Fourth Upstate Model Family Representation Office Grant

The New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking to establish a model Family Representation Office (Model Office) in counties outside New York City. This initiative aims to improve legal representation quality for parents involved in child protective proceedings and termination of parental rights cases under Family Court Act Article 10. The Model Office is designed as a client-centered, interdisciplinary "family defense" model involving attorneys, social workers, parent advocates, paralegals, investigators, and experts working collaboratively. This holistic approach addresses both legal and social service needs throughout all stages of the child welfare process, including investigations and court proceedings. The program aligns with ILS’ Standards for Parental Representation in State Intervention Matters and is endorsed by federal and state agencies such as the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the NYS Unified Court System’s Commission on Parental Legal Representation. The overarching goal is to enhance service delivery, improve case outcomes, and support family stability by implementing established best practices in parental legal representation. The solicitation covers a three-year contract period, with proposals due by February 7, 2025, and an anticipated contract start date in April 2025. Eligible applicants include New York State counties outside of New York City, with a broad geographic scope encompassing nearly all upstate and downstate counties except NYC. The contract involves compliance with detailed ILS caseload standards, ethical supervision requirements, and mandates for regular reporting on program operations, case outcomes, and demographic data. Budget submissions must follow the provided Attachment A template, focusing on personnel, consultant, and other service costs, with an emphasis on cost-effectiveness and alignment with program goals. Evaluation of proposals places strong weight on the model of representation, including the interdisciplinary team approach, client intake procedures, stakeholder engagement, and budget justification, totaling 200 possible points. No service-disabled veteran-owned or small business set-asides apply, and no federal acquisition clauses or typical procurement terms are incorporated due to the grant nature of this contract. The RFP also includes various administrative and operational instructions, requiring applicants to demonstrate organizational readiness, cultural competency, specialized legal and social service expertise, and a commitment to providing data for federal Title IV-E funding compliance. Payment will follow state approval processes, and applicants must ensure the proposed program supplements, not supplants, existing local legal service funding. Overall, the contract supports the advancement of innovative, multidisciplinary legal representation models to safeguard parental rights and improve child welfare outcomes in New York State counties outside New