Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Respite Services

The Mississippi State Department of Health is seeking qualified entities to establish Service Provider Agreements for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Respite Services. Funded through the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, this initiative aims to expand access to person-centered, non-medical respite care for families in Mississippi, particularly those ineligible for Medicaid waiver programs. Selected providers will deliver short-term supervision, support, and routine non-skilled care within the participant's home or community setting to reduce caregiver burden and improve family stability. The period of performance begins upon execution and continues through September 30, 2027. Applications must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov Procurement portal by May 3, 2027. Evaluation is based on a series of pass/fail gates regarding eligibility and risk of noncompliance, followed by a weighted scoring system focusing on organizational overview, work plan, geographical coverage in rural or underserved regions, and service delivery quality. Reimbursement is set at a standardized rate of $6.24 per 15-minute unit. Providers are required to submit monthly invoices and reports detailing participants served and units delivered, supported by detailed service logs and signatures. Compliance is monitored through invoice reviews, documentation audits, and virtual or in-person monitoring visits by the state.