Universal Assessment Tool

This contract involves the ongoing development and implementation of the Universal Assessment Tool (UAT), formerly known as the Family Advocacy and Support Tool (FAST), for the New York State Office of Children & Family Services. The scope includes providing extensive training and technical assistance to OCFS staff, such as five Train-the-Trainer sessions, curriculum review, and coaching support totaling over 1,200 hours. Additionally, the contractor will facilitate community of practice webinars, coordinate training events, and support workforce certification efforts for up to 1,800 users through TCOMTraining.com. Program evaluation and tailored technical assistance are also key components, ensuring the tool aligns with NYS needs and integrates seamlessly with existing frameworks like CANS NY for the Title IV-E demonstration project and Family First Quality Assurance, emphasizing consistent language and avoiding duplication. The contract is awarded on a sole-source basis to the University of Kentucky Research Foundation, reflecting the unique capability of the awardee to tailor the copyrighted FAST/UAT tool to NYS requirements. The agreement spans four months initially, with options for a two-year extension, covering all counties across New York State. The project emphasizes statewide implementation, with a total contract value estimated between $500,000 and $1,500,000, and is managed by Lindsey Vaval, Contract Management Specialist 2. The contract aims to enhance child and family services through a comprehensive training, technical assistance, and evaluation framework, ensuring the UAT meets state-specific needs while maintaining consistency with existing assessment tools.