The Florida Department of Children and Families, Family Safety Program is seeking information about a qualified training program offered by a college or university for the purpose of:

1. Increasing the number of applicants with bachelor € s degrees in social work for child welfare positions with the Department in Circuits 3 & 8. Circuit 3 encompasses Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties. Circuit 8 encompasses Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties.

2. Increasing knowledge and improving casework skills of the Department of Children and Families Child Protective Investigative staff through field-based training/ shadowing in the areas of family dynamics, child development, case analysis, interviewing, case planning, case management, child abuse prevention/ family preservation techniques, supervisor skills development and community organization.

Special knowledge, skill or capability: The provider must have be able to develop new Child Protective Investigators by providing field training for social work interns from local university or college social work programs. A Field Unit Supervisor must provide intern supervision, conduct on-site in-service instruction and arrange and coordinate quality educational training programs for employees of the Department. Clinical case consultation must be available upon request.

Per Chapter 2005-222, Laws of Florida: State colleges and universities are defined as any public post secondary institution in the state that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Also, per Chapter 2005-222, the followings restrictions apply to the purchase of services from colleges or universities.

€ The principal investigator must be a tenured member of the faculty (or comparable status)

€ If the college or university intends to subcontract for any part of the work, they must use competitive procurement procedures to select the subcontractor.

€ Colleges or universities must perform at least 51% of the work required (not subcontractors).

Indirect costs are subject to the provisions set forth in Chapter 2005-358, Laws of Florida,

Colleges and Universities interested in performing the services listed above are encouraged to submit their responses immediately, but no later than May 16, 2008 by 10:00 am. Responses shall be submitted by mail, delivery service, e-mail or fax to the contact person listed below.

NOTE: The Department will review Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) for informational purposes only. Responses will not be considered as offers to be accepted by the Department to form a binding contract. Advertisement of any subsequent competitive solicitation that may result from this RFI will be posted on the Florida Vendor Bid System. Note: Any resulting contract for this service will be required to use a cost reimbursement method of payment.

Please direct all questions to:

Cecelia Knopick, Contract Manager Telephone: (352) 955-5069

Department of Children and Families Fax: (352) 955-5163

Circuits 3 & 8

P.O. Box 390 (IO #03)

Gainesville, Florida 32602-0390

EMAIL: Cece_Knopick@dcf.state.fl.us