BACKGROUND
Obtaining permanent families for children in the custody of the Department of Human Services (DHS) is a high priority. The DHS/DCFS Adoption Program helps children become members of adoptive families that can meet the unique needs of each child. There are currently a large number of children in DHS custody who are available for adoption and this has created a demand for more adoptive homes, especially for children age ten and older who have special needs. To meet the demand for more adoptive homes, DHS/DCFS needs private agencies to help DHS/DCFS evaluate prospective adoptive families.
There is no minimum usage guaranteed by this Contract. Historically, from 01/01/2013 to 12/31/2015, requests for pre-placement home studies totaled 27, including interstate requests. DHS expects the usage of this Contract to fluctuate month to month and year to year during the term of the Contract.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
The purpose of the Contract is to provide pre-placement home studies, and provide post-placement family evaluations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE POPULATION TO BE SERVED The population is Clients referred from DHS/DCFS who are:
- Kinship or non-kinship caregivers of child(ren) in DHS custody applying to adopt; and/or
- Prospective adoptive parents who desire to adopt child(ren) in the custody of DHS/DCFS.
CONTRACTOR’S QUALIFICATIONS
The Contractor shall:
- Have and maintain a current Child Placing Agency License issued through the DHS/Office of Licensing (DHS/OL) for the entire contract period. The Contractor shall ensure this license shall remain in good standing without any sanctions for the entire contract period.
- Have a minimum of five years of experience conducting pre and post home studies for adoption.
- Have a minimum of five years of full time experience as an adoption professional and experience in placing child(ren) and youth who are six through 17 years old.
CONTRACT PAYMENTS
Payment to the Contractor shall be based on this Contract’s applicable rate(s) and the applicable contracted service(s) provided. To receive payment for the contracted services, the Contractor shall submit an invoice to the DHS/DCFS Regional Contract Coordinator. The Contractor shall maintain service records that adequately support all billings submitted.