DYS 2026-16 Independent Living- Males and Females- Central, Northeast, and Southeast Regions

Background

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is the juvenile justice agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, focused on fostering positive outcomes for youth and building safer communities. The goal of this contract is to competitively procure three Independent Living programs to support young people transitioning to their own homes as part of discharging from DYS in the Central, Northeast, and Southeast Regions.

Work Details

The contract will involve the establishment of three Independent Living Programs (ILPs) that will provide safe, supportive housing opportunities for youth in individual apartments. Each program must serve 5-10 beds per region (Central, Northeast, Southeast). The ILPs will focus on life skills development, housing supports, and access to community-based services in collaboration with DYS Case Management staff. Specific services include financial literacy training, meal planning and cooking instruction, health services coordination, case management planning, and educational services. The programs must ensure compliance with security and safety protocols, including policies for youth supervision and accountability. Responders are required to provide a vision statement that aligns with DYS goals and a detailed implementation plan for program operation.

Period of Performance

The contract is expected to start in August 2026 and has an initial duration of three years with options to renew for up to two additional years.

Place of Performance

The services will be performed in the Central, Northeast, and Southeast Regions of Massachusetts.

Bidder Requirements

Responders must have completed the Department of Youth Services’ Master Service Pre-Qualification Application (MSPQA) process. They must also demonstrate capacity for compliance with all relevant state laws and regulations regarding service delivery. Staff must be over 21 years old and undergo background checks. All staff are required to complete DYS Basic Training prior to supervising youth.