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Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted - The Stepping Stone Group 1-9-26-2

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Agenda Item

a. RFP 25-606 School Psychological Services (Not to Exceed $250,000)

Summary: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve an extension (year 2 of 4) for RFP 25-606 for the following eight (8) vendors to Stellar Therapy Services, The Stepping Stones Group LLC, Quantum Health Professionals dba Quantum Education Professionals, Presence Learning, Inc., Horizons Psychological Assessment Center, Comprehensive Psycho-Educational Assessment Agency, Psyched About School Behavior & Educational Consulting, LLC, and SHC Services, Inc. dba Supplemental Health Care as the most responsive and responsible bidders to provide school psychological services for more than $50,000 per vendor but not to exceed a total contracted amount of $250,000.
Why: The Division of Student Services in support of the Office of School Psychological Services is seeking qualified service providers certified in Georgia to deliver supplemental school psychological services. There are currently 61 school psychologists employed with the DeKalb County School District (DCSD). School psychologists provide comprehensive psychological evaluations for students suspected of having a disability that may also potentially become eligible for special education services. They provide individual and small group counseling targeting certain students. School psychologists are actively involved in student-based meetings such as the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Tier 3, Section 504, and Special Education Eligibility where they assist with the identification of research-based interventions and review the collection of data to decide on the next steps for students. Additional resources are needed to support school psychological services, especially when absences are present due to family and medical leaves. These services will enhance DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD’s) current efforts by complementing the work of its full-time itinerant school psychologists. The Psychological Services Department continues to demonstrate measurable progress in strengthening evaluation practices with 92.6% of initial evaluations completed within required timelines and 1,593 total evaluations completed this year. Additionally, the department is actively improving compliance systems to ensure timely and comprehensive services for students. Approval of this RFP will allow the district to maintain this positive momentum by securing additional capacity to meet evaluation timelines and support continued improvement efforts.
Details: The Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued on December 19, 2024. The approved DCSD RFP process was followed. Eight (8) of the eighteen (18) vendors who responded were selected based on the following criteria: ability to provide needed staff, scope of service delivery, and experience with school-based settings. The eight selected vendors are Stellar Therapy Services, The Stepping Stones Group LLC, Quantum Health Professionals dba Quantum Education Professionals, Presence Learning, Inc., Horizons Psychological Assessment Center, Comprehensive Psycho-Educational Assessment Agency, Psyched About School Behavior & Educational Consulting, LLC, and SCH Services, Inc. dba Supplemental Health Care. No single company has been able to provide a sufficient number of school psychologists to cover the District’s needs. For this reason, it is recommended that the top eight (8) vendors selected through the RFP process be approved.
Financial impact: The contract amount from IDEA federal dollars will be $250,000.00 (Charge code: 404.2100.530000.05021.7340.2824.8010.094.2026). The financial impact is contingent upon the number of school psychologists or the number of comprehensive psychological evaluations provided through the contracted services.
Contact: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678.676.1809
Dr. Erin Broyard-Baptiste, Interim Executive Director of Exceptional Education, Division of Student Services, 678.676.1814
Mrs. Kimberly Franklin, Senior Coordinator for Psychological Services, Division of Student Services, 678.676.2222
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Pending Legal Approval
                               Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: The Stepping Stone Group Evaluator: Kimberly Franklin

                                                        Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
                                                         Agree    (4)    (3)      (2)   Disagree
                                                           (5)                             (1)
 Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process                 X
 and staff are available when needed
 Vendor provides substitute staff when needed                     X
 Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works                 X
 with District Administrators to resolve issues and
 concerns
 Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff             X
 and completes employee evaluations
 Vendor provides orientation and training for                     X
 school-based positions
 Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed                 X
 and trained to complete assignment before being
 placed
                                                Total             24


Comments:
                               Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Supplemental Health Care Evaluator: Kimberly Franklin

                                                        Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
                                                         Agree    (4)    (3)      (2)   Disagree
                                                           (5)                             (1)
 Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process                 X
 and staff are available when needed
 Vendor provides substitute staff when needed                     X
 Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works                 X
 with District Administrators to resolve issues and
 concerns
 Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff             X
 and completes employee evaluations
 Vendor provides orientation and training for                     X
 school-based positions
 Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed                 X
 and trained to complete assignment before being
 placed
                                                Total             24


Comments:
                               Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Stellar Therapy Evaluator: Kimberly Franklin

                                                        Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
                                                         Agree    (4)    (3)      (2)   Disagree
                                                           (5)                             (1)
 Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process                 X
 and staff are available when needed
 Vendor provides substitute staff when needed                     X
 Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works                 X
 with District Administrators to resolve issues and
 concerns
 Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff             X
 and completes employee evaluations
 Vendor provides orientation and training for                     X
 school-based positions
 Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed                 X
 and trained to complete assignment before being
 placed
                                                Total             24


Comments:
                               Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Quantum Education Professionals Evaluator: Kimberly Franklin

                                                        Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
                                                         Agree    (4)    (3)      (2)   Disagree
                                                           (5)                             (1)
 Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process                        X
 and staff are available when needed
 Vendor provides substitute staff when needed                                X
 Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works                            X
 with District Administrators to resolve issues and
 concerns
 Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff                        X
 and completes employee evaluations
 Vendor provides orientation and training for                                X
 school-based positions
 Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed                            X
 and trained to complete assignment before being
 placed
                                                Total                   18


Comments:
                               Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Psyched About School Behavior& Education Consulting Evaluator: Kimberly Franklin

                                                        Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
                                                         Agree    (4)    (3)      (2)   Disagree
                                                           (5)                             (1)
 Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process                        X
 and staff are available when needed
 Vendor provides substitute staff when needed                                X
 Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works                            X
 with District Administrators to resolve issues and
 concerns
 Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff                        X
 and completes employee evaluations
 Vendor provides orientation and training for                                X
 school-based positions
 Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed                            X
 and trained to complete assignments before being
 placed
                                                Total                   18


Comments:
                               Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Presence Learning Evaluator: Kimberly Franklin

                                                        Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
                                                         Agree    (4)    (3)      (2)   Disagree
                                                           (5)                             (1)
 Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process                 X
 and staff are available when needed
 Vendor provides substitute staff when needed                     X
 Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works                 X
 with District Administrators to resolve issues and
 concerns
 Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff             X
 and completes employee evaluations
 Vendor provides orientation and training for                     X
 school-based positions
 Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed                 X
 and trained to complete assignment before being
 placed
                                                Total             24


Comments:
                               Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Horizons Psychological Assessment Center Evaluator: Kimberly Franklin

                                                        Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
                                                         Agree    (4)    (3)      (2)   Disagree
                                                           (5)                             (1)
 Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process                 X
 and staff are available when needed
 Vendor provides substitute staff when needed                     X
 Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works                 X
 with District Administrators to resolve issues and
 concerns
 Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff             X
 and completes employee evaluations
 Vendor provides orientation and training for                     X
 school-based positions
 Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed                 X
 and trained to complete assignments before being
 placed
                                                Total             24


Comments:
                               Evaluation of Vendor Providing Contracted Staff
Vendor Name: Comprehensive Psychoeducational Assessment Agency (CPAA) Evaluator: Kimberly Franklin

                                                        Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
                                                         Agree    (4)    (3)      (2)   Disagree
                                                           (5)                             (1)
 Vendor has a strong recruiting and hiring process                 X
 and staff are available when needed
 Vendor provides substitute staff when needed                     X
 Vendor provides a liaison that effectively works                 X
 with District Administrators to resolve issues and
 concerns
 Vendor provides supervisory visits to contract staff             X
 and completes employee evaluations
 Vendor provides orientation and training for                     X
 school-based positions
 Vendor ensures staff are adequately credentialed                 X
 and trained to complete assignment before being
 placed
                                                Total             24


Comments: