Independent Living Program

The County of Ventura Human Services Agency (HSA) is soliciting proposals from qualified organizations or individuals to provide Independent Living Program (ILP) services. The details of the opportunity and instructions for applying are outlined herein.

One qualified bidder will be selected from this Request for Quotations (RFQ) and will be awarded a contract. The selected bidder will coordinate their service delivery with HSA’s Children & Family Services (CFS) department.

The contractor shall provide comprehensive ILP services and classes that provide eligible youth with essential life-skills training. The contractor shall collaborate with CFS to ensure that all services incorporate extracurricular activities, community resource engagement, and field trips that foster soft-skill development and support successful youth integration into the community.

• Facilitate independent living skills classes for ILP-eligible youth ages 16–21, covering required ILP domains, including but not limited to health, education, employment readiness, transportation, housing, budgeting, self-care, computer skills, and accessing community resources.
• Deliver all classes using a trauma-informed, strength-based framework using Safety Organized Practice (SOP) skills and strategies.
• Provide an ongoing series of in-person class sessions delivered consistently throughout the year for youth ages 16–21.
• Maintain manageable class sizes (generally 10–20 youth unless otherwise authorized by HSA) and allow youth to join at any point during the series.
• Issue completion incentives and certificates to youth who successfully complete the ILP series. [...] Incentives shall be issued per class, per participant, at a minimum of **$20** per class attended, consistent with the approved budgeted incentive rate.
• Coordinate outreach and communication with youth, caregivers, social workers, and probation officers; follow up on missed classes and address barriers to attendance.
• The contractor will track attendance for all classes, submit monthly attendance reports to the ILP Coordinator, and provide aggregate summaries upon completion of each instructional series.
• The contractor shall ensure that all eligible youth have reliable transportation to and from ILP classes and related activities.
• Utilize qualified instructors and guest speakers specialized in relevant life-skills areas (e.g., public health nurse, banker, financial planner). Manage all logistics for securing instructors.
• Develop and deliver an agency-approved ILP curriculum that incorporates the Transitions Tool Kit and covers all required ILP domain areas, including CSEC-related topics.
• Submit aggregate data at the end of each class series, including participation numbers, competency achievements, attendance summaries, outreach activities, and field trip information.

Organizations interested in this opportunity should submit their proposal through the Bonfire portal at https://ventura.bonfirehub.com by **4:00 p.m. PDT on December 2nd, 2026**. Proposals shall include program design; a line-item budget; and pertinent organizational background to demonstrate your organization’s qualifications to meet the specifications laid out in this RFQ. Proposals must be typed using 12-point font, on 8½” x 11” white paper with each page clearly and consecutively numbered. Please limit the proposal to a maximum of five (5) pages in length. All proposals will be reviewed for demonstrated capacity to provide the services/activities sought through this solicitation.

The initial term of the program is expected to be July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028, with the potential for renewing the program annually in 12-month increments (July 1-June 30) based on successful implementation and availability of funding, with budgets to be mutually determined on an annual basis.

It is estimated that **$56,475.00** will be available through this procurement for the one-year performance period of July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. The contract may be renewed for up to three (3) additional option years in 12-month increments (July 1-June 30), with budgets to be mutually determined on an annual basis.

Bidders will be notified of selection or non-selection by December 22, 2026.