1.0 Background and OverviewThe Department of Social Services (DSS) is seeking quotes for Information Technology ( IT ) Managed Service Providers ( MSP ), that will manage Projects-Based/Deliverables Staffing ( Services ) for the Culture Transformation Journey Project detailed below to the State of Connecticut ( CT ) Department of Social Services ( DSS ) for an enterprise-wide intervention that results in sustainable culture transformation. IT MSP will engage the DSS employees for six months of work. The Department of Social Services (DSS) delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut's multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, and online and phone access options. With service partners, DSS: provides federal/state food and economic aid, health care coverage, independent living and home care, social work, child support, home-heating aid, protective services for older adults, and more vital service areas. supports the health of over 850,000 residents through HUSKY Health (Medicaid & Children's Health Insurance Program), including medical, dental, behavioral health, prescription medications, long-term services and supports. helps over 370,000 residents afford food and supports Connecticut's economy with federally-funded Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). has 1,700 dedicated staff led by Commissioner Andrea Reeves. DSS is in the business of facilitating the health and meeting the basic needs of almost a million of the state's most vulnerable population. The services are multi-faceted system of complexity for the citizens to traverse, and the employees of DSS are the key to dignified entry and navigation through the myriad of requirements to meet their most basic needs. Our clients expect to receive services with effectiveness, compassion, and dignity. The approximately 1,700 employees dedicate themselves to the delivery of these critical services. There are many strategies in play for the new administration at the agency including but not limited to improving the overall experience of our clients, implementing new technology systems and enhancing our delivery of Medicaid health insurance to clients and provider communities. Our employees expect to thrive in an environment that leads them effectively with compassion and dignity. The effort to improve our work culture will promote the shared values, belief systems, attitudes, and the set of assumptions that people in a workplace share. At the conclusion of this engagement, we expect to be known as an employer of choice by attracting and retaining employees and increase overall employee engagement and collaboration. This Request for Quote ( RFQ ) is being solicited pursuant to Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Piggyback Agreement Covendis Technologies - IT Managed Service Providers (MSP) 22PSX0163AA, and that the resulting Statement of Work ( SOW ) will be subject to the terms and conditions of that agreement. The State anticipates requesting at least three vendors from the Piggyback Agreement Covendis Technologies - IT Managed Services Providers (MSP) to respond to this RFQ. The State will select one MSP from the responses received and will negotiate a SOW with that MSP. The negotiated SOW will have to be approved by DSS before any work can begin. 2.0 Scope of Services2.1 Overall ScopeThe Department of Social Services ( DSS or Department ) has set clear goals and expectations for the MSP to assess and identify DSS' challenges and opportunities, anticipate future risks and pitfalls, and make recommendations to improve and continually monitor DSS' culture and climate.The MSP will assess DSS' overall culture and climate to help determine measures the MSP should implement to meet the short and long-term needs of employees and to increase communication and transparency throughout the Department.The MSP's findings and recommended actions must address the concerns of employees including whistleblower policies, procedures, and structure, as well as the provision of specialty behavioral health services, and employee assistance programs.2.2 ObjectivesThis engagement is meant to establish specific strategies and tactics needed to deliver and implement a roadmap for an organizational culture and climate transformation ( Culture Change ). Such Culture Change should positively change attitudes and self-awareness among all DSS employees, leading to changes in habits and behaviors and improving the overall experience of being employed by DSS.2.3 MSP ResponsibilitiesOrganizational Development Project management; Assessment analysis and recommendations; Design and facilitation of any cultural interventions; and Executive coaching.Communication Visual and tonal branding, design and template creation; and Culture transformation-specific channel identification and maintenanceProject Management and Administrative Goal tracking Broad support to include managing meeting invitations, supplementary facilitation, etc. The MSP will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating the meetings with the DSS leadership team and staff as needed during the six months engagement.2.4 DeliverablesAll work products produced by the MSP, in support of implementing the services procured through this engagement shall be in a format designated by the Department, stored on a Department-owned and identified repository, once established, and must be approved and accepted by the DSS Project Executive, or another individual designated by them.The MSP should complete the following deliverables: Engage and survey employees at multiple locations, using various effective communication methods and tools to be defined by the MSP and agreed upon by the DSS Commissioner or designee. Collect feedback from employees at all levels, classifications, and departments across the Department. Collect employee data related to DSS protected characteristics to allow survey results to be disaggregated by race/ethnicity, gender, etc.[SD1] Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the Department, including the root causes of the weaknesses and threats. Evaluate DSS processes, policies, procedures, and training. Help assess and refine DSS values and complement DSS current vision and mission. Identify and prioritize areas of change with a clear path on how to achieve them effectively. Provide reports on findings at appropriate junctures in the process to be defined by the MSP and agreed upon by the DSS Commissioner or designee. Provide framework for continued Culture Change for long-term sustainability of diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. Review draft recommendations with the DSS Commissioner and/or designee that build upon the positives and resolve the negatives. Define strategies for organizational rollout, acceptance, and adoption. Create final report and share findings department-wide through effective communications plan as agreed upon by the DSS Commissioner and/or designee. Help create a system of monitoring and feedback to track Culture Change progress and ensure transparency. Work with DSS staff to implement effective, measurable and sustainable programs and initiatives that will improve our workplace culture and climate. Track progress and provide regular updates to the DSS Commissioner and/or authorized designee on workplace culture and behavioral health efforts, and progress towards creating a climate of recovery. Perform tasks or services the MSP believes may enhance the Culture Change work and achieve the overall objective of improving the experience of being employed by DSS.The deliverables should be actionable deliverables that can be implemented throughout all levels of the Department.The MSP shall provide to the DSS each deliverable in the mutually agreed upon Project Work Plan. Each deliverable identified in the Project Work Plan shall be submitted to the DSS for review, modification, and approval in accordance with the agreed upon timeline in the Project Work Plan. DSS requires the following from the MSP in order to monitor progress and ensure compliance: Ongoing briefings with the Department's Commissioner and/or designee; Monthly check-ins with the DSS Commissioner and/or designee; Bi-weekly check-ins with the Project Executive; and Presentation of findings to the DSS Commissioner and designee. 3.0 Key Information The total project duration is estimated to be 6 months. 4.0 Decision Authority The State of Connecticut contact that will have decision authority under this Request for Quote for Services is reflected below. Project Executive: Easha Canada5.0 Notices The respective contact names for any notices required under this Request for Quote for Services are as follows: State of Connecticut Easha Canada, Deputy Commissioner & Chief Strategy Office 55 Farmington Avenue Hartford, CT 06105 Phone: 860-###-#### Email: ************* [SD1]DC Canada, do you want the survey results to be disaggregated....? If not, we can delete. Please advise. Number Name Deliverables Description Start Date End Date 1 Align Leadership Gathering Data Evaluate to help assess DSS values, current vision, and mission, DSS processes, policies, procedures and training.Hold 1:1 data gathering sessions and identify and prioritize areas of change with a clear path on how to achieve them effectively. 11/01/2023 12/31/2023 2 Align Leadership Prepare and deliver Feedback to Executive Team Provide framework for culture change for long term stainability of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies. Includes drafting recommendations, define strategies for organizational rollout, acceptance and adoption. 01/01/2024 02/29/2024 3 Align Leadership Establish Monthly Leadership Alignment Establish monthly team leadership meetings that accelerates a team approach, building trust, conflict, buy-in, accountability and results. 03/01/2024 04/01/2024 4 Employee Engagement Prepare Engagement Survey Design an engagement survey using effective communication s methods and tools as defined by the managed service provider (MSP) and agreed upon by the DSS Commissioner or designee. 11/01/2023 11/30/2023 5 Employee Engagement Establishing baseline Engage and survey employees at multiple locations. 12/01/2023 01/31/2024 6 Employee Engagement Collect Feedback Gather feedback from employees at all levels, classifications, and departments across the agency. Collect employee data related to DSS protected characteristics to allow survey results to be disaggregated by race/ethnicity, gender, etc. 02/01/2024 02/29/2024 7 Employee Engagement Perform SWOT Analysis Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the Department, including the root causes of the weakness and threats. 03/01/2024 04/01/2024 8 Communication Reinforce Communication Written context and creative communication for the change. 11/01/2023 12/31/2023 9 Communication Establish Monthly Town Halls Track progress and provide regular updates to the DSS Commissioner and/or authorized designee on workplace culture and behavioral health efforts, and progress towards creating a climate of recovery. Help to create a system of monitoring feedback to track Culture Change process and ensure transparency. 01/01/2024 01/31/2024 Location RequirementsPlease select any location requirements that apply to this position No preference Candidate must be local or willing to commute or relocate. No Additional Location Details (City, State) : This project is hybrid and will require some onsite support and participation. Background Verification Minimum Verification Requirements Please complete the following verifications with Infocubic upon candidate's selection. Additional verifications may be identified by the agency.
- Global Monitor Check
- Social Security Address Search
- Federal Criminal History
- State Criminal History
- County Criminal History
- Civil Upper Court History
- Employment Verification (7 years include current employer)
- Education Verification (highest degree completed)
- National Sex Offender Registry
Professional License: Does this position require a professional license validation? No (Suppliers Only) To order, click on the link to the right: Order Standard Background Verification MSP Instructions MSP Instructions Resume Resume Scan Required