TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT ERIE COUNTY SECURE AND SPECIALIZED SECURE DETENTION

ERIE COUNTY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
TO PROVIDE
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT
ERIE COUNTY SECURE AND SPECIALIZED
SECURE DETENTION
RFP # 2026-032VF
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") # 2026-032VF
TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT ERIE COUNTY SECURE AND
SPECIALIZED SECURE DETENTION
Contents
I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
II. FUNDING AND BUDGET ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
III. PROPOSAL TIMEFRAMES ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
IV. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
V. SCOPE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED .......................................................................................................... 7
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................................... 7
HISTORY AND CONTEXT ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
SCOPE OF WORK ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
COMPENSATION ...........................................................................................................................................................................10
VENDOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................10
PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND DATA COLLECTION..................................................................................................10
VI. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS............................................................................................................................................................11
UNDERSTANDINGS......................................................................................................................................................................11
EVALUATION ..................................................................................................................................................................................12
EVALUATION PROCESS.............................................................................................................................................................12
CONTRACT......................................................................................................................................................................................12
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE ....................................................................................................................................13
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS .....................................................................................................................................13
NON-COLLUSION ..........................................................................................................................................................................14
CONFLICT OF INTEREST ...........................................................................................................................................................14
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS ........................................................................................................................................................14
CONTENTS OF PROPOSAL.......................................................................................................................................................14
EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF PROPOSALS...................................................................................................................................15
ERIE COUNTY EQUAL PAY CERTIFICATION .....................................................................................................................................16
GUIDELINES FOR STANDARD INSURANCE PROVISIONS REQUIRED ....................................................................................17
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................................................................................18
RFP APPENDIX A: Proposal to Provide Service ...................................................................................................................................20
SCHEDULE A .................................................................................................................................................................................................23
RFP APPENDIX B: Fiscal ............................................................................................................................................................................24
RFP APPENDIX C: Supplemental Information .......................................................................................................................................31

I. INTRODUCTION
The County of Erie, New York (the "County") is currently seeking proposals from qualified providers
("Proposer") interested in providing Mental Health Services at Erie County Secure and Specialized Secure
Detention. Erie County Department of Social Services (ECDSS) utilizes a Solutions Focused Principles-
Trauma Informed Care system of care framework into its practices and procedures. Proposers interested
in providing this service 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, and thus, be assured fair and objective treatment
in the ECDSS review and evaluation process. 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 $500,000 is potentially available for the requested mental health services for 2027.
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 2027.
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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: April 13, 2026
RFP Informational Meeting: April 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. via Webex
Join from the meeting link
https://erie.webex.com/erie/j.php?MTID=m018312927a8fc7c205d8b31f33321d79
Join by meeting number
Meeting number (access code): 2493 987 1875
Meeting password: 4mSWpg3E3jm
Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)
+1716-858-2250,,24939871875## United States Toll (Buffalo)
+1-415-655-0003,,24939871875## 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 24939871875@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 April 27, 2026.
Proposals Due: May 13, 2026 by 4:00 p.m.
Selection Made by: October 2026
Contract Signed: Following all necessary County approvals.
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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
* 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 will receive an email confirming if it has been submitted.
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. Note: must be
on 8.5x11 paper, one-sided and no staples.
5. All proposals must be submitted on or before May 13, 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 April 27, 2026. A list of questions and
answers will be posted on the County website by May 1, 2026, if applicable. No communication 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
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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 requested funds.
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.
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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. ECDSS also seeks to embrace and respect individual's
differences and cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment to encourage all individuals with unique
characteristics to contribute to their full potential. 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.
All juveniles at the Erie County Secure and Specialized Secure Detention (ECSSSD) are provided access
to a comprehensive mental health program designed to provide examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
Psychiatric and psychological diagnosis and treatment of detained juveniles is to be available as needed.
A qualified provider of comprehensive mental health services is being sought for services to commence
January 2027 at ECSSSD located at 810 East Ferry Street, Buffalo NY 14211. It is a 24 hour, 64 bed
facility that houses alleged Juvenile Delinquents, Juvenile Offenders and Adolescent Offenders who are
remanded by the Family Court, Youth Court and criminal courts. ECSSSD provides a safe, structured,
restorative justice environment that uses Solution Focused Principles and Trauma Informed Care to embed
collaboration, safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, and choice throughout its services. ECSSD operates
under the oversight of New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and is subject to that
agency's requirements and regulations. In addition, the Specialized Secure Detention pods which house
Adolescent Offenders operate under the additional oversight of State Commission of Corrections (SCOC)
as well as OCFS.
HISTORY AND CONTEXT
Currently, a psychiatrist provides services 10 hours/week and a psychologist provides services for 16
hours/week. There are approximately 50-55 youth onsite at a given time. The average length of stay for
Juvenile Delinquents (JD) is 3-6 months while Adolescent Offenders (AO) and Juvenile Offenders' average
stay is 12-18 months.
SCOPE OF WORK
The facility is seeking a qualified provider to deliver comprehensive, innovative, and youth-centered
psychiatric and mental health services. Proposals should demonstrate the ability to meet the following
expectations:
1. 24/7 Psychiatric Coverage and Care Plan
* Ensure continuous 24/7 psychiatric and mental health coverage through a combination of onsite
presence and on-call availability.
* A qualified psychiatric or mental health professional must be physically present within the facility
Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm with an on-call availability.
* Maintain an effective and clearly defined 24/7 care and crisis response plan. Report any staffing
gaps in real time and provide regular updates on service delivery.
* Ensure immediate in-person availability for youth experiencing acute mental health needs.
* Support continuity of care across all shifts.
* A psychiatrist shall be on site at a minimum one time per week but with sufficient hours weekly
to provide assessments and prescribe medication as needed and monitor all youth on
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psychotropic medication. The psychiatrist shall be available for on-call consultation and triage at
all times.
2. On Call Expectations
* A qualified psychiatric or mental health professional must be available to address mental health
emergencies, safety planning, medication management, clinical evaluation within set
timeframes, and virtual assessments to determine whether a youth can be removed from 1:1
observation when needed.
3. Individualized Mental Health Services
* Screen youth at Intake.
* Prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications and document follow-up and monitoring side
effects.
* Deliver creative, individualized therapeutic services tailored to each youth's clinical, emotional,
and developmental needs.
* Prepare mental health and behavioral reports for court within 48-72 hours.
* Conduct assessments for youth entering the Erie County Secure and Specialized Secure
Detention Center, especially for those who have a documented history of mental health
concerns or prior psychiatric placements in other facilities.
* Complete an in-depth human trafficking assessment with youth who are identified as potential
victims of abuse or exploitation.
* Incorporate treatment approaches responsive to trauma, emotional regulation, and behavioral
challenges.
* Services should be appropriate for the unique population housed within the facility.
* Document discharge planning, including referrals to community-based mental health services.
4. Group-Based and Population-Specific Programming
* Offer interactive and engaging group services weekly focused on:
o Positive well-being
o Positive youth development
o Emotional regulation and coping skills
o Mental health education
* Groups should be designed specifically for the facility population and may include:
o Reducing the recidivism rate and creating a plan for dealing with real world stress
o Use Evidence based models, for youth in detention and/or incarceration
o Group services should be hands-on and participatory rather than lecture based
5. Hands-On Presence Within Living Units
* Clinical staff should:
o Conduct assessments and counsel youth in a private setting
o Assist youth with in-the-moment regulation and problem-solving as needed
6. Life Skills and Creative Therapeutic Modalities
* Incorporate real-life coping and self-regulation skill development, including but not limited to:
o Creative expression therapies
o Mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques
o Other expressive or alternative therapeutic modalities
o Services should introduce youth to healthy and practical methods of managing mental
and emotional well-being
7. Staff Consultation, Training, and Support
* Provide ongoing consultation and guidance to:
o Juvenile Justice Counselor (JJC) staff
o Youth Detention Worker (YDW) staff
* Support staff through:
o Mental health-informed care strategies
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o Trauma-responsive approaches
o Behavioral intervention guidance
8. Training
* Provide training for support staff on mental health/developmental disorders, medication
management and side effects, etc.
9. Crisis Response and On-Unit Intervention
* Follow up to mental health crises.
* Provide:
o therapeutic intervention with youth.
o Assist staff in stabilizing mental health emergencies and supporting youth through acute
episodes.
10. Collaborative and Integrated Service Delivery
* Work collaboratively with facility staff to ensure:
o Coordinated care
o Consistent therapeutic approaches
o Alignment between clinical services and daily programming
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
* Comply with present and future local, state and federal rules and regulations, including but not
limited to, those of the New York State Office of Mental Health, Office of Alcohol and Substance
Abuse Services, Office of People with Developmental Disabilities, State Commission of Corrections
and Office of Children and Family Services.
* Use culturally sensitive practices, trauma-informed principles, and solution focused techniques
when working with ECDSS clients, incorporating the five principles of collaboration, safety,
trustworthiness, empowerment, and choice throughout services to promote resilience and healing.
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.
* Stay abreast of any legislation or regulatory requirements relevant to professional accreditation and
practice.
* Conduct a criminal history check for all prospective employees/volunteers as a condition of
employment and at minimum yearly subsequently.
* Verify the credentials and licensing of staff and employees as contained in county, state, and
federal requirements.
* Maintain regular communication with ECDSS in a timely manner.
* Adhere to documentation standards as set forth by Federal and State regulation, as well as ECDSS
policies.
* Abide by Federal and State confidentiality statutes and regulations.
* 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.
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* 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: Hour
* Funding source: local and state funding
* Reimbursement method: Pay for performance model - Monthly invoicing with supporting
documentation required
VENDOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
* Trained in Solution Focused principles and Trauma Informed Care.
* 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.
* Provide a board-certified, licensed psychiatrist, preferably board-certified in child and adolescent
psychiatry available for consultation, including tele-psychiatry. The psychiatrist shall be licensed to
practice medicine in accordance with New York State Law.
* Credentials and licensing of staff and employees as contained in county, state, and federal
requirements.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND DATA COLLECTION
* Data and benchmarks to be tracked by vendor:
o Compliance rates of appropriate follow-up assessments conducted for those identified as
needing additional support.
o Number of individual and group therapeutic services conducted, youth participation, and
overall engagement.
o Weekly reports of group programming of established curriculum, outlining topics discussed,
skills taught, attendance, and observations related to youth engagement.
o Youth feedback measures, including brief surveys to assess the effectiveness and impact of
both individual therapy and group sessions.
o Clinical outcomes, including reductions in behavioral incidents, restraints, and mental health
crises, along with progress toward individualized treatment goals.
o Compliance with completing reports for court within 48 to 72 hours.
o Data on treatment plan compliance, crisis interventions, medication management, staffing
coverage, and overall clinical outcomes to ensure transparency and accountability within the
psychiatric services provided.
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