Request for Proposal – Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach

  1. Overview

Texas CASA is looking to contract with three individuals who will provide coaching and consultation to CASA and CPS programs involved in Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) (aka Family Finding) with the overall goal of being able to increase capacity and implement CFE in the assigned areas.

This contract opportunity will require extensive travel throughout the contracted area and Central Texas (Austin), as well as potential travel elsewhere in the state, at a rate of approximately 75% of total contract time. Ideally, a minimum of 3-5 days a month will be spent at/with each local program that the contractor is supporting, but may be more at times depending on the needs of the program. Hours a week likely needed to dedicate to this contract are flexible and will depend on the needs of the program and will include some evening work/availability.

  1. Scope
  • Coaching:CFE team members, consultation, fidelity to model, formulation, alignment, team action plan, use of CFE tools
  • Training: assist with CFE tools training, deliver genogram and other trainings as needed
  • Educate community:presentations to stakeholders, conferences, participate on panels
  • Family Meeting facilitation: coordination;co-facilitation of meeting; develop biggest unmet needs statement, plans, and establish/strengthen network
  • Data collection: assist and gather data for UT as requested
  1. Locations

Three CFE Coaches will support CASA programs/locations working/situated in:

1. One coach at approximately 20 hours a week, supporting CASA of the Coastal Bend (Nueces county) and CASA of Hidalgo County.

2. One coach at approximately 20 hours a week, supportingChild Advocates of Fort Bend, Child Advocates of Montgomery County and CASA of Liberty/Chambers County.

3. One coach at approximately 40 hours a week, supportingCASA of Johnson County, CASA of Hood & Somervell Counties, CASA-Hope for Children (Parker and Palo Pinto counties), and CASA of Tarrant County.

D. Contract Summary

The Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach will work collaboratively with the CFE Manager, CPS caseworkers and their supervisors, local CASA program staff and advocates, and potentially children, youth and families receiving CPS services to ensure fidelity of the CFE model, which is Texas’ model of Family Finding. The CFE Coach will provide hands on support to identified CFE pilot sites as assigned (CFE pilot site includes the local CASA program and CPS) who are involved in the CFE Initiative by coaching them through the CFE model and the corresponding tools. The CFE Coach may also be involved in the ongoing development of the CFE model, including community and stakeholder education and data collection and analysis.

  1. Deliverables and Duties

Coaching, Mentoring and Support to local CASA & CPS programs as assigned on CFE:

  • Understands, applies and is able to coach others on the principles, concepts, stages and tools of the Collaborative Family Engagement Model, built from Kevin Campbell’s Family Finding model, which may include:
  • File mining
  • Formulation and alignment activities
  • Online and database research/searches
  • Creation of genograms using GenoPro software
  • Engagement of relatives and others with natural connection to the child applying sensitivity, openness and respect
  • Use of connection tools
  • Facilitation/co-facilitation of CFE’s family meetings, which may also include supporting co-ordination of the family meeting.
  • Attends CFE Team Meetings, post removal staffings, CPS staffing meetings, and other case related meetings as required.
  • Works collaboratively with CPS, CASA, families, caregivers and community members.
  • Provides clinical consultation for CFE cases.
  • Ensure youth are involved in the CFE process as is age appropriate.
  • Maintain accurate and complete files for each case coaching on.
  • Works collaboratively with CFE Manager, other CFE Coaches and other Texas CASA team members.
  • Participates in monthly CFE networking teleconferences.

CFE Ongoing Development:

  • Meet monthly in Austin with the CFE Manager and other CFE Coaches.
  • Seek guidance/consultation/support from CFE Manager on a regular basis; involve CFE Manager in cases as needed.
  • Participate with the local program’s community partners in the development of program strategies.
  • Assist with program evaluation efforts and report program data to community partners and others as requested.
  • Support efforts to embed CFE into day-to-day practice throughout CPS & CASA, even on cases not currently assigned to CFE.
  • Prepare, conduct and/or participate in presentations to CPS staff, CASA staff/volunteers, and community partners in group settings as requested.
  • Attend, participate, develop and/or deliver CFE trainings, as requested.
  • Assist in data collection and analysis regarding CFE, as requested.
  • Apply findings from research and practice on CFE best practices as shared and learned.

Contractor Development:

  • Complete Family Finding/CFE training as scheduled.
  • Attends trainings related to CFE, family finding, family engagement, permanency, trauma informed care and others as necessary.
  • Maintain a general understanding of current information and conditions relative to CASA, trauma informed care, child abuse/neglect and emerging strategies around family connections and engagement.
  • Receive consultation from Family Finding experts.
  1. Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's or higher level degree in Social Work/Human Services or a closely related field; and working experience with child protection, CASA and CFE/Family Finding. Experience in coaching/mentoring others as well as facilitation will be given priority. Background check required.

Additionally, must have:

  • Knowledge, understanding and acceptance of Family Finding or CFE philosophies and practices.
  • Combination of experience and demonstrated interest in helping children and youth maintain or gain contact with relatives.
  • Demonstrated competence in the skill areas of positive client engagement and communication.
  • Experience working with children, youth and demonstrated understanding of permanency, trauma informed care, unmet needs, and the issues youth potentially face as they are in foster care and/or are connected to family members.
  • Ability to facilitate groups of people into action.
  • Ability to motivate and inspire and illicit change behavior.
  • Strong clinical and coaching skills.
  • Leadership skills and ability to work autonomously.
  • Demonstrated ability and comfort in public speaking.
  • Experience in facilitating family group meetings.
  • Demonstrated competence, reliability, and good writing skills in clinical documentation.
  • Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint.
  • Experience using databases and online tools.
  • Experience preparing and maintaining narrative documentation of the activities concerning individual client cases.
  • Experience communicating effectively with people over the telephone, in writing and in person, both individually and in groups.
  • Experience in case management related duties/tasks.
  • Willingness and ability to work flexible hours and spend time in the field.
  • Willingness and ability to travel.
  1. Contract Details
  • The contract/s begins October 26, 2016 until September 30, 2017, with 2 weeks’ notice required for contract termination during the contract period. Contractor must be available to attend training in Hidalgo County on October 27-28, 2016.
  • The contracts range from 20-40 hours a week per contract at $35.00 an hour. Travel and expenses are payable on top of the hourly rate. Proof of hours, travel including mileage, receipts are to be billed and paid on a monthly basis. Limits on travel expenses do apply; mileage is reimbursable at $0.54 a mile, hotel rates are paid at state rate, etc.
  • Completion of contract deliverables and duties within the contract scope are required for contract payment.

E. How to Submit a Proposal

Please submit the following no later than close of business day on October 14, 2016 to Candice Dosman, CFE Manager at se email any questions about the contract or proposal to .

  1. A technical approach, which describes how you will carry out the tasks outlined above.
  2. A summary of your recent and relevant projects. Resumes accepted.
  3. A written explanation of your understanding/experience of Collaborative Family Engagement or Family Finding and its importance to children in the foster care system.
  4. A visual sample of your work (i.e. PowerPoint presentation, flow chart, info graph, etc.)
  5. A firm estimate of the fees to be charged and an estimate of expenses that would be incurred.
  6. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of individuals whom we can contact as references.

Selection will be completed by October 21, 2016 by a committee at Texas CASA. CFE Coaches must be available to attend training in Hidalgo County on October 27-28, 2016.

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