Agency Human Services Dept

Contractor Michael Sanders Enterprises

SWIFT Contract Number 18922

Project Name MN Child-specific recruitment consultant services

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The DHS Child Safety and Permanency Division provides ongoing assistance to permanency professionals providing child-specific recruitment services to youth in out of home care. Professionals providing these services are required to be very creative and must use innovative approaches to identify a permanency resource for youth. The 220 Experience engaged in a tiered approach to review the Minnesota child welfare system and child-specific recruitment services from policy to practice. The insight and recommendations developed through the consultation, training and coaching provided excellent training to professionals providing child-specific recruitment services for older youth. On average, Minnesota has about 500 youth age out of the foster care system each year without a permanency resource. Our intended result from this education, consultation and training will help more youth achieve permanency, reducing the number of youth exiting foster care without a permanent family.

Project Duration

Start Date Mon, 02/15/2021 - 00:00

Original end date Thu, 06/30/2022 - 00:00

Actual end date Fri, 06/30/2023 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $180000

Amendments $40000

Contract total $220000

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? EBFD 32940 Adoption Savings funds

Is this a sole source contract? Yes

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) The 220 Experience conducted highly specialized trainings for the permanency unit, permanency professionals, and grantees who contract with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. These trainings focused on improving practice and developing child-specific recruitment skills for professionals. Also, The 220 Experience provided additional trainings to professionals on how to support the child-specific recruitment efforts, increasing permanency outcomes for older youth. The 220 Experience offered ongoing technical assistance to the permanency unit as coaching, training and consultation is provided in Minnesota. The 220 Experience is the single organization or person to have an approach that involves policy review, consultation and training for child-specific recruitment services for older youth in out of home care.

Evaluator Name Michelle Frazier

Evaluator Email Address michelle.frazier@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Michael Sanders Enterprises was mostly responsive in a timely manner, although since they are a small organization with no administrative staff, it got challenging at times to schedule and coordinate with the contractor.

Evaluate the contractor's quality Michael Sanders Enterprises did a great job of engaging training attendees, professionals in consults and professionals in surveys. The speakers have a dynamic staff that motivate and inspire professionals about finding permanency for older youth.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The estimated costs for services was reasonable and Michael Sanders Enterprises was mindful invoicing per contract requirements.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Overall, Michael Sanders Enterprises completed the contract deliverables we requested and engaged professionals in a positive way. We started the contract in the middle of the pandemic, so all services were remote and unable to be conducted in person, which posed a challenge. However, they did as best as they could considering the circumstances. I think it would help their organization to hire an assistant or administrative staff to help with scheduling and more of the day-to-day operations.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): None

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 4 - satisfied