The State of Alaska's Departments of Family and Community Services (DFCS) and Health (DOH) have identified a service gap for our most complex youth, who often have intellectual and developmental disabilities, co-occurring mental health disorders, and challenging behaviors. These youth frequently are placed in high-level care settings like acute psychiatric care, juvenile justice facilities, or residential psychiatric treatment centers (RPTCs). However, upon reaching treatment goals, they face limited discharge options, leading to prolonged stays in unnecessarily restrictive environments. This Request for Information (RFI) explores the establishment of an enhanced residential setting to support youth transitioning from or avoiding more restrictive facilities.

The objective of this RFI (see attached) is to identify the necessary supports, funding, and training to create a small, home-like setting for 1-4 individuals, offering support for periods ranging from six months to four years based on youth needs. This setting aims to facilitate youth transitioning from higher levels of care or prevent their admission to such facilities altogether. Alaska aims to pilot a program that transitions youth from hospital-based, juvenile justice, or residential treatment settings back into community-based environments, fostering safe reintegration.

Interested parties who believe they can provide the services described in this RFI must submit their response in writing by June 21st, 2024 to the following person:

Brianne Oswald, OTD, OTR/L
Deputy Director of Complex Case Systems 
Department of Family and Community Services- Commissioner’s Office 
Office: 907-269-7851 
Work Cell: 907-223-8772 
Email: Brianne.oswald@alaska.gov