Agenda Item
a. RFP 24-187 for Speech-Language, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services (Not to exceed $9,000,000)
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the award for RFP 24-187 for Speech Language, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy Services to Applied Pediatrics, Inc; The Stepping Stones Group; Comprehensive Therapy Consultants; Orange Tree Staffing; Soliant Health, LLC; SHC Services, Inc.; Invo Healthcare Associates, LLC ProCare Therapy; CRA Therapy; Sunbelt Staffing LLC; Tandym Group, LLC; Pediatric Developmental Services; AMN Allied Services, LLC; American Medical Staffing, Inc.; Maxim Healthcare Staffing Services, Inc.; Academic Staffing, Inc.; Epic Special Education Staffing; Kadiant LLC; Verbal Expressions, Inc.; GHR Education; Total Communication Therapy; Kidz Speak Therapeutic Services; E-Therapy LLC; Senseabilities, Inc.; Speech Teachers of North Georgia LLC; Advokids LLC; and CareerStaff Unlimited, LLC as the most responsive and responsible bidders to provide speech language, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy services for more than $100,000.00 per vendor but not to exceed $9,000,000.00.
Why: Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, related services may include speech language, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy services. IDEA and Section 504 mandate the inclusion of speech language, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy services for students whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 Individualized Accommodation Plans (IAPs) stipulate these services are required in order for the students to equitably access their education.
Details: The Request for Proposals 24-187: Speech Language, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy Services was issued August 24, 2023 with responses reviewed through November 17, 2023. The DCSD RFP process was followed. Twenty-seven of the thirty-three vendors that responded were selected based on the following criteria for providing services for students with disabilities in a public-school setting: ability to provide needed staff, hourly rates, and experience with school-based settings. The 27 selected vendors are Applied Pediatrics, Inc; The Stepping Stones Group; Comprehensive Therapy Consultants; Orange Therapy Staffing; Soliant Health, LLC; SHC Services, Inc.; Invo Healthcare Associates, LLC; ProCare Therapy: CRA Therapy; Sunbelt Staffing LLC; Tandym Group, LLC; Pediatric Developmental Services; AMN Allied Services, LLC; American Medical Staffing, Inc.; Maxim Healthcare Staffing Services, Inc.; Academic Staffing, Inc.; Epic Special Education Staffing; Kadiant LLC; Verbal Expressions, Inc.; GHR Education; Total Communication Therapy; Kidz Speak Therapeutic Services; E-Therapy LLC; Senseabilities, Inc.; Speech Teachers of North Georgia LLC; Advokids LLC; and CareerStaff Unlimited, LLC.
No single company has been able to provide a sufficient number of speech language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), and physical therapists (PTs) to cover students’ needs. For this reason, it is recommended that the top twenty-seven vendors selected through the RFP process be approved. The initial contract duration shall be approximately one year from the date of execution. The contract may include up to four (4) one (1) year extension options contingent on DCSD’s offer to such extension, the successful offeror’s acceptance, and the approval of the DeKalb County Board of Education to extend the contract.
Financial impact: The contract amount from the general budget will be $4,500,000 (Charge code: 100.2100.530000.00011.7340.2021.8010.035.0000) and $4,500,000 from IDEA federal dollars (Charge code: 404.2100.530000.05021.7340.2824.8010.035.0000). The financial impact is contingent upon the number of therapists provided through contracted services. The current rate for these services is $62.50-$150.00 per hour.
Contact: Ms. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678,676.0731
Mrs. Kiana King, Director of Special Education, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.1885
Effective: January 9, 2024 - January 8, 2029, with required annual Board approval
Status: Approved by General Counsel
CHRONOLOGY OF THE AGENDA ITEM
RFP 24-187 (Speech-Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy)
Start-Up – item is in its first stage of operation; establishing a new function or operation
Vacancies of therapists have increased nationally over the last few years. No single company
has been able to provide enough speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists
(OTs), and physical therapists (PTs) to cover DeKalb’s needs. DeKalb County School District
(DCSD) has been unable to fill all vacancies when employees resign or retire. Currently, there
are 46 full-time SLPs and one (1) retired, part-time SLP who are district employees in addition to
the positions currently filled by contracted employees. The cost incurred by these vendors, due
to the hourly rate and number of speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and
physical therapists needed, exceeded $100,000 for the 2022-23 school year. The year 2023-24
cost is approximately $342,710.76. This amount includes invoice amounts yet to be paid.
Currently, there are no full-time speech language pathologists; four (4) occupational therapists
and one (1) physical therapist who supports students with 504 plans. The cost incurred by these
vendors, due to the hourly rate and number of occupational therapists and physical therapists
needed, exceeded $100,000 for the 2022-23 school year. Year-to-date 2023-24 cost is
approximately $38,676.40. This amount includes invoice amounts yet to be paid.
It is anticipated that the number of contracted therapists for the 2024-25 school year will
increase from the previous school year. The number of contracted therapists required may be
higher if the District is unable to hire employees as replacements for those who resign or retire
from the District.
The chart below provides a historical perspective of the number of contracted staff from each
agency required to meet student needs.
History of Contracted Services for Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy
AGENCY 2023 – 2024 2022 - 2023 2021-2022 2020-2021
(To Date)
Advokids 5 4 4 3
Atlanta Ped. 5 7 6 2
Therapy/Applied
Pediatrics
Cobb Pediatric 21 27 22 24
Community 2 2 2 0
Rehab Assoc.
Comprehensive 2 0 1 1
Therapy
*EBS N/A N/A 14 22
EDU Healthcare 1 2 1 2
(Providastaff)
Orange Tree 2 1 1 2
PDS/Therapy Spot 5 5 1 3
Progressus 2 2 5 8
Invohealthcare
Soliant/TIF 7 4 3 2
Solutions
Totals: 52 54 60 69
Financial Impact: $381,387.36 $446,899.21 $4,550,271.79 $4,881,143.84
*EBS is no longer a vendor due to merging with Cobb Pediatrics (The Stepping Stone Group)