Call for Proposals

Introduction

Saskatchewan’s IYS model will be branded and purpose-built to fit the requirements and needs of our province and will aim to reduce existing barriers to accessing needed services. Saskatchewan IYS will support youth aged 12-25, in reaching their full potential by integrating and co-locating a range of youth-targeted services and supports, using a stepped-care approach. Initial funding will support the development and operation of at least three IYS Youth hubs in communities across the province. IYS Youth hubs will offer a one-stop centre in the community, providing rapid access to quality, evidence-based, integrated, culturally safe, youth-targeted services and supports, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.

This Call for Proposals (CFP) is an invitation by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan (JHSS) to prospective Organizations/Entities in Saskatchewan for the purpose of identifying and selecting at least three Lead Agencies to oversee and operate one Integrated Youth Services site each in one (1) large urban centre, one (1) medium urban centre, and one (1) rural or northern centre.

Funding

Funding in 2023-24 will support site development, start-up, operational planning, and implementation for a minimum of three IYS Youth Hubs in communities across the province. This funding is intended to support each new Youth Hub for:

Securing a physical space to host the IYS Youth Hub
Capital improvements to ensure the site is designed by youth for youth
Sask IYS Youth Hub core staffing
Youth, family, community and other stakeholder engagement
Service partnerships (in-kind, re-allocated, new)
Implementation of a common evaluation framework and activities

Youth Hubs will require strong collaboration across youth-serving programs within the health systems, government and community. Proposals should describe the partners who are (or who will be) working together to deliver services in a more integrated, youth-centered way, including associated in-kind contributions.

Sask IYS Core Principles

The Saskatchewan IYS backbone team is led by a set of core principles for our service development and delivery. The core principles that the Saskatchewan IYS model will be updated to reflect Saskatchewan IYS’ growth and evolution.

The core principles include:

Services focus on prevention and early intervention for youth and young people
Services are rooted in integration and stepped care approaches
Services are co-developed with youth and young people
Services are accessible by self-referral and walk-ins for youth and young people
Services should emphasize on community partnerships
Services need to be youth-friendly and culturally responsive

Sask IYS Core Services

The Saskatchewan IYS model aims to coordinate, streamline and build on existing resources in each community. The Saskatchewan IYS model intends to bring together local government and non‑profit agencies as partners, by co‑locating and integrating services.

The core services that each Youth hub would need to have include:

Mental health and addiction services
Primary care, sexual health, and harm reduction services
Education, employment, and training supports
Community and social services
Peer supports
Cultural and traditional supports
Other services and supports as identified by the community

Key Dates

Issue Date for Call for Proposals	June 29, 2023
Deadline for Questions	August 2, 2023
Deadline for Submission	August 11, 2023 at 6:00PM CST
Shortlisting of Applicants	August 16, 2023
Panel Presentations	August 21-24, 2023
Anticipated Awards	September 15, 2023
Anticipated Execution of Agreements	September 29, 2023
Expected Operation of Sites	By March 31, 2024

Resources & Downloads

Call for Proposal Questions

Is the amount noted in the guideline available for each of the locations, or are these total amounts to be split between the three locations?

The funds noted in the Call for Proposals are only for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and will be equitably split between at least three (3) IYS Youth Hubs.

Will there be amounts available for 2024-2025, and what is the start and end of your fiscal year?

There will be ongoing operational funds for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 fiscal years. Fiscal years are:

April 1st 2023 to March 31st 2024
April 1st 2024 to March 31st 2025
April 1st 2025 to March 31st 2026

We expect to have approximately $2.19M per year to be equitably split between at least three (3) IYS Youth Hubs. We are looking for communities to identify what they will require for their operational costs.

Is there a pre-determined percentage allocated to administrative costs or will this be decided with the selected applicants?

There is no predetermined percentage allotted to administration. We will work with each site to determine what their needs are and set a standard across the province moving forward.

Who can apply to host an IYS Youth Hub?

Applications will be considered from non-profit Community Based Organizations; municipal governments; research organizations and institutes; public health and educational institutions; Band/tribal councils; and other Indigenous organizations that are eligible to receive funding for an initiative and act as coordinators for activities.

What does funding look like if two agencies partner together to operate an IYS Youth Hub?

Saskatchewan IYS would enter into contract with one Lead Agency, who could then subcontract services from their co-applicants if needed to meet the needs of the IYS Youth Hub. The Lead Agency would be responsible for administering funds to their partners out of the operational budget.

What will be required for panel presentations for short listed applicants?

The panel presentation is meant to be an opportunity to answer the evaluation committees’ question and highlight your community, partnerships, and youth. We are looking for a digital component to the panel presentations which can include but is not limited to a power point, video, interviews with partners, or other mediums that show your community readiness to host an IYS Youth Hub.

What does taking on an IYS Youth Hub mean for an organization regarding branding?

Lead agencies chosen to operate an IYS Youth Hub are expected to adopt a common brand and identity. This means that the IYS Youth Hub would be administered by the lead agency as a stand-alone program identified as Saskatchewan IYS. The brand and identity are being created in collaboration with our Youth Co-Design team. Detailed branding guidelines will be provided to successful organizations.

Can organizations operate existing services out of the IYS Youth Hub?

A large component of the youth hubs is co-location of services. If there is a service offered by your organization that fits the needs of the youth hub it may be co–located in this space similarly to other community services and partners. However, the IYS site is meant to be a standalone operation and should exist in a dedicated space separate from your organization.

What does service delivery look like in terms of number of days and hours per day the IYS Youth Hubs need to be operational?

Each site will be required to have regular daytime hours with services and programming also available during evening and weekend hours. Sites should have services available a minimum of six days per week, with specialized services having a regularly scheduled/predictable weekly service schedule. Further information around service delivery can be found in the CFP Guide document.

The CFP indicates primary health care services by a physician or NP is an integral part of the IYS model. Is funding for services for a physician or NP through the IYS service delivery agreement, in the form of a salary, or would the healthcare professional be directly billing through a youth’s PHN back to the Ministry of Health?

With regard to the requirement to have primary care services offered out of IYS Youth Hubs, there are several ways that this core service could take shape, depending on the resourcing and partnerships that exist within the community. This may include direct hiring; contracting for services; entering into a shared services agreement; or a combination of with a primary care provider/practitioner who is licensed and has a practice within the Province of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Negotiation of terms would be the responsibility of the practitioner.

The operational grant that will be provided by the Backbone to a Lead Agency, will include funds that can be utilized to ensure that core services are achieved. We encourage innovation and collaboration in planning for primary care services for Integrated Youth Services.

Are there any minimum space requirements for the Youth Hubs?

We do not currently have any space restrictions other than consideration of the needs for a clinical or exam room to ensure the medical professional is able to confidentially and thoroughly provide a spectrum of care to the youth. Other judications have recommended exam rooms be 8’x11′ (feet) minimum to consider the needs for infection control, visual and acoustic privacy.

Each Exam Room should include the following:

Table Exam Base Only Manual 204 w/ Pass Thru Drwr $1,326.00
Upholstery Top Seamless 28in f/MDL 204 Table Obsidian $634.00
Light Exam GS 300 w/ Mobile Stand $480.00
Transformer Wall GS 777 $1,475.00
Oximeter Pulse Diagnostix 2100 $99.00
Stethoscope Dual Head Classic III $125.00
Chart Eye Snellen 10ft Distance $6.00
Microscope Revelation III 12v Electronics Achromatic $1,100.00
Centrifuge Horizon 6-Place MDL614B $675.00
Defibrillator AED Plus ZOLL $1,775.00
Resuscitator Paediatric Disp w/ Mask Valve/Flex TBG & Reservoir $38.00
Sphyg Aneroid Pocket 700 Adult 2TB ADCUFF Black $73.05
Medication Fridge $3,200.00
Sit-Stand Combo System with CPU Holder $1,008.00

Do we have a Co-Design framework currently developed for working with youth and young people?

We do not have a framework at this time. However, co-design is a creative way of working with youth and caregivers to create ideas/solutions together to better serve them. The focus should be designing with the people that will use, deliver or engage with a service or product.

Will there be a standardized data collection tool provided to the IYS Youth Hubs?

Yes. We are exploring different tools in use by other Integrated Youth Services initiatives throughout the Country to be adapted to meet the needs of Saskatchewan youth and their communities.

How will outcomes be measured? Will there be site specific outcomes in addition to established provincial outcomes?

Saskatchewan IYS will require sites to report on a predetermined set of outcomes using the provided data set. There will also be an opportunity for sites to set specific goals as we recognize that the needs of the youth in our communities will differ.