Forensic Behavioral Health Evaluations for Child Welfare-Involved Individuals and Families

Background

The City of Philadelphia's Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking to enhance its capacity to conduct forensic behavioral health evaluations for individuals and families involved in the child welfare system. The DHS aims to ensure the safety of children under its care by obtaining high-quality evaluations that inform case planning and judicial decision-making. This RFP invites qualified applicants, including individual clinicians, practices, or agencies, to apply for funding to provide these essential services.

Work Details

The selected applicant(s) will conduct forensic behavioral health evaluations that include assessments ordered by the court or expected to be submitted to the court. Evaluations must cover a range of psycho-legal issues such as mental health diagnoses, parenting capacity, and safety planning. The services must adhere to best practices outlined by the American Psychological Association and be culturally competent. Evaluators are expected to provide expert testimony in court as needed and maintain thorough documentation. The contract will also require regular reporting on project status and compliance with all relevant guidelines.

Period of Performance

The contract is expected to commence on August 14, 2026, and conclude on August 13, 2027, with the possibility of extending for up to four additional one-year terms.

Place of Performance

Services will be performed within Philadelphia, PA.

Bidder Requirements

Applicants must not be government agencies and should demonstrate relevant experience in forensic behavioral health evaluations. They must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those related to HIPAA. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to obtain Local Business Entity (LBE) certification if eligible.