NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO OPERATE REGIONAL OFFICES

Description:

As the administering agency for the PABSS program, CQCAPD is announcing the availability of federal funding to establish five-year contracts for the period February 1, 2012 – January 31, 2017 with not-for-profit organizations to provide protection and advocacy services to eligible individuals by establishing PABSS offices in 4 regions throughout New York State.

Program Summary: The mission of the PABSS program is to provide advocacy services to persons with disabilities who are beneficiaries of Social Security and are seeking employment, specifically: to provide information and advice about obtaining vocational rehabilitation and employment services, and advocacy or other services that a beneficiary needs to secure or regain gainful employment. Each contractor will be responsible for providing the following services: investigate and review employment-related complaints, provide information and referral regarding work incentives and employment, provide consultation to and legal representation on behalf of beneficiaries, complete investigations regarding the quality of treatment and fiscal supports provided to beneficiaries who are receiving services from organizational representative payees, assist beneficiaries in disputes before SSA and advocate to identify and correct deficiencies in entities providing employment and/or training services to eligible SSI/SSDI beneficiaries. Program activities must be reported monthly to CQCAPD.

It is anticipated that 4 contracts will be awarded with a total of approximately $285,044 available during the first one-year contract period of February 1, 2012 – January 31, 2013. Funding amounts for years 2–5 of the five-year term will be subject to the availability of grant monies.

The 4 regions comprising the statewide program are: Downstate Region (8 counties), Greater Hudson Valley Region (22 counties), Central Region (17 counties), and Western Region (15 counties). A Request for Proposals (RFP) is expected to be released on July 20, 2011. For an application and a full description of the required services and counties served by each region, contact the person designated below. On its release date the RFP will also be available on CQCAPD’s website at www.cqc.ny.gov.

Proposal Due: September 2, 1011 at 2:00 p.m.

Contract Term: February 1, 2012 – January 31, 2017

Location: 4 Regions Throughout New York State

Contact: Thomas Gilbert, PABSS Program Director, Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, at the above address, 1-800-624-4143 or (518) 388-2882, e-mail: [email protected]

Submit To: Same as above

Subcontracting will not be allowed without written approval from CQCAPD.