Speech Pathologist

Request For Proposal - Speech Pathologist (1 or More Positions)

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Early Childhood Services The CSKT Early Childhood Services Department is requesting bids for speech/language services for the period of September 2024 to September 30, 2026.

Scope of work: CSKT Early Childhood Services has an enrollment of about 300 children ranging from 0 to 5 years of age. Children are screened at least 2 times per school year. In some cases it is recommended that speech/language services may be needed. Head Start/ Early Head Start locations are on the Flathead Reservation – 1 center in Polson, 1 center in Turtle Lake, 2 centers in Pablo, 3 centers in Ronan, 3 centers in Mission, 1 center in Arlee and the potential of home-based services for children 0-5 not enrolled in the program. The Speech Pathologist will be coordinating with the ECS Special Services Coordinator on referrals for children to receive services. An evaluation will be done by the Speech Pathologist and recommended services will be discussed with the Special Services Coordinator. Once services are started the Speech Pathologist will need to keep case notes on the children they provide services to and keep the Special Services Coordinator updated weekly. Consultation may be requested by parents and/or Early Childhood Services staff on an as needed basis. It is required that the Speech Pathologist be a provider for Medicaid. The Speech Pathologist will be responsible for billing Medicaid or private insurance for the eligible children that receive services. Early Childhood Services will only cover costs for the children who are not on Medicaid or private insurance. It is required that the Pathologist spend at least 80% of his/her time on direct therapy with the child(ren); 15% of his/her time on documentation; and 5% of time on staffing/parent consulting. It is the Speech Pathologist’s responsibility to provide own training (CEUs) and licensing requirements. ECS will pay mileage from the ECS administrative building to various sites at the federal mileage rate. Specific assessment materials will be provided by ECS. The Speech/Language services will be needed for variable hours, but will not exceed 40 hours per week. Early Childhood Services operates from 8 am – 4:30 pm – Monday- Friday. Children are in the centers Monday – Thursday/Friday, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm.

Proposal requirements: Proposals must include 1.) Professional license in the area of Speech/language services. Documented specialized knowledge. Relevant work experience must be shown in a resume or curriculum vitae, including outline of qualifications and appropriate credentials (copies of professional license, specialized training, etc.), and professional references. 2.) Ability to commit up to 40 hours per week to the provision of this service. 3.) Proof of liability insurance or proof that the individual is an independent contractor. 4.) Proof of Workman’s Comp or exemption certificate. 5.) Description of recent experience in doing this type of work. 6.) Detailed description of cost required to provide this service. Responses should be clear in terms of incidental costs, as well as hourly rates, travel expenses, etc. All proposals are negotiable between Early Childhood Services and the contractor. Proposals must be received by 4:30 on Thursday June 27, 2024. Mailing address: Early Childhood Services-PO Box 1510- 35455 Mission Drive- St. Ignatius, MT 59865, ATTN: Speech Pathologist RFP. The proposals will be reviewed with a decision made in 10 15 working days after bid closing. This is an Indian Preference Proposal. We reserve the right to refuse any or all bids. For more information contact Carrie Antoine or Jody Jones at 406-745-4509. Indian Preference Certification This is an Indian preference bid and Tribal contractors who wish to receive Indian preference must obtain a certification by the Indian preference office as a legitimate Indian-owned business prior to submission of the bids. This certification must be included with your RFP response. The selection of the successful contractor and award of this project will be per the provisions of the CSKT Indian Preference Ordinance 101A. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder/respondent to obtain and provide proof of Indian Preference certification from the Indian Preference Office. ---------------------------------------------------------- All proposals will become the property of the CSKT Early Childhood Services. The Tribes reserve the right to accept and reject and negotiate any element of any proposals received.