DRAFT Request for Proposals Comprehensive Healthcare Program for Foster Care RFP # 529-06-0293

The purpose of this draft by the Texas Department of Heatlh and Human Services is to solicit stakeholder comments through March 22, 2006, in order to develop an RFP for a contract with a single Managed Care Organization (MCO) to develop a statewide Comprehensive Health Care Model for Children and Young Adults in substitute care to include: 

• Children and young adults in the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) conservatorship
  
  
• Emancipated minors and young adults age 18-21 who voluntarily agree to continue in a foster care placement
  
  
• Young adults who have exited foster care and are participating in the foster care youth transitional Medicaid Program.

In 2005, the Texas Legislature addressed the special health care needs of the Target Population in Senate Bill 6 (79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005). Effective September 1, 2005, this law requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to design a comprehensive, cost effective medical services delivery Model to meet the Target Population's physical and behavioral health needs. The model will:

• Deliver integrated physical and Behavioral Health Services, centralize Service Coordination, and effectively manage health care data and information
  
  
• Provide the Target Population with a consistent source of health care 
  
  
• Improve health care outcomes through enhanced quality of services
  

The final RFP is scheduled to be released in May 2006. The tentative schedule calls for all bids to be submitted by July 2006, and awards to be announced in November 2006. The contract is scheduled to begin in July 2007.