Helping Hands New York (HHNY) Collaborative

This is a Request for Information (RFI) seeking support for children and families. All vendors who might be interested in performing this work are encouraged to respond.

OCFS is leading the effort to implement new initiatives throughout the state aimed at giving families access to tangible goods, commodities and resources without the need for the involvement of child protective services whenever possible. Helping Hands New York (HHNY), a primary prevention program, aligns with this OCFS commitment. Similar prevention programs exist in over 30 states across the nation.

On December 8, 2021, New York State adopted new state regulations (18 NYCRR Part 444) to establish an HHNY program, subject to OCFS approval and monitoring. The intent of the HHNY program is to provide support to families outside of the child welfare system for a temporary period during a time of crisis, such as homelessness, unemployment, medical emergency, etc. HHNY, which is operated by an OCFS-approved HHNY agency(ies), assists parents with the arrangement of temporary care of their child(ren) in an HHNY home.

Recognizing the profound importance of community, OCFS is looking to develop a learning collaborative with not-for-profit/community-based organizations who are interested in becoming a HHNY agency. The learning collaborative will provide an opportunity for OCFS to bring together non-profit/community-based organizations who have not traditionally partnered with New York State. The goal of the learning collaborative is to expand partnerships to organizations that are deeply imbedded in the community and represent the diverse strengths and needs of its members. Our goal is to develop capacity across the state and widen the applicant pool to be reflective of the communities we hope HHNY programs will serve. OCFS anticipates accepting two applicants from each of the six OCFS Regions (map attached): NYC, Westchester; Albany; Syracuse; Rochester; Buffalo. There will be twelve organizations selected in total. Tribal Nations are strongly encouraged to respond.

Further information about the HHFNY program can be found at the following website: https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/policies/external/2022/adm/22-OCFS-ADM-21.pdf . Not-for-profit, community-based organizations, and Tribal Nations interested in joining the learning collaborative are asked to contact OCFS via email at HelpingHands.LearningCollaborative@ocfs.ny.gov by December 20, 2022.

Please refer to the RFI document on the "Documents" tab for additional information.