Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division

Buyer seeks consultation and facilitation services to support stakeholders in developing a systemic approach to Vermont's high-end system of care. The consultant will evaluate the current state and recommend improvements based on national research, subject matter expertise, and stakeholder feedback. Services include facilitating discussions with multiple stakeholders to ensure youth receive appropriate care at the least restrictive level. The work focuses on four critical areas: secure stabilization, secure treatment, community-based stabilization, and psychiatric residential treatment.

• 5/5/2025 - Questions Due
• 5/12/2025 - Department Response to Questions
• 5/23/2025 - Proposal Due Date
• 10/1/2025 - Contract Start Date

• Experience providing facilitation services across multiple stakeholders with varying priorities
• Experience advising on evidence-based approaches supporting youth rehabilitation
• Knowledge of ethnic, racial, and religious disparities in youth programs
• Knowledge of youth justice systems and mental health court systems

• Evaluate Vermont's high-end system of care and provide recommendations
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings with diverse groups including youth justice councils
• Organize neutral stakeholder focus groups with anonymous feedback options
• Develop recommendations for youth step-down processes between levels of care
• Design seamless treatment modalities across the system
• Define escalating criteria for maintaining youth in current care environments
• Analyze right-sizing using data to determine beds and supervision needed
• Create system that keeps youth engaged with families and support systems
• Develop clear system oversight, regulation, and accountability processes
• Administer stakeholder satisfaction surveys to gauge engagement and improvements