POS

Purchase Of Services (POS) - Youth

Description of Supplies and Services (Exhibit A)

The Illinois Department of Human Services - Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS-DRS) requires the timely execution of all initial and amended contractual agreements. Provider will have 14 business days to sign and return the required contract documents issued by the State, which may include one or more of the following: initial contract signature page, amendment page, Financial Disclosures and Conflicts of Interest, Standard Certifications, and the Taxpayer Identification Page. Non-compliance may result in a modified start date of the contract to align with the Provider's submission of the required execution documents. Providers will not be reimbursed for services provided in advance of the modified start date. When a contract amendment is issued to reduce the value of the contract, non-compliance may result in the full de-obligation of the contract balance regardless of the amended amount.

This contract is for purchase of care services related to the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program between IDHS-DRS and The Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, hereafter, referred to as Provider.

Under this contract, the services provided by the Provider are only available to youth with disabilities who are in need of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and are eligible for the IDHS-DRS program and receiving services in accordance with an approved Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). IDHS-DRS must approve and authorize the services prior to service provision.

IDHS-DRS staff is exclusively responsible for determination of disability of an individual for the VR program as well as eligibility determination for VR applicants.

The POS Youth is a statewide program under the direction of the IDHS- DRS VR Program. This program assists youth with disabilities in increasing their independent living and work skills. Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living and Work-Based Learning Experiences under Pre-ETS are provided to individuals who qualify under the WIOA as a youth with a disability. Individuals ages 16 through age 24 will be served under this contract. The goal is for participants is to achieve competitive integrated employment (CIE) and maintain it for at least 90 days. Under WIOA, independent living services and work experiences are seen as valuable services that are provided to this group of youth to prepare them for employment. Within this contract, the following services will be provided to achieve the individuals' unique goals. An Independent Living Assessment, Residential Services, Job Seeking Skills Training, Transportation to work experiences, and achieving 90-days of competitive integrated employment (CIE).

The residential program is designed to promote independence, increased ability to live and work independently. The individuals that participate in this program will learn independent living skills and self-advocacy skills which are consistent with WIOA regulations.

Job Seeking Skills Training (JSST) participation will be in accordance with the service time frame listed on the IPE. Participants will learn about workplace readiness skills and participate in work-based learning experiences. Transportation services associated with the work experiences are allowed under this contract during the residential program will be provided based on the service time frame on the IPE.

At the completion of the residential program and JSST, the goal for each participant is CIE. VR regulations established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and subsequent guidance from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) find that there are three key components to determining whether a given job meets the criteria of competitive integrated employment: competitive wages and benefits; integrated location, which means that it is a job that is "typically found in the community"; and opportunity for advancement. CIE is integrated employment within the community which pays the Customer (employee) at least minimum wage or a wage commensurate to the prevailing wage and applicable fringe benefits. Providers use job matching techniques to assist individuals in identifying specific jobs or potential employers that are available and accessible in the community.

Milestones/Deliverables (Exhibit B)

Pre-ETS will be provided to the youth with disabilities participating in this program to gain skills in independent living and obtain employment.

Program Deliverables:

Monthly progress notes submitted with the billing to IDHS-DRS counselor. Progress notes will contain date of services, services provided, skills gained, and progress on goals.

An Individualized Provider Plan (IPP) will be developed on each customer at the beginning of services. This will be updated as the vocational goal changes and must match the VR IPE vocational goal. This will be submitted to IDHS-DRS counselor.

Staffing to discuss progress towards goals, share concerns, or successes will occur every eight weeks, from the time of referral to the CRP, and continue throughout the lifetime of the case. Staffing's will include the customer/guardian, CRP, and IDHS-DRS, at minimum. Others may join at the request of the customer. Signed staffing reports must be submitted to IDHS-DRS by fax, email, and/or regular mail following the staffing. IDHS-DRS counselor will sign and return signed staffing note to the CRP to maintain in their Provider files.

Completion of the Knowledge Check document after service provision, developed by IDHS-DRS, for the identified Pre-ETS are required to demonstrate progress. Results will be shared quarterly.

A Notification of Services (NOS) that details the approved services will be completed by IDHS-DRS staff and submitted to the Provider with the IPE at least annually. The following billing and reporting requirements apply:

1. The provider must submit to both the IDHS-DRS Local Office(s), where customers are served, and the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor the monthly Group Billing Sheet by fax, e-mail and/ or regular mail within 5 business days of the beginning of the month. Group Billing Sheet must include Customer name, last four of the SSN, and the service being billed. Identification of month/year, IDHS-DRS Office location being billed, and Provider demographic information will also be included.
2. If there is no billing for that month, an e-mail will be sent stating that to the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor. Email the Local IDHS-DRS Office as requested.
3. A roster of customers served on the contract for the Fiscal Year will be sent with the billing to the Local IDHS-DRS Office and the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor. This will assist with forecasting utilization needs on the contract.
4. Verification of employment will be submitted with the 90-day billing, to the Local IDHS-DRS Office and the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor. This will include wage records, or paycheck information.
5. IDHS-DRS counselor will review and approve billing of services based on documentation provided. They then submit to their IDHS-DRS Supervisor who reviews and submits to the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor by the 15th of the month, or the following business day if this falls on a weekend or holiday.
6. On-site reviews of contractual requirements, including Provider files, will be performed three years. Based on findings, a Corrective Action Plan may be issued, with a return visit within a six-month time frame to assess compliance.
7. IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor will conduct quarterly meetings to review utilization of the contract and reconcile billings with the Provider. This will include an additional layer of verification to the monthly billing review.
8. Final Reconciliation of a contractual agreement will follow prescribed timeframes communicated annually, or final payment could be delayed, or even denied.

The following information is critical to ensure timely payments and program operations:

1. Incomplete, inaccurate forms required for payment will result in delayed payments.
2. Non-compliance per Provider Responsibilities/Assurances may result in suspension of payments until DHS/DRS is satisfied that compliance concerns have been addressed.

The Provider is required to comply with all provisions outlined in 2 CFR 200.327 Contract Provisions, Appendix II to Part 200 - Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal Awards.

In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity, all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable.

(A) Contracts for more than the simplified acquisition threshold, which is the inflation adjusted amount determined by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) as authorized by 41 U.S.C. 1908, must address administrative, contractual, or legal remedies in instances where contractors violate or breach contract terms, and provide for such sanctions and penalties as appropriate.

(B) All contracts in excess of $10,000 must address termination for cause and for convenience by the non-Federal entity including the manner by which it will be effected and the basis for settlement.

(C) Equal Employment Opportunity. Except as otherwise provided under 41 CFR Part 60, all contracts that meet the definition of "federally assisted construction contract" in 41 CFR Part 60-1.3 must include the equal opportunity clause provided under 41 CFR 60-1.4(b), in accordance with Executive Order 11246, "Equal Employment Opportunity" (30 FR 12319, 12935, 3 CFR Part, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339), as amended by Executive Order 11375, "Amending Executive Order 11246 Relating to Equal Employment Opportunity," and implementing regulations at 41 CFR part 60, "Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor."

(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, "Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction"). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. The non-Federal entity must place a copy of the current prevailing wage determination issued by the Department of Labor in each solicitation. The decision to award a contract or subcontract must be conditioned upon the acceptance of the wage determination. The non-Federal entity must report all suspected or reported violations to the Federal awarding agency. The contracts must also include a provision for compliance with the Copeland "Anti-Kickback" Act (40 U.S.C. 3145), as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 3, "Contractors and Subcontractors on Public Building or Public Work Financed in Whole or in Part by Loans or Grants from the United States"). The Act provides that each contractor or subrecipient must be prohibited from inducing, by any means, any person employed in the construction, completion, or repair of public work, to give up any part of the compensation to which he or she is otherwise entitled. The non-Federal entity must report all suspected or reported violations to the Federal awarding agency.

(E) Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 3701-3708). Where applicable, all contracts awarded by the non-Federal entity in excess of $100,000 that involve the employment of mechanics or laborers must include a provision for compliance with 40 U.S.C. 3702 and 3704, as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5). Under 40 U.S.C. 3702 of the Act, each contractor must be required to compute the wages of every mechanic and laborer on the basis of a standard work week of 40 hours. Work in excess of the standard work week is permissible provided that the worker is compensated at a rate of not less than one and a half times the basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in the work week. The requirements of 40 U.S.C. 3704 are applicable to construction work and provide that no laborer or mechanic must be required to work in surroundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous. These requirements do not apply to the purchases of supplies or materials or articles ordinarily available on the open market, or contracts for transportation or transmission of intelligence.

(F) Rights to Inventions Made Under a Contract or Agreement. If the Federal award meets the definition of "funding agreement" under 37 CFR § 401.2 (a) and the recipient or subrecipient wishes to enter into a contract with a small business firm or nonprofit organization regarding the substitution of parties, assignment or performance of experimental, developmental, or research work under that "funding agreement," the recipient or subrecipient must comply with the requirements of 37 CFR Part 401, "Rights to Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under Government Grants, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements," and any implementing regulations issued by the awarding agency.

(G) Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387), as amended-Contracts and subgrants of amounts in excess of $150,000 must contain a provision that requires the non-Federal award to agree to comply with all applicable standards, orders or regulations issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387). Violations must be reported to the Federal awarding agency and the Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

(H) Debarment and Suspension (Executive Orders 12549 and 12689)-A contract award (see 2 CFR 180.220) must not be made to parties listed on the governmentwide exclusions in the System for Award Management (SAM), in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR part 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR part 1989 Comp., p. 235), "Debarment and Suspension." SAM Exclusions contains the names of parties debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded by agencies, as well as parties declared ineligible under statutory or regulatory authority other than Executive Order 12549.

(I) Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment (31 U.S.C. 1352)-Contractors that apply or bid for an award exceeding $100,000 must file the required certification. Each tier certifies to the tier above that it will not and has not used Federal appropriated funds to pay any person or organization for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with obtaining any Federal contract, grant or any other award covered by 31 U.S.C. 1352. Each tier must also disclose any lobbying with non-Federal funds that takes place in connection with obtaining any Federal award. Such disclosures are forwarded from tier to tier up to the non-Federal award.

(J) See § 200.323.

(K) See § 200.216.

(L) See § 200.322.

Pricing (Exhibit C)

POS-Youth Program:

Independent Living Assessment - Up to XX number of customers can be served at a rate of $500 each.

Residential Services - Can be provided up XX weeks, at a rate of $485 per week.

Job Seeking Skills Training (JSST) - Up to XX customers can be served at a rate of $293 per week each.

*This will be provided in accordance with the service time frame listed on the IPE. Eight week staffings and progress notes will document the initial and continued need for this service.*

Transportation - Up to XX customers will be provided transportation to participate in residential services at a rate of $75 per month each.

*This will be provided in accordance with the service time frame listed on the IPE. Eight week staffings and progress notes will document the initial and continued need for this service.*

90-day Employment- Up to XX customers can be served at a rate of $3,392.

Providers submits billings for payment upon completion of identified services.

All billings should be reconciled during the quarterly meetings with the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor. Missed billing for 1st and 2nd quarter, will be submitted no later than the last business day of January. Missed billing for 3rd and 4th quarter will be submitted no later than the 5th business day of July. No reimbursement for billings submitted after those deadlines will be approved. Notwithstanding the content outlined in Section 2 Pricing and Section 2 sub sections Types of Pricing and Price for the Initial Term, changes or modifications to Providers Pricing are strictly prohibited without prior written approval from the IDHS-DRS Transition and Community Rehabilitation Services Manager. Modifications made without prior written approval will not be reimbursed by the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the meaning of the Section Maximum Amount.

Funding may not be used to pay for alcoholic beverages; and cannot be used to pay for entertainment, which includes costs for amusement, diversion, and social activities. A Providers hosting a meeting or conference may not use funds to pay for food for conference attendees unless doing so is necessary to accomplish the legitimate meeting or conference business. Provider must receive written pre-approval to use grant funds to host a meeting or conference that includes food. Furthermore, all meeting or conference materials or publicity of any nature paid for with these funds must include appropriate disclaimers that identify the IDHS-DRS as the sponsoring agency and must not be released without prior written approval from the State's Authorized Representative.

All publicity and/or public action must also include a provision that the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the IDHS-DRS nor is it an endorsement. For purposes of this provision, publicity includes notices, informational pamphlets, press releases, research, reports, signs, and similar public notices prepared by or for the Providers individually or jointly with others, with respect to the program, publications, or services provided resulting from the grant agreement or subsequent amendments.

Performance Measures (Exhibit E)

This will be measured from the monthly group billing sheet submitted to the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor. And the Knowledge Check submitted quarterly.

Number of customers in the program.

Number of customers that completed an Independent Living Assessment.

Number of customers that participated in the Residential Program.

Number of customers that participated in the Job Seeking Skills Training (JSST).

Number of customers that utilized Transportation. Number of customers that are referred and participate in obtaining CIE.

Performance Standards (Exhibit F)

If these baseline requirements are not met two consecutive years, a corrective action plan may be initiated.

100% of the customers participating will qualify as a youth with a disability.

At least 90% of the customers referred for an Independent Living Assessment will receive that service.

At least 50% of customers who completed the Independent Living Assessment will participate in the Residential Skills program.

At least 90% of the customers participating in the Residential Program will demonstrate an increased knowledge of workplace readiness skills.

At least 90% of the customers participating in the JSST service will demonstrate an increased knowledge of employability skills.

At least 50% of customers participating in the Residential Program and JSST will obtain CIE and maintain it for 90 days.