Subcontracting Opportunity: Coordinated Entry Pre-Screening and Public Access Platform Development (Chicago, IL)

The Chicagoland area has adopted a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandated process of creating a standardized, accessible, transparent path to housing for households facing homelessness called Coordinated Entry. The work of coordinating entry into housing for prioritized populations includes identifying and assessing the target population, people facing literal homelessness and 18-24 year olds who are unstably housed.

Coordinated Entry systems must also be affirmatively marketed throughout the community and provide a clear path to accessing services. CSH, the lead agency for Chicago’s CE system and on behalf of regional partners in suburban cook county, are seeking a technology partner to develop a text-based and web-based pre-screening tool that is easily accessible that results in linkages to access shelter, a Coordinated Entry Access Point for a full assessment, homelessness prevention and shelter-diversion supports. CSH seeks this product to be created by May 2018.

Planned activities:

  1. Develop pre-screening tool with CSH based on eligibility criteria for Coordinated Entry, homelessness prevention and diversion supports, and additional community based resources
  2. Administer pre-screening tool via web and text
  3. Share data reports with CSH including all aggregate data collected

 

Expected Outcomes, Milestones, and Deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Create a pre-screening tool to appropriately refer households to available resources and Coordinated Entry Access Points based on the eligibility logic built into the tool within 6 months of the contract date to be administered to any person in the geographic target area.

Deliverable 2: Administration of the pre-screening tool

Deliverable 3: Share monthly reports of all aggregate data collected with CSH starting after the first month of launching the pre-screening tool

Funding Available:

An amount not to exceed $50,000 is available for this project.

Application Process and Vendor Requirements:

To apply for this opportunity email Brett Penner at brett.penner@csh.org on or before April 6, 2018.

Applications received before the deadline will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated successful performance of substantially similar work
  • Relevant project work
  • Experience and expertise
  • Proposal and description of platform, timeline to delivering including the final product and testing period
  • Years of relevant experience
  • Rate reasonableness and overall cost of services
  • Special consideration will be given to small, disadvantaged, minority or women-owned businesses

Please note that CSH requires subcontractors, including individuals and sole proprietors, to carry workers' compensation insurance while performing work under a CSH subcontract.  CSH subcontractors cannot have existing, pending or expired debarments that preclude them from doing business with the United States government and cannot have convictions for, nor have any pending indictments for, fraud or a criminal offense in connection with a public contract or subcontract.

Subcontracting Opportunity: Analysis and modeling to make recommendations and inform strategic planning

Description:
CSH is seeking a subcontractor to provide expertise in analysis and strategic planning related to hospital funding for housing-related services, rental subsidies, tenancy supports, and/or infrastructure investments for high need individuals experiencing homelessness.  The subcontractor will provide expertise and document review to inform strategic planning, governance, and financial modeling for a Chicago and Cook County Flexible Housing Pool (FHP).  A new fund is being created that will include combined public and private funding for rental subsidies and housing tenancy supports.  The subcontractor/vendor will provide expertise to inform the FHP Planning Leadership Team on issues pertaining to potential hospital investment in the fund.

The work will include informing the financial models the FHP leadership team is creating as well as making recommendations and providing guidance on governance structure and program agreements.

Planned activities:

  1. Attend FHP meetings per an agreed upon schedule.
  2. Provide strategic guidance to inform governance, financial modeling, and program agreements of FHP.
  3. Create documents or tools, gather data, and compile information as needed in order to complete the deliverables outlined below.

Expected Outcomes, Milestones, and Deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Review financial modeling products, model MCO contract, and provide guidance specific to potential concerns and interests from health plans that would be potential investors. Prepare a summary report or document that includes the recommendations, potential barriers, and opportunity areas specific to health plan investment in a new FHP.

Deliverable 2: Create a document or product summarizing key opportunities and benefits of health plans offering housing tenancy supports as a covered benefit should the 1115 waiver not be approved or in the case health plans expand coverage for additional individuals/populations not eligible through the 1115 waiver.

Deliverable 3: Create a sell sheet or terms of participation that could be a takeaway for health plants, ensuing linkage to the Illinois MCO contracts.

Funding Available:
An amount not to exceed $2750 is available for this project in calendar year 2018. Through the contracting process, specific tasks and dates for deliverables will be identified and agreed upon.

Application Process and Vendor Requirements:
To apply for this opportunity email a letter with relevant information to Julie Nelson indicating your interest and qualifications at Julie.nelson@csh.org by 5 pm, January 8, 2018.  Applicants may apply for both subcontracting opportunities related to the Flexible Housing Pool.  Upon review of all vendor applications, CSH will meet with the best qualified vendor in order to provide additional information.  The selected vendor will then have the opportunity to submit a formal proposal for the scope of work.

Applications may be submitted in any format the respondent chooses to use.  Applications received before the deadline will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated successful performance of substantially similar work
  • Relevant project work specific to supportive housing and Medicaid Managed Care
  • Experience and expertise specific to Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, specifically MCOs or MCCNs
  • Experience and capacity to act as a liaison and convene key health plan and HFS managed care leadership
  • Years of relevant experience
  • Rate reasonableness and overall cost of services
  • Special consideration will be given to small, disadvantaged, minority or women-owned businesses

Please note that CSH requires subcontractors, including individuals and sole proprietors, to carry workers' compensation insurance while performing work under a CSH subcontract.  If you have questions regarding this requirement, please contact Julie Nelson.  CSH subcontractors cannot have existing, pending or expired debarments that preclude them from doing business with the United States government and cannot have convictions for, nor have any pending indictments for, fraud or a criminal offense in connection with a public contract or subcontract.

Subcontracting Opportunity: Analysis and modeling to make recommendations and inform strategic planning

Description:
CSH is seeking a subcontractor to provide expertise in analysis and strategic planning related to Medicaid Managed Care Organization funding for housing-related services, rental subsidies, tenancy supports, and/or infrastructure investments for high need individuals experiencing homelessness.  The subcontractor will provide expertise and document review to inform strategic planning, governance, and financial modeling for a Chicago and Cook County Flexible Housing Pool (FHP).  A new fund is being created that will include combined public and private funding for rental subsidies and housing tenancy supports.  The subcontractor will provide expertise to inform the FHP Planning Leadership Team on issues pertaining to potential health plan investment in the fund.

The work will include informing the financial models the FHP leadership team is creating as well as making recommendations and providing guidance on governance structure and program agreements.

Planned activities:

  1. Attend FHP meetings per an agreed upon schedule.
  2. Provide strategic guidance to inform governance, financial modeling, and program agreements of FHP.
  3. Create documents or tools, gather data, and compile information as needed in order to complete the deliverables outlined below.

 

 

 

Deliverable 1: Review financial modeling products and provide guidance specific to potential concerns, opportunities, and interests of hospitals that would be potential investors.

Deliverable 2: Prepare a summary report or document that includes the recommendations, potential barriers, and opportunity areas specific to hospital investment in a new FHP.

 

Deliverable 3: Create a sell sheet or terms of participation that could be a takeaway for health plants, ensuing linkage to the Illinois MCO contracts.

Funding Available:
An amount not to exceed $2750 is available for this project in calendar year 2018. Through the contracting process, specific tasks and dates for deliverables will be identified and agreed upon.

Application Process and Vendor Requirements:
To apply for this opportunity email Julie Nelson indicating your interest and qualifications at Julie.nelson@csh.org by 5 pm, December 19th.  Applicants may apply for both subcontracting opportunities related to the Flexible Housing Pool. Upon review of vendor applications, CSH will meet with the selected and best qualified vendor in order to provide additional information.  The selected vendor will then have the opportunity to submit a formal proposal for the scope of work.

Applications may be submitted in any format the respondent chooses to use.  Applications received before the deadline will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated successful performance of substantially similar work
  • Relevant project work specific to housing as a health care intervention or hospital collaborations and partnerships addressing social determinants of health.
  • Experience and expertise in population health and/or inappropriate hospital utilization due to homelessness or unstable housing and the resulting financial and outcome impacts on hospitals
  • Experience and expertise specific to hospital community benefits
  • Experience and capacity to act as a liaison and convene key Chicago and Cook County hospital leadership, including membership associations
  • Years of relevant experience
  • Rate reasonableness and overall cost of services
  • Special consideration will be given to small, disadvantaged, minority or women-owned businesses

Please note that CSH requires subcontractors, including individuals and sole proprietors, to carry workers' compensation insurance while performing work under a CSH subcontract.  If you have questions regarding this requirement, please contact Julie Nelson.  CSH subcontractors cannot have existing, pending or expired debarments that preclude them from doing business with the United States government and cannot have convictions for, nor have any pending indictments for, fraud or a criminal offense in connection with a public contract or subcontract.

Subcontracting Opportunity: Coordinated Entry System Housing System Navigation for Households Experiencing Homelessness (Illinois)

Description
CSH is seeking subcontractors to provide support to households experiencing homelessness in need of coordinated entry system (CES) navigation support.  Specifically CSH is seeking agencies that have demonstrated experience and ability to work with Veterans, families with children, and people experiencing chronic homelessness with a range of disabilities. Subcontractors provide direct services to households that have been assessed with a coordinated entry standardized housing assessment and matched to a permanent housing provider.   The Housing System Navigators (HSN) will work collaboratively with the CES lead entities and partners to implement strategies to improve the housing placements for vulnerable households Funding is provided by the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services.

Planned Activities

  1. Search for and engage households who have been assessed and received a housing match through CES;
  2. Provide support to households in meeting housing provider requirements, inclusive of attending housing intake meetings, attainment of homelessness and/or disability documentation; and,
  3. Provide feedback to CES lead entities regarding the process of housing vulnerable households and system improvements that should be addressed.

Expected Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Provide system navigation activities to households experiencing homelessness with a housing match. These households will either be facing chronic homelessness, have at least one child as part of the family, or both, including Veterans.

Deliverable 2: Participate in system integration team meetings and work collaboratively with initiative partners.

Deliverable 3: Maintain and report data on through HMIS on system navigation activities.

Deliverable 4: Complete standardized housing assessments when needed.

Funding Available

A total of $326,209 is available for Housing System Navigation for one year contracts. Agencies may include expenses for travel, equipment, and direct client support.  Subcontractors will bill CSH at an hourly rate, not to exceed $125/hour.  No increment above cost can be included in the hourly rate provided to CSH and the hourly rate must be consistent with the best (lowest) customary rate that has been negotiated with other clients.  Selected subcontractors will be required to provide evidence of past compensation consistent with the rate provided to CSH.

Application Process and Vendor Requirements

  • Agencies will need the capacity to enter and receive information from Chicago’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Training to selected agencies will be provided.
  • No more than three agencies will be selected.
  • Housing System Navigation projects may be subject to annual or bi-annual appropriation
  • Agency compliance certification and proposal submission requirements

Please submit a minimum of two-page and no more than five page application outlining the information below. The application will be due by 12/26 at 5:00 PM CST. Applications received before the deadline will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated successful performance of substantially similar work
  • Relevant project work
  • Experience and expertise
  • Years of relevant experience
  • Rate reasonableness and overall cost of services

Please note that CSH requires subcontractors, including individuals and sole proprietors, to carry workers' compensation insurance while performing work under a CSH subcontract. CSH subcontractors cannot have existing, pending or expired debarments that preclude them from doing business with the United States government and cannot have convictions for, nor have any pending indictments for, fraud or a criminal offense in connection with a public contract or subcontract.

Does Illinois Like Supportive Housing? Yes!

Ever wonder what those in supportive housing truly think of it?

CSH, as the contracted entity, has been granted permission by The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health to post a report codifying nine separate Focus Forums held in Illinois with persons who have been given a chance to leave Nursing Facilities (NF), Institutes for Mental Diseases (IMDs) and Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRF’s) for their own apartments with access to mental health support teams as needed. These Forums, opened to every William’s Class Member, provided an outlet to talk about their experiences and how supportive housing works for them. (The William’s Consent Decree is an Olmstead class action lawsuit requiring the state to offer additional residential alternatives to an institution.)

The group of residents that attended the meetings talked about how much better their lives are now than when they were in institutions. They enjoy their new-found freedom; a better selection of food they can choose; a chance at employment or college; and the ability to live like everyone else.

The Forums were held as far north as Zion and as far south as Peoria, close to their homes, service providers, and the peer run drop-in centers that are central meeting places for those that live in apartments scattered nearby. Residents often use these centers as meeting places when they need to or want to check in.

The Focus Forums were offered as another opportunity for residents to discuss how their more independent living is working for them. An extensive written survey to all residents is still being compiled and will be released soon.

At several sites, staff and residents used the Focus Forums as a chance to get together and have snacks, and celebrate what is a model program for the nation.

Find the Focus Forums report here, inclusive of photographs of Class Members, staff support and CSH facilitators.

Reports from prior years can be accessed by clicking the links below:

2018 Report

2017 Report

2016 Report

2015 Report

2014 Report

2013 Report

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SpeakUp! Graduate Brenda Shares Her Powerful Story

Brenda proudly worked as a realtor in Chicago and the Western Suburbs for eleven years. During that time she helped many first-time buyers find the home of their dreams and enjoyed helping people make decisions that were good for them and their families.

In 2006, she felt overwhelmed and Brenda walked away from everything she knew, including her housing, and began sleeping on commuter trains as she drifted toward greater uncertainty in her life. While on the train, a police officer noticed her and brought Brenda to Madden Mental Health Hospital where she was engaged by an outreach worker from Thresholds. The staff member asked what she needed and Brenda shared that she hoped for housing and an income since she had lost everything. After a short stay at Madden, Brenda moved into a transitional housing program and three months later into a supportive housing apartment operated by Thresholds in Rowan Trees Apartments.

CSH SpeakUp! Advocate Brenda

While in Rowan Trees, Brenda participated in a support group and worked with a counselor on a self-guided path towards recovery. She tells it this way, “it was very helpful to have someone to talk to about what happened to me, and to process these events for myself and with the caring of others.”

Brenda explains that “Thresholds was supportive in every way. I may not have enough money in my pocket to financially help others though I want to help by fundraising for resources for people facing homelessness.”

One area of great importance to Brenda is changing the public perception regarding homelessness. “I want people to know that when someone is experiencing homelessness, something happened in their life that lead to this," she said. "It is not because they are lazy; some kind of tragedy or trauma often leads to homelessness.”

In 2012 Brenda moved on from supportive housing and currently lives in another affordable unit on the West Side, not far from where she grew up. She recently graduated from CSHSpeakUp! and now tells her story as an advocate for more supportive housing, and to help others not feel alone in their struggles.

Brenda is an inspiration to all who meet her, and CSH salutes her for her courage in sharing such a powerful story of recovery.

 

New Class of Speak Up Graduate in Illinois

After seven months of building their advocacy and storytelling skills, the newest Speak Up class celebrated their graduation ceremony in Illinois on Saturday. Six individuals who have all experienced homelessness and are now thriving in supportive housing flexed their new skills at graduation, each sharing their personal stories of transformation.

From attending numerous advocacy events and monthly training sessions to meeting with their storytelling coaches, the graduates have put in an immense amount of time to become effective advocates for supportive housing.

After a lot of applause, laughter, and speeches of gratitude from coaches, the event culminated with a networking opportunity for advocates with representatives from several local advocacy organizations. Our advocates have already been asked to share their lived experience at upcoming events in the community. 

CSH is  incredibly proud of all the advocates and thankful for everyone who has contributed to making Speak Up so successful in Illinois and Los Angeles.

Subcontracting Opportunity: Document Translation Services

Description:
CSH is seeking a subcontractor for document, form, and PowerPoint translation services from English to Spanish. Subcontractors will need ability to translate into other languages as needed.  Subcontractors who are certified with CMS' Business Enterprise Program (BEP) are encouraged to apply. Examples of documents for translation can be found at www.csh.org/chicagoces.

Vendor Responsibilities:

  1. Ensure any questions are brought to CSH contact person for clarification.
  2. Ensure all translation is complete, accurate, and consistent for agreed upon documents. If errors are discovered by CSH, the subcontractor will be responsible for correcting all errors and any costs incurred through correcting errors.

 

Expected Outcomes, Milestones, and Deliverables:
Deliverable 1: Complete and accurate translation of provided documents within an agreed upon timeframe.  Documents will include, but are not limited to, assessments, informational handouts, flyers, instructions, forms, or marketing materials. All content for translation will be related to supportive housing and /or coordinated entry for persons experiencing homelessness or living in nursing homes.  Project proposals must include hourly or page rates and information on expected timeframes for completion of translation services and return of final translated document.

Funding Available:
An amount not to exceed $21,000 is available for this project.

Application Process and Vendor Requirements:
To apply for this opportunity email Brett Penner indicating your interest at brett.penner@csh.org by 5 pm, Friday August 11, 2017.

Applications received before the deadline will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated successful performance of substantially similar work
  • Relevant project work
  • Experience and expertise
  • Years of relevant experience
  • Rate reasonableness and overall cost of services
  • Special consideration will be given to small, disadvantaged, minority or women-owned businesses

Please note that CSH requires subcontractors, including individuals and sole proprietors, to carry workers' compensation insurance while performing work under a CSH subcontract.  CSH subcontractors cannot have existing, pending or expired debarments that preclude them from doing business with the United States government and cannot have convictions for, nor have any pending indictments for, fraud or a criminal offense in connection with a public contract or subcontract.

PhilHaven Opens in Illinois!

CSH staff, along with several local officials and financing partners, joined together on July 26 to celebrate the opening of PhilHaven, a new 50-unit supportive housing development located in Wheeling, Illinois. 

The three-story building comprises 57,174-square-feet of living space. The first floor features the property’s on-site management offices and a variety of community spaces such as a lounge with an adjacent kitchen, technology center, exercise room, reading nook and a bike storage room. In all, the building consists of private apartments configured in one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts and complete with contemporary fixtures and finishes.

Financing for PhilHaven was provided by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, National Equity Fund Inc., Village Bank & Trust, Wintrust Financial, Cook County, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and CSH.

CSH provided a $1,950,000 acquisition and predevelopment loan for PhilHaven. Proceeds from these monies were used to fund acquisition of the project site and predevelopment costs related to the new construction.

 

PhilHaven's residents will benefit from supportive services, including access to behavioral and mental health counseling and programs.

PhilHaven has been under development since 2011 and received hundreds of applications from families before the wait list was closed. It is now fully occupied.

Subcontracting Opportunity: Coordinated Entry System Housing System Navigation for Households Experiencing Homelessness

Description

CSH is seeking subcontractors to provide support to households experiencing homelessness in need of coordinated entry system (CES) navigation support.  Specifically CSH is seeking agencies that have specialty with families with children and agencies that focus on people experiencing chronic homelessness with a range of disabilities. Subcontractors provide direct services to households that have been assessed with a coordinated entry standardized housing assessment and matched to a permanent housing provider.   The Housing System Navigators (HSN) will work collaboratively with the CES lead entities and partners to implement strategies to improve the housing placements for vulnerable households Funding is provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Supportive Services Only grant program and through City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services.

Planned Activities

  1. Search for and engage households who have been assessed and received a housing match through CES;
  2. Provide support to households in meeting housing provider requirements, inclusive of attending housing intake meetings, attainment of homelessness and/or disability documentation; and,
  3. Provide feedback to CES lead entities regarding the process of housing vulnerable households and system improvements that should be addressed.

 

Expected Deliverables

 Deliverable 1: Provide system navigation activities to households experiencing homelessness with a housing match. These households will either be facing chronic homelessness, have at least one child as part of the family, or both.

Deliverable 2: Participate in system integration team meetings and work collaboratively with initiative partners.

Deliverable 3: Maintain and report data on through HMIS on system navigation activities.

Funding Available

A total of $229,000 is available for Housing System Navigation for families and $82,000 is available for Housing System Navigation for people facing chronic homelessness for one year contracts. Agencies may include expenses for travel, equipment, and direct client support.  Subcontractors will bill CSH at an hourly rate, not to exceed $125/hour.  No increment above cost can be included in the hourly rate provided to CSH and the hourly rate must be consistent with the best (lowest) customary rate that has been negotiated with other clients.  Selected subcontractors will be required to provide evidence of past compensation consistent with the rate provided to CSH.

Application Process and Vendor Requirements

  • Agencies will need the capacity to enter and receive information from Chicago’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Training to selected agencies will be provided.
  • No more than three agencies will be selected.
  • Housing System Navigation projects are available to be renewed as a sub-recipient of CSH in future funding applications through HUD or DFSS.
  • Agency compliance certification and proposal submission requirements
  • Subcontract Rate Sheet

CSH will hold a Q&A session about this subcontracting opportunity on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 1:00 pm. The session will be held at CSH - 205 W. Randolph, 23rd Floor; Chicago, IL 60606.

The application will be due by June 23, 2017 at 5:00 PM CST. Applications received before the deadline will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated successful performance of substantially similar work
  • Relevant project work
  • Experience and expertise
  • Years of relevant experience
  • Rate reasonableness and overall cost of services

Please note that CSH requires subcontractors, including individuals and sole proprietors, to carry workers' compensation insurance while performing work under a CSH subcontract. CSH subcontractors cannot have existing, pending or expired debarments that preclude them from doing business with the United States government and cannot have convictions for, nor have any pending indictments for, fraud or a criminal offense in connection with a public contract or subcontract.

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