Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program (SVSE) Request for Proposal (RFP)

The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is releasing this RFP for supervised visitation and safe exchange services (SVSE) for children in cases involving domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. Studies have shown that the risk of violence is often greater for victims of domestic violence and their children after separation from an abusive situation. After separation, batterers often use visitation and exchange of children as an opportunity to inflict additional emotional, physical, and/or psychological abuse on victims and their children. Visitation and exchange services provided through the SVSE Program should reflect a clear understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking; the impact of domestic violence on children; and the importance of holding offenders accountable for their actions. SVSE Programs are intended to protect children from the trauma of witnessing domestic or dating violence or experiencing abduction, or abuse, and protect parents or caretakers who are victims of domestic and dating violence from experiencing further violence, abuse, and threats during child visitation exchanges by providing supervised visitation and safe exchange of children by and between parents in situations involving domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.

The Family Violence Prevention Initiative funds community-based agencies to provide assistance and advocacy to homeless or individuals at risk of becoming homeless, who have been victims of, or threatened with, domestic violence or abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional), including teens who have been victimized in an intimate relationship. Programs should provide services while strengthening the problem-solving capabilities and building self-sufficiency of victims.

This solicitation is for two delegate agencies to provide SVSE services. Priority will be given to Respondents who can provide services throughout the city but also specifically to the following north and west side neighborhoods: Uptown, Lincoln Square, North Center, Lakeview and Edgewater, the Near West Side, Lower West Side, Armour Square, McKinley Park and Bridgeport. Please refer to the community area map in Attachment A for the specific boundaries associated with these neighborhoods. In an effort to serve Chicago’s diverse populations, priority will also be given to agencies with experience serving non-English speaking clients, and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Specifically, consideration will be given to Respondents capable of serving Spanish speaking clients and/or clients speaking Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Urdu and/or Hindi. The anticipated contract amount is $146,000 for each contract.

All proposals shall be submitted in sealed envelopes or packages addressed and forwarded to:

Jennifer Welch
Managing Deputy Commissioner
Department of Family and Support Services
1615 West Chicago Avenue, 5th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60622

The outside of the envelope or package must clearly indicate the title of this RFP, the name and address of the Respondent and the date and time the proposal is submitted.

PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN

4:30 PM CENTRAL TIME ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

Listed below are the documentation that will be needed for the Request for Proposal (RFP):

Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Request for Proposal (RFP)

Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Application

Request for Proposal Budget Form

Attachment A - Community Area Map

Attachment B - Insurance Certificate of Coverage