1. The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from qualified proposers to provide continued consultation in the development, maintenance and evaluation of a comprehensive service program for tenant selection, waiting list management and community based in-home supports for people with disabilities in the GO Zone. Contractor will assist LDH in the continued development and refinement of the currently existing system of tenant selection and in-home support services for households with disabilities in the Louisiana GO Zone and in the implementation and maintenance of a Medicaid based system of long term sustainable funding for the PSH supportive services currently provided by LDH through CDBG funding.
2. A contract is necessary because the PSH Program is a large, complex program using nationally recognized best practices in both housing and support services for people with disabilities. A Program like PSH has never before been attempted with a cross-disability population. Therefore, the level of expertise necessary to develop a successful program includes detailed knowledge of housing issues as well as extensive knowledge and experience with housing based supportive services. This combination necessitates familiarity with the national best practice service models and national affordable housing models, as well as the nature of the state and federal requirements interfacing a combined housing and support service program for persons with disabilities. Because current federal funding of PSH services is limited and non-recurring, LDH will need assistance with the implementation and maintenance of a Medicaid based sustainable funding mechanism for the support services and the extensive training of service providers to ensure fidelity and consistence with this best practice model. The time frame and complexity of the services will require knowledge and experience with the various Medicaid programs available nationally.