Stabilization Case Managers

Request for Proposals [on behalf of the Fairfield County Coordinated Access Networks] Announcement:

Funding Available for staffing supporting households in Permanent Supportive Housing with Substance Use Disorders

We are looking for 3 Stabilization Case Managers with a focus on serving households in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) whose housing is at risk due to substance use disorders (SUD). Each position will service a distinct region within the Coordinated Access Network, covering Greater Bridgeport, Greater Danbury, and Greater Norwalk/Stamford. Priority for this position will go to agencies with proven track record in serving households with SUD. 

RFP #: CT0403
RFP ISSUE DATE: Wednesday October 15, 2025
DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: The deadline for questions is October 31, 2025, by 5pm. Questions and/or inquiries must be submitted in writing to Jessica Kubicki, Chief Initiative Officer, at jessica@thehousingcollective.org
PROPOSAL DUE DATE: Friday November 7, 2025 by 5pm
NOTIFICATION OF AWARD: November 21, 2025 
CONTRACT TERM: December 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026
** Ongoing funding is contingent on HUD contracting
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PROCESS: All applications must be submitted in Word format to: Lauren Sheehan, Chief Operating and Strategic Officer, at the following address: lauren@thehousingcollective.org
RFP WEBSITE: https://odi.thehousingcollective.org/funding/rfp-grants

A. BACKGROUND

a. The Housing Collective has released a funding opportunity made available through Opening Doors Fairfield County (ODFC) Continuum of Care (CoC) federal funding.

b. The Housing Collective is seeking nonprofit organization(s) to staff 3 Stabilization Case Manager positions serving households who were housed through the Coordinated Access Network in Permanent Supportive Housing and are at risk of losing their housing due to a substance use disorder. Each position will service a different region throughout the Coordinated Access Network including Greater Bridgeport, Greater Danbury, and Greater Norwalk/Stamford. Priority for this position will go to agencies with proven track record in serving households with SUD.

B. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

a. Provide targeted case management and support to households at risk of homelessness who are impacted by substance use disorders. This role involves addressing housing instability through harm reduction, housing stabilization strategies, and connection to substance use treatment and recovery services. The Case Manager works collaboratively with community partners, treatment providers, and landlords to help clients maintain housing and improve overall well-being. This position is dedicated to serving households at risk of re-entering the Fairfield County Coordinated Access Network (FFC CAN) from Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs due to substance use disorders. 

C. POSITION DESCRIPTION

a. The Stabilization Case Manager will:
i. Receive referrals from the housing case conference meetings of households in PSH at risk of losing their housing due to substance use disorders. 
ii. Assess clients’ needs related to housing security and stability.
iii. Proactively engage all clients in creative problem solving to maintain current PSH housing.
iv. Develop individualized service and recovery-informed housing stabilization plans.
v. Provide harm reduction-oriented case management, education, and support around substance use and recovery options.
vi. Ensure clients are referred to and successfully linked to all appropriate resources as quickly as possible.
vii. Proactively form linkages with community providers, including but not limited to recovery support partners.
viii. Work collaboratively with the PSH housing case manager, CAN Team, and all participating members of Opening Doors Fairfield County.
ix. Attend meetings as necessary to inform key stakeholders of housing trends and barriers.
x. Participate in trainings related to best practices and Coordinated Access Network system improvement- including but not limited to trauma-informed care, HMIS, motivational interviewing, safety planning, to ensure consistency across CAN and improved service delivery.
xi. Maintain organized files and adhere to timely data entry into HMIS, Smartsheet, and/or other data system.
xii. Participate in consistent feedback with the FC CAN staff on system performance, trends, and barriers, and participate in all evaluation measures. 
xiii. Engage consumers in feedback mechanism to ensure crisis response system can adequately address client needs.

D. FUNDING
a. The Housing Collective is in receipt of the following funds for the purpose of funding the position described herein:
  i. $85,000.00 per FTE totaling $255,00.00. 
b. Total Funding Proposed for Project: $255,000.00.  Organizations can apply for 1 to 3 FTEs.
c. Provider must demonstrate ability to meet HUD’s 25% match requirement per position through cash or in-kind contributions.

E. PROPOSAL ELIGIBILITY
a. Threshold requirements under this RFP:
  i. Organization must provide activities limited to the jurisdiction established by both Opening Doors Fairfield County and the Fairfield County Coordinated Access Networks.
 A. Organizations eligible to apply for this funding must be located within this designated jurisdiction or have demonstrated success in serving populations residing in this area.
 B. The position must be based in and primarily in service of Greater Bridgeport, Greater Danbury, and/or Greater Norwalk/Stamford.
ii.  Applicants must have experience with providing services to the CAN.
iii. Demonstrated ability to serve individuals and families at risk of homelessness with an emphasis on households who have substance use disorders.
iv. This position will be primarily community based, with a minimum of 75% of all client engagement outside of the agency office.
v. Funding is limited to increasing the staffing infrastructure to the CAN and cannot replace other funding for CAN activities already in place. Funds are identified for use to increase the existing staffing infrastructure only; use of funds for financial assistance is not permissible.
vi. Sub-contractors must provide a minimum level of staffing and service activities to ensure that this project is implemented appropriately and efficiently under the criteria established through this RFP.
vii. The Housing Collective reserves the right to reject the submission of any respondent in default of a current or prior contract.

b. Applicants will be expected to illustrate proficiency in the following as it relates to the target population:

i. Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate and complete multiple tasks simultaneously.
ii. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including telephone communication.
iii. Ability to work independently and with a group and maintain good working relationships with organizational staff and partners.
iv. Driver’s license and daily use of a reliable and properly registered and insured motor vehicle.
v. Strong computer skills.
vi. Must adhere to all professional standards and ethical practices, including creating and maintaining healthy boundaries and professional relationships with clients, co-workers, and others

c. Master’s degree in social work or equivalent degree. Years of experience can substitute education requirements.

F. STAFFING AND SERVICE EXPECTATIONS

a. Contractor awarded will be expected to hire staff capable of performing housing services duties detailed herein as soon as possible.  Priority will be given to organizations that can demonstrate an immediate start upon execution of a subcontract.
b. It is expected that leveraging services and resources from other front-line activities already in place within an applicant organization will be viewed as opportunities to capitalize on resources and may offer additional points when scored.
c. NOTE: no activities already in place, funded by DOH, the CoC, or the CAN can be replaced by these funds.

G. REPORTING EXPECTATIONS

a. It is expected that the selected organization will work with the Housing Collective to meet all reporting requirements as to be defined by Opening Doors Fairfield County (ODFC) in a timely and accurate manner.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

A. Application

 a. A responsive proposal must describe how the respondent will work collaboratively throughout the CAN region with community partners and other CAN partners and stakeholders to perform the activities required by this RFP. Proposals must include the following:

i. Organizational Background & Capacity

Mission, history, and relevant experience in PSH/homeless services.
Experience with HUD CoC grants and HMIS data entry.

ii. Staffing Plan

Proposed staff qualifications, experience, and supervision plan.
Staffing coverage during vacancies/turnover.

iii. Service Delivery Approach

Approach to trauma-informed, culturally responsive case management.
Strategies for assessment, service coordination, crisis intervention, and housing retention.

iv. Compliance & Data Management

Processes for ensuring compliance with HUD/CoC requirements.
HMIS data collection, reporting, and quality control procedures.

v. Performance Measurement

Plan for achieving and tracking performance standards.
Examples of prior outcomes demonstrating success in similar programs.

vi. Budget & Match

Proposed budget for delivering the services (aligning with $85,000 cap).
Description of cash or in-kind match contributions.

B. Evaluation Criteria 

  a. Proposals will be evaluated on the following:
   i. Demonstrated experience and organizational capacity.
  ii. Qualifications and experience of proposed staff.
 iii. Strength and clarity of service delivery approach.
 iv. Capacity for compliance, data management, and reporting.
 v. Feasibility and clarity of budget and match plan.
vi. Ability to meet performance standards.