YOUTH SERVICES AND PROGRAMING

The goal of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to prevent or reduce juvenile delinquency, and/or to provide sanctions and services for youths who are already involved in the juvenile justice system (see Appendix A).

The targeted populations are Bergen County youth ages 8-17 at intake (unless referred by Family Court or Probation), who are at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system, or who have been charged or adjudicated as delinquent. Programs are to give priority to juveniles who reside in one of the Top Fifteen Municipalities identified by the number of charges filed against juveniles in 2024 and 2025 (Appendix D).

Approximately **$950,000.00** is available through this RFP for the contract period of approximately January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027. Funds are awarded to the County of Bergen via the New Jersey Youth Justice Commission (NJYJC) and include State Community Partnership and Family Court Services Grant (SCP/FC) funds.

All proposals must select at least one (1) Service Priority and at least one (1) Referral Category. Proposals that do not address one (1) of the stated Service Priorities will be eliminated from consideration. Service Priorities and Referral Categories are specified in Appendix A and Appendix B, respectively.

Programs and services will be assessed on the extent to which they address the Causes and Correlates of Delinquency, which includes characteristics, circumstances, and behaviors that research and experience have shown to have the strongest association with delinquent behavior (see Appendix C for more information).

Service Priorities (Appendix A)

• Positive youth development – programs which begin as early as age 8. Programs should be evidence-based/informed and will include, but is not limited to, at least three (3) or more of the twenty-two (22) areas noted in Appendix A.
• Vocational Skills Employment Program, which will include, but is not limited to: Job Training, Skills Development, Job Coaching, Job Placement, Stipend
• Technology Program with a parent component
• Mentoring Program
• Family and Youth Engagement Initiatives including, but not limited to: Family based programs, In-home family interventions
• Mental Health Services for youth including, but not limited to: anxiety, depression, suicide, self-harm
• Structured and supportive after school programming
• Structured and supportive summer programming
• Alcohol/Substance Use and Misuse – Educational and Treatment Programs
• Alcohol/Substance Use and Misuse – Evaluations
• Program to address building Character Development Skills will be evidence-based with a parent component
• Regional Stationhouse Adjustment Program – program must collaborate with multiple police departments, and must include at least one (1) municipality in the Top Fifteen Municipalities
• Diagnostic Evaluations – Psychological including Psychometric and Psychosocial
• Diagnostic Evaluation – Psychiatric
• Diagnostic Evaluation – Neurological
• Family/Parent/Guardian programs
• Parent education/motivation programs
• Youth Leadership Retreat
• Restorative Justice Programs
• Alternative Residential Placement and Supportive Housing Services for High-Risk Youth

Referral Categories (Appendix B)

• Delinquency Prevention
• Diversion
• Detention/Detention Alternatives
• Disposition
• Reentry

Submission

Submit the proposal through the online portal at www.bergenbids.com, no later than the time specified in the Notice to Bidders. No extensions of the deadline will be considered. Failure to meet the deadline and/or include all items marked by an asterisk will result in the proposal being eliminated from consideration.

A complete proposal includes the following:

• Proposal Summary Sheet
• Proposal Narrative
• Budget
• List of names of current board of directors and officers and their terms of office
• Applicant's organizational chart
• Letters of commitment from the collaborators, if applicable
• All other required documents listed on www.bergenbids.com

Evaluation

Proposals will be reviewed by members of the Bergen County Youth Services Commission Allocation Subcommittee who are devoid of conflict. The methodology for awarding contracts is based on an evaluation and ranking, which includes technical, managerial, and cost-related criteria, and the weighting of the criteria.

Contract term

Contracts will be awarded for one (1) year (January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027). Contracts will be renewable for up to two (2) one (1)-year options based on the availability of funds, continued need, positive monitoring, submission of required reports, and approval of each year's contract. It is the sole discretion of the County to exercise an option.

Insurance

Provide evidence of insurance sufficient to protect the organization and the County from property damage or bodily injury claims, including comprehensive general liability, automobile liability, worker's compensation, professional liability, and fidelity bond.