ILS announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals from New York State counties outside of New York City to establish a model Family Representation Office ( Model Office ) to provide legal representation to parents1 in child protective proceedings under New York Family Court Act Article 10 and termination of parental rights proceedings ( state intervention cases ). The intent of this Request for Proposals ( RFP ) is to improve the quality of legal services provided to parents in Family Court matters under County Law Article 18-B by establishing a Model Office that will implement standards and best practices in state intervention cases as established in ILS' Standards for Parental Representation in State Intervention Matters.
In accordance with the ILS Parental Representation Standards, the defining feature of the Model Office will be client-centered and interdisciplinary representation that addresses both the legal and social service issues confronting parents impacted by the child welfare system at all critical stages of their interaction with the system, including the child welfare investigation stage. This family defense model, in which attorneys, social workers, parent advocates, paralegals, investigators, and experts work as a team, is deemed a best practices approach by the Children's Bureau of the United States Health and Human Services Department and the American Bar Association, and it was endorsed by the NYS Unified Court System's Commission on Parental Legal Representation Parent Representation Commission ).
Implementation of this Model Office is designed to improve the overall quality of parent
representation in the grantee county, and thus, outcomes for families impacted by the child welfare system.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Set Aside: No
Due date: Questions Due By Tuesday, December 31, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET
Contract term: Three Year Contract
County(ies): Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westchester, Wyoming, Yates
Location: Only New York State counties, other than counties within New York City, are eligible to apply
Business entities awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years:
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Background
The New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to establish a Model Family Representation Office aimed at providing legal representation to parents involved in child protective proceedings under the New York Family Court Act.
The goal of this initiative is to enhance the quality of legal services for parents facing state intervention cases, thereby improving outcomes for families affected by the child welfare system. This Model Office will adhere to ILS’ Standards for Parental Representation, focusing on client-centered and interdisciplinary representation.
Work Details
The Model Family Representation Office will provide comprehensive legal representation to parents in child protective proceedings and termination of parental rights cases.
The office will implement best practices as defined by ILS, which include:
1. Establishing a team-based approach involving attorneys, social workers, parent advocates, paralegals, investigators, and experts.
2. Addressing both legal and social service issues at all critical stages of interaction with the child welfare system, including during investigations.
3. Following the standards set forth by the Children’s Bureau and endorsed by the NYS Unified Court System’s Commission on Parental Legal Representation.
Period of Performance
The contract will be executed over a three-year term.
Place of Performance
The services will be provided in various counties across New York State, excluding those within New York City.
