Companion Care Services

The City of Norfolk (the “City”) Department of Human Services (DHS) seeks qualified vendors to provide Companion Services for residents sixty (60) years of age or older, or any person eighteen (18) years of age or older who is incapacitated and needs assistance as part of home-based care. These services are intended to support individuals in remaining in the least restrictive setting or environment and functioning as independently as possible in their own homes. The City anticipates multiple contract awards to qualified offerors, each for a five (5) year term.

Adult Protective Services (APS) program goals are to:

• Protect older adults and incapacitated adults from abuse, neglect, or exploitation;
• Prevent the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of older adults and incapacitated adults;
• Prevent inappropriate institutionalization of elderly and impaired adults;
• Assist when necessary, with appropriate placement; and
• Maximize self-sufficiency.

DHS seeks to reduce the number of adults placed in long-term care facilities by utilizing Companion Services in accordance with federal and state regulatory and policy requirements. These services allow adults to remain in the least restrictive setting and to function as independently as possible in their own homes by establishing or strengthening family and social support systems or by supporting the adult in self-determination.

Provision of APS services to eligible adults occurs when APS receives and investigates a valid report alleging abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a person age sixty (60) or older, or any person eighteen (18) or older who is incapacitated. The investigation, completed by an APS Family Services Worker (FSW), determines the person’s need for services. Individuals may also qualify for services following APS intervention when ongoing support is needed but the adult is no longer at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Additionally, a qualifying adult may request services without APS involvement.

The Virginia Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI) is a standardized, multi-dimensional questionnaire that assesses an adult’s social, physical health, mental health, and functional abilities. The UAI is used by FSWs to determine care needs, service eligibility, and to plan and monitor services purchased by DHS.

Services are provided based on available funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City. The City anticipates paying for services for approximately one hundred (100) seniors and adults with disabilities per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). The City does not guarantee any minimum or maximum amount of work under the agreement resulting from this solicitation.