Awarded vendors
- Center for Family Services, Inc.
- Children’s Aid and Family Services
Description
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families issued a statewide Request for Proposals to deliver peer‑to‑peer mentoring services (EnlightenMENT) for youth ages 14‑21 in foster care. Two separate fifteen‑month contracts (each $484,200) were awarded—one for Region 4 and one for Region 5—covering up to 20 youth per region. The program requires a full‑time Peer Navigator with lived experience, part‑time clinical oversight, and a supervisory structure, plus start‑up funding for equipment and vehicles. Deliverables include monthly program reports, quarterly expenditure reports, detailed case documentation, and participation in a DCF‑mandated quality‑improvement framework.
• Service scope: in‑person peer mentoring (minimum two contacts per month) plus optional virtual follow‑up, targeting out‑of‑home youth to improve stability and reduce aging‑out risks.
• Funding: $484,200 per award (total $968,400) split between FY 26 start‑up costs and FY 27 operating costs.
• Staffing: 1 FTE Peer Navigator (≥ $43,500 salary), 0.25 FTE Clinical Coordinator, 0.5 FTE Coach Supervisor, and leadership oversight.
• Reporting: monthly OFPR and CP&P reports, quarterly ROE, final ROE within 120 days of FY end, and compliance with HIPAA‑compliant data systems.
• Timeline: proposal due March 5 2026; award announced April 7 2026; contract runs April 1 2026‑June 30 2027 with a 60‑day post‑award operational start requirement.