Training and Technical Assistance

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), a division of the Iowa Department of Education, is looking to enter into a contract for the purpose of retaining a Contractor to provide technical assistance training on customized employment to community rehabilitation providers (CRP) and IVRS staff, with a focus on persons with developmental disabilities. The term of the contract will be December 1, 2018 through August 31, 2019. IVRS is working through a contract with the Department of Human Services, Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council. Bids must be submitted by November 15, 2018, 5:00 p.m.

The successful Contractor will provide the following:

• Approximately 250 hours of on-site and virtual technical assistance training to IVRS staff and CRPs on customized employment strategies in Carroll, Ames/Boone, and Marshalltown/Tama areas. Training will focus on quality practices related to Discovery, IVRS Menu of Service options to support customized employment, report

writing, and business negotiation.

• Identify methods to evaluate long-term two year tracking of job candidates who participate in the technical assistance and report individual outcomes.

• Provide professional training opportunities for CRPs through competitive integrated employment subject matter expert speakers related to the relevant topics. Model and mentor staff through on-site Discovery examples as well as problem solve issues that arise through the delivery of the training assistance.

• Facilitate communication and knowledge transfer for common job candidates between IVRS and the designated CRPs.

Targeted participants include IVRS staff in service units of Carroll, Ames, and Marshalltown and up to three community rehabilitation providers in Carroll and up to four each respectfully in Ames and Marshalltown. Both individual and group activities will be planned and administered.

Results and activities will be tracked on a monthly basis including hours provided and included in the report submitted to IVRS by the Contractor.

Individual employment outcomes will be documented and submitted to IVRS by the Contractor at end of contract with summary report to include strengths, weaknesses of technical assistance provided and recommendations for future service delivery.


The Contractor and IVRS will communicate at a minimum on a monthly basis to discuss progress, questions, and concerns.


Objective 1
Build staff capacity in effective, useful and high quality Discovery and Customized Employment strategies for the three participating IVRS Offices and the CRPs serving each office.

Provide on-site and virtual technical assistance/training (TA/T) to IVRS and CRP staff serving the Service Unit. It is critical that all personnel involved in delivering and purchasing Discovery and Customized Employment services be skilled in the implementation of the strategies as well as understand how to use the information once gathered. Personnel must understand the processes so they will be implemented with fidelity. Additionally, they must understand the difference between an unacceptable narrative reporting and one that is robust. The purpose of this TA/T is to ensure that the participating staff have these skills.

Objective 2
Increase service coordination between the two Area Offices, CRPs serving those offices and individual job candidates and their families/support systems. Coordinate with involved participants identifying common data measures to track the number of referrals, service status and outcomes.

Outcomes Anticipated:
Outcome 1
Increase the number of referrals for Discovery for participating Service Units Increase number of quality narrative reports as determined by the Subject Matter Expert.
Outcome 2
Track the number of Customized Employment outcomes for the participating service units.
Outcome 3
Improve the knowledge and awareness of community rehabilitation providers, IVRS staff and job candidates on quality customized employment services and facilitate communication for a common understanding of quality outcomes expected from the delivery of customized employment services.
Monitoring and Review:

The IVRS Contract Manger or designee will:
• Verify invoices and supporting documentation itemizing work performed prior to payment.
• Determine compliance with general contract terms, conditions, and requirements.
• Assess compliance with Deliverables, performance measures, or other associated requirements based on the following: verify quality of services provided through monthly monitoring of reports submitted by the Contractor.

Process:
The contract anticipates a maximum of 250 hours of technical assistance will be provided total to all three designated offices. Time schedule for the delivery of services could be a range from December 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019. Travel costs should be separated and outlined. The bid will be scored based upon the following criteria:
1. 25% cost. Please identify hourly costs broken down by technical assistance activities per site. Identify timelines for implementation of activity and cost.
2. 50% program service: Detailed description of activities planned, separated by service unit, identifying activities and objectives as well as means to measure success. Identify methods to evaluate long term, two year tracking of candidates participating in the program effort.
3. 50% expertise as subject matter expert. Identify skills and work experience qualifying vendor as subject matter expert in the area of Discovery and Customized Employment. Identify experience in being familiar with Iowa employment landscape and qualifications regarding implementation of system change efforts. Identify experience in national trends related to promising practices in the delivery of customized employment services that will enhance Iowa’s ability to make positive progress.