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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) Information Session June 27, 2014 24-Hour Drop-In Service for Women in Downtown Toronto
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)
Information SessionJune 27, 2014
24-Hour Drop-In Service for Women in Downtown Toronto
Agenda Introductions (10:00-10:10) Presentation - REOI (10:10-10:30)◦ Purpose◦ Submission Requirements◦ Application and Assessment Process◦ Timelines
Questions and Answers◦ General (10:30-11:30)
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On October 28, 2013, Community Development and Recreation Committee (CDRC) directed Shelter, Support & Housing Administration (SSHA) to consult with women's homeless service providers and stakeholders to review the feasibility of establishing a 24-hour safe drop-in for women, review existing services and available funding for Capital Improvements, and report back in the Spring of 2014 on the consultation.
On December 4, 2013, CDRC directed SSHA to expedite the consultations to provide a progress report to the January 21, 2014 Committee meeting.
Background
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On January 21, 2014, SSHA reported to CDRC on progress made toward determining the feasibility of opening 24-hour drop-in services for women.
Consultations with service users and service providers were scheduled to take place in January and February 2014 with a report back to CDRC in April 2014 on the results of the consultations, including options for a service delivery model, appropriate services, suitable location and the financial impact.
Background (continued)
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On April 17, 2014, SSHA reported to CDRC, recommending that:
1. A Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) be issued in 2014 to establish community interest in operating up to two 24-hour low-barrier drop-ins for women, one in the east end and one in the west end of the city; and
2. SSHA report to the August 6, 2014 Budget Committee on the results of the REOI, feasibility of the service, and estimated program costs and tax impacts, with a view to have one or two 24-hour low-barrier drop-ins for women established no later than December 2014.
Background (continued)
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Committee lost quorum before the report was accepted, and was finally considered by CDRC on May 22, 2014.
Council adopted the report and recommendations at its June 10-13, 2014 meeting.
Background (continued)
To identify one or more existing drop-in operators, or agencies serving marginalized individuals, to deliver 24-hour drop-in services for women, including transgender women, at a facility owned or rented by the agency.
The requirement for 24-hour service may be met through an enhancement of current programming or a new 24-hour program.
Purpose of REOI
The agency will:
◦ Provide a safe and welcoming space for street-involved women, including transgender women, in a low-barrier drop-in setting;
◦ Connect women with appropriate community resources; and
◦ Identify and respond to the complex needs of the most vulnerable street-involved women using an approach that includes harm reduction and trauma-informed care.
Key Service Delivery Principles
The desired operating model for the drop-in will include:
24-hour/ 7 day a week operation; Provision of 24-hour low-barrier case management supports,
including supportive counselling; Onsite nursing and/or health supports; Provision of healthy meals; Capacity and commitment to hiring, training and supporting peers;
and Commitment to ongoing development of partnerships.
Operating Model
The drop-in will be accessible only to women, including transgender women.
The facility will be located in the downtown area and in close proximity to 24 hour public transportation.
The facility will have a minimum building capacity of 30 clients.
The agency must have the capacity to deliver ongoing service, including a commitment to annual program evaluation and improvement.
Submission Requirements
The agency will be expected to:◦ Work with the City to create an Advisory Committee of City Staff,
service providers and service users to refine the service model.
◦ Work with the City and with other funders (i.e., LHINs, private sector, etc.) to access additional resources.
◦ Work with the community in which the drop-in is located to maintain a positive community relationship.
Submission Requirements (continued)
Section 7.0 of “Proposal Requirements and Application” is the application. Please submit Sections 7.1 to 7.5, including:◦ Agency Information
List of Current Board of Directors, including addresses and detail demonstrating that the Board, and its officials, have the experience and skills necessary to provide the required guidance to the project.
Organization chart of your agency. Include how this program would fit within your current structure.
Most recent audited financial statement of your agency. Please include a detailed list of all funding received from the City of Toronto.
Date of your last Annual General Meeting.
◦ 3 tabs of Budget Spreadsheet Project Revenues and Expenditures Project Staffing Capital Costs
Application Overview
1) Organizational Eligibility:
Agencies must:
Be located in the City of Toronto with primary activities taking place within the City of Toronto, and at least 50% of Board members reside in the City;
Serve individuals who are homeless or those at risk of homelessness; Be an incorporated non-profit with a recent audited financial statement; Be in good standing with the City of Toronto; Be able to comply with the City of Toronto Anti-racism, Access and Equity Policy; and Demonstrate reasonableness of its unrestricted reserves.
Assessment Criteria
2) Organizational Experience:
o Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of and experience with the complex needs of street-involved women
3) Capacity to Assume Operation:
o Demonstrates the capacity to assume operation, including identification of realistic timelines
Assessment Criteria (continued)
4) Building Information:
o Criteria for evaluation of potential sites include, bur are not limited to:o Access to a geographically appropriate location by the first quarter of
2015;o Provision of a safe and welcoming space;o Degree of physical accessibility of the location;o Appropriateness of kitchen and common space;o Availability of private or semi-private, secure outdoor space to
accommodate women's needs;o Availability of showers and washrooms; ando Availability of a laundry facility accessible to women.
Assessment Criteria (continued)
5) Philosophy of Service Delivery:
o Demonstrates a philosophy of service delivery consistent with the needs of the most vulnerable street-involved women.
o Foundational elements of the operating model are identified in the
report to Community Development and Recreation Committee, Feasibility of 24-Hour Drop-In Service for Women (CD29.1)
Assessment Criteria (continued)
6) Project Financial Information:
oBudget is reasonable and reflects reasonable project operating costs
oOther sources of funding and/or in-kind supports are not a requirement, but will be assessed favourably
oStaffing costs reflect a focus on service delivery and the staffing model includes peers
oCapital costs will be used for information purposes only
Assessment Criteria (continued)
Proposals will be reviewed by a team of City staff.
Proposed budgets will inform SSHA’s report to Budget Committee on August 6, 2014, as well as the Division’s 2015 budget request.
If funding for this project is approved through the 2015 Budget process, this REOI will be the first stage in a two stage application process.
The second stage will be a Request for Proposals.
Assessment Process and Secondary Application Stage
The results of this REOI will be used to determine a short list of proponents eligible to respond to a Request for Proposals.
In order to be considered for the second stage, a response to this REOI is required.
All applicants will be notified of the status of their application.
Secondary Application Stage (continued)
Successful proponents will also be notified of next steps. The secondary application stage may require:
◦ Additional information on proposed programming and program delivery;
◦ An interview with SSHA; and
◦ A site visit.
Secondary Application Stage (continued)
Questions about this REOI may be directed to Hillary Keirstead at 416-392-0643 or [email protected].
The deadline to submit questions is July 4, 2014.
Responses to questions will be posted on the SSHA website, www.toronto.ca/housing, in an addendum on July 8, 2014.
Questions & Communications
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REOI TimelineREOI Issued June 16, 2014Information Session June 27, 2014Deadline for Written Questions July 4, 2014Release of final addendum, if required July 8, 2014
REOI Submission Deadline Monday, July 14, 2014 (12:00 noon)
Include 3 copies of your application Must be received by noon on July 14, 2014. Do not fax or email your proposal
Proposal Submission Requirements
Address your submission to:
Attn: Housing Support Services RFPCity of TorontoShelter Support and Housing Administration55 John Street, Metro Hall, 6th Floor Reception
Website
toronto.ca/housing
Look for the link under “Featured Information”
Questions
