Complete proposals will be judged by a scoring committee. The scoring committee will consist of
Department of Social Services employees and experienced individuals from outside the Department. The
proposal should be written so as to clearly articulate the services provided to someone not familiar with
service delivery.
The proposals will be scored based on the overall proposal, population and goals, program plan,
performance measurement, trauma informed, program staffing, accessibility plans, infrastructure,
collaboration, experience, MWBE/SDVOB participation, compliance with RFP requirements and fiscal
components.

CONTRACT
After selection of the successful Proposer, a formal written contract will be prepared by the County and will
not be binding until signed by both parties and, if necessary, approved by the Erie County Legislature, the
Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority and the Office of the County Attorney. NO RIGHTS SHALL ACCRUE
TO ANY PROPOSER BY THE FACT THAT A PROPOSAL HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE COUNTY
FOR SUBMISSION TO THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE AND/OR IF NECESSARY THE ERIE
COUNTY FISCAL STABILITY AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL. THE APPROVAL OF SAID LEGISLATURE
AND/OR AUTHORITY MAY BE NECESSARY BEFORE A VALID AND BINDING CONTRACT MAY BE
EXECUTED BY THE COUNTY.
The contract will include the submitted proposal and any subsequent agreement with the Department to
service provision. The award period will be for a one-year term, with the option to renew for additional
terms, subject to annual contract renewal, contingent upon the Proposer's successful implementation of the
program, data collection, monitoring, goal attainment, and compliance with required reporting. Initial award
and renewals are subject to inclusion of funding in the County Executive Recommended Budget and as
adopted by the Erie County Legislature, as well as, contingent upon availability of New York State funds
appropriated for this purpose.
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
The Proposer accepts and agrees that language in the following form will be included in the contract
between the Proposer and the County:
"In addition to, and not in limitation of the insurance requirements contained herein the Proposer
agrees:
(a) that except for the amount, if any, of damage contributed to, caused by or resulting from the
negligence of the County, the Proposer shall indemnify and hold harmless the County, its officers,
employees and agents from and against any and all liability, damage, claims, demands, costs,
judgments, fees, attorneys' fees or loss arising directly or indirectly out of the acts or omissions
hereunder by the Proposer or third parties under the direction or control of the Proposer; and
(b) to provide defense for and defend, at its sole expense, any and all claims, demands or causes
of action directly or indirectly arising out of this Agreement and to bear all other costs and
expenses related thereto.
Upon execution of any contract between the Proposer and the County, the Proposer will be
required to provide proof of the applicable insurance coverage.
Insurance coverage in amount and form shall not be deemed acceptable until approved by the County
Attorney.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
The Proposer accepts and agrees that language in substantially the following form will be included in the
contract between the Proposer and the County:
All deliverables created under this Agreement by the Proposer are to be considered "works
made for hire". If any of the deliverables do not qualify as "works made for hire", the Proposer
hereby assigns to the County all right, title and interest (including ownership of copyright) in
such deliverables and such assignment allows the County to obtain in its name copyrights,
registrations and similar protections which may be available. The Proposer agrees to assist the
County, if required, in perfecting these rights. The Proposer shall provide the County with at
least one copy of each deliverable.