OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES

820 Mililani Street, Suite 817

Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

January 8, 2008

PUBLIC NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

No. RFI-HMS-503-08-06

For

KONA Safe house group home

The Department of Human Services, Office of Youth Services (OYS) requests information, comments, and feedback from interested service providers, schools, community-based organizations, other public entities and private organizations, consortia of these agencies, community members, and/or concerned individuals that will assist OYS in developing the Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure programming services for at-risk youth in a safe, temporary, and staff-intensive group home setting to be implemented within the geographical region of Hawaii County West (Kona) by the target date of August 1, 2008.

The short-term goal is to create a community-based residential program for the target population of youth ages 13-17, in need of a residential placement more structured than that of a traditional group home, but less restrictive than a correctional setting, to serve as a resource for the Department of Human Services (DHS), OYS, the Child Welfare Services Branch (CWSB), and family court for youth in need of temporary out-of-home placement. The program will provide structured daily supervision in a safe and temporary living environment in which youth are able to increase their resiliency and reduce their risk factors to such an extent that they are able to safely return to a more permanent living situation. Services will assist youth by increasing their decision-making, social, and independent living skills, and by increasing their commitment to learning and education as important factors in their lives. Clinical services will be provided by other contractors and facilitated by the Safe House. The long-term goal is to provide genuine rehabilitation to youth enhancing factors that contribute to successful productive lives and reducing risk factors such as teen pregnancy, high-school drop-outs, delinquency, placements in the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), homelessness and other undesired outcomes.

In addition to basic housing, the project will require delivery of the following services: provision of A Safe Place, Screening and Orientation, Insurance of Equal Access to Programs and Services, Risk and Needs Assessment, Youth Safety and Supervision, On-Site Education, Recreation, Cognitive Behavioral or Similar Approach, Life Skills Building (social skills, independent living skills, Positive Peer Relationships, Leisure Time, Case Management, Relapse Prevention, Referral to Appropriate Resources, Participation in Meetings with OYS, CWS and DHS, Follow-Up Services, Meals, Transportation, Maintenance Services, Repairs,Utilities, and Reporting Significant Client Incidents.

The contract period shall be for 2 years, with the possibility of up to two two-year extensions. Total amount of funding is approximately $1,150,000.00 for the initial two year contract.

A session for interested persons to provide feedback to OYS is scheduled for the following location, date and time.

West Hawaii

Captain Cook (Kona) State Civic Center

Conference Center

82-6130 Mamalahoa Highway, Bldg. #3

Thursday, January 24, 2008

1:00 3:00 p.m.

OYS will appreciate the receipt of all written comments, suggestions, and other feedback for consideration for the scope of work and RFP requirements by fax, mail or email by Thursday, January 31, 2008.

Contact Person: Kaleve Tufono-Iosefa

Office of Youth Services

820 Mililani Street, Suite 817

Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

EMAIL: ktufono-iosefa@dhs.hawaii.gov

PHONE: (808) 586-5668

FAX: (808) 587-5734

Participation in this RFI process is optional and is not required in order to respond to any subsequent procurement by OYS. Neither OYS nor any interested party responding to this RFI has any obligation under the RFI. OYS may engage in further informal discussions to gather additional information and recommendations to assist in developing the RFP. Please call Kaleve Tufono-Iosefa at (808) 585-5668 with questions regarding this RFI.

PNS: January 8, 2008