School Psychology Services

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) is the fifth largest public school system in Maryland, serving approximately 75,811 students across 162 schools. The Office of Special Education has historically relied on contractual MSDE certified/licensed school psychology staff to meet the needs of students requiring Individual Education Plan (IEP) services. Due to a nationwide shortage of school psychologists, City Schools has faced challenges in staffing adequately, leading to compliance issues with the Maryland State Department of Education. The goal of this contract is to ensure that all required school psychology services are provided to students aged 0-21 according to their IEPs, thereby improving educational outcomes and compliance with legal mandates. Work Details The contractor will provide school psychological services for children aged 0-21 years, including assessments and therapy for IEP and general education students. Services must be delivered by MSDE certified/licensed psychologists or those eligible for certification. Key responsibilities include: - Conducting developmentally appropriate assessments and therapy sessions. - Completing assessments using valid procedures and tests appropriate for the child. - Providing timely reporting of assessments as per IDEA and COMAR regulations. - Writing IEP/IFSP goals and objectives based on assessment findings. - Maintaining confidentiality and adhering to ethical standards set by APA and NASP. - Ensuring that all services are documented accurately in accordance with City Schools' policies. Contractors must bid on all service options including hourly direct rates, assessment rates, and daily rates. The anticipated workload includes providing services during regular school hours (7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) on days when City Schools are open. Period of Performance The contract term is anticipated to be three years from the date after Board approval, with two one-year renewal options at the discretion of City Schools. Place of Performance Services will be provided at various locations within Baltimore City Public Schools as designated by the Related Services Unit. Bidder Requirements Bidders must have been operational for at least two years providing related services such as OT, PT, Speech, School Psychology, or Social Work. For clinician-owned businesses, the owner must have at least five years of clinical practice in a related field. Bidders must submit resumes, references, MSDE certification/license documentation for each candidate, and ensure compliance with background checks as per City Schools' requirements.