Agenda Item
b. RFP 24-187 for Speech-Language, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services for Students with Disabilities (Extension: Year 3 of 5) (Not to Exceed $9,500,000)
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve an extension (year 3 of 5) 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 (TTF Solutions, LLC); Supplemental Healthcare (SHC Services); ProCare Therapy (New Directions Solutions, LLC); Community Rehab Associates, Inc. (CRA Therapy); Tandym Group, LLC; AMN Allied Services, LLC; American Medical Staffing, Inc.; Maxim Healthcare Services Holdings, Inc. (Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc.); ESS Clinical (Academic Staffing); Pediatric Developmental Services (Therapy Spot); Epic Special Education Staffing; Verbal Expressions, Inc.; General Healthcare Resources (GHR Education); Total Communication Therapy (CBR Therapy Consultants); E-Therapy, LLC; Advokids, LLC; SenseAbilities Inc; Sunbelt Staffing; and Progressus Therapy LLC as the most responsive and responsible bidders to provide speech language, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy services for more than $100,000 per vendor but not to exceed $9,500,000. To date, there are no Speech Language vacancies as all student needs are currently being met through the provision of services by District employees and contracted service providers.
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 for 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.
Initially, the twenty-seven (27) 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.
To date, the twenty-three (23) vendors who have accepted renewal extensions (year 3 of 5) under RFP 24-187 are Applied Pediatrics, Inc; The Stepping Stones Group; Comprehensive Therapy Consultants; Orange Tree Staffing; Soliant Health (TTF Solutions, LLC); Supplemental Healthcare (SHC Services); ProCare Therapy (New Directions Solutions, LLC); Community Rehab Associates, Inc. (CRA Therapy); Tandym Group, LLC; AMN Allied Services, LLC; American Medical Staffing, Inc.; Maxim Healthcare Services Holdings, Inc. (Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc.); ESS Clinical (Academic Staffing); Pediatric Developmental Services (Therapy Spot); Epic Special Education Staffing; Verbal Expressions, Inc.; General Healthcare Resources (GHR Education); Total Communication Therapy (CBR Therapy Consultants); E-Therapy, LLC; Advokids, LLC.; SenseAbilities Inc; Sunbelt Staffing; and Progressus Therapy 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 twenty-three (23) vendors that returned the renewal acceptance letter and were 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. The approval of this extension would be year 3 of 5.
Financial impact: The contract amount from the general budget will be $4,750,000 (Charge code: 100.2100.530000.00011.7340.2021.8010.094.0000) and $4,750,000 from IDEA federal dollars (Charge code: 404.2100.530000.05021.7340.2824.8010.094.2026). The financial impact is contingent upon the number of therapists provided through contracted services. The current rate for these services is $62.50 per hour.
Contact: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services , Division of Student Services, 678-676-1885
Dr. Erin Broyard-Baptiste, Interim Executive Director, Exceptional Education, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1814
Effective: February 2026 - February 2027
Status: Attorney Approval Provided during Initial RFP Process in January 2024
DeKalb County Board of Education Summary
Contracted Speech and Related Services
To ensure compliance with federal and state mandates for students with Individualized Education Programs
(IEPs) and 504 Plans, the district must secure adequate speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists
(OTs), and physical therapists (PTs).
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504
require timely provision of related services.
Need for Contract Failure to deliver these services can result in due process complaints,
state monitoring findings, and potential legal liability.
Delays in therapy services negatively impact academic progress,
communication, motor skills, and overall access to education.
Contracting ensures equitable service delivery across all schools.
Overview of Services Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
Direct therapy for students with communication disorders
(articulation, language, fluency, voice).
Assessments and evaluations for initial and triennial IEPs.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Direct therapy for students/Fine motor and sensory integration
support for students with functional needs.
Assistive technology recommendations and classroom adaptations.
IEP goal development and progress monitoring.
Physical Therapy (PT)
Direct therapy for students/Gross motor skill development and
mobility support.
Adaptive equipment recommendations for accessibility.
Collaboration with school staP for safe participation in school
activities.
Current Speech and Related Services DCSD Employees and Contracted Currently, there are 53 full-time SLPs and two retired, part-time SLPs,
StaP 28 Occupational Therapists and 11 Physical Therapists who are
district employees. There are currently 80 SLPs, 4 Occupational
Therapists and 1 Physical Therapist contracted for services for
students with disabilities.
Why do Speech and Related Services shortages Exist? Nationwide and regional shortages of SLPs, OTs, and PTs have made
recruitment and retention challenging.
Contracting ensures continuity of services when district staffing
cannot meet demand.
Nearly 48% of school districts have trouble filling SLP roles, with
approximately 64% having vacancies at any given time.
Enrollment in OT programs has declined: master’s/doctorate
applications dropped by ~23% in recent years.
As of 2022, there were ~233,890 full-time equivalent PTs in the U.S.,
with a shortfall of ~12,070 FTEs (5.2%).
Resources:
https://communityimpact.com/houston/bay-
area/education/2025/08/21/finding-their-voice-ccisd-looks-to-
alternatives-amid-speech-language-pathologist-shortage/
https://wota.net/page-18122/13401029
https://www.apta.org/news/2025/03/04/workforce-forecast-2022-
2037
Speech, OT, and PT services for students with IEPs are eligible for
Medicaid reimbursement.
Anticipated Medicaid Reimbursement Benefits Reimbursement reduces expense, making contracted services
financially sustainable.
Funding recovered can be reinvested into special education programs.