1. What is all this hoopla about the DOE Bid?

Every 3 to 5 years the New York City Department of Education puts out an RFP (Request for Proposals) for agencies to supply occupational, physical, and speech therapists (the Department of Education refers to them as “Related Services”) to provide treatment to mandated children in public and private schools. Every agency interested in securing this work submits a mammoth bid document to the New York City Department of Education. The outcome of the bid determines which agencies will get the opportunity to provide these services in the various school regions in the Fall of 2012.

2. What is this “sign on”, “sign up”, “fill out the form” that everyone is pestering me about?

The bidding process requires agencies to demonstrate that they have qualified providers interested in work. Your sign-up sheet and license is the documentation the Department of Education (DOE) seeks to show that agencies have interested providers. (Note: The Department of Education allows therapists to sign on with more than one agency provided they sign up for part time status with each one.) When the bid is finally awarded for the next school year, all providers are free to accept work from whatever agency they choose.

3. Why should I sign up with Therapeutic Resources?

Therapeutic Resources is owned and operated by occupational therapists who have been in the therapy placement business for over 25 years. We understand the needs of therapists and are totally committed to their satisfaction. We have a longstanding relationship with the DOE, having held related service contracts for almost twenty years. In addition to DOE, we offer the opportunity to work in many different practice areas including early intervention, therapeutic preschools, adult home care and long term care settings. We can put together a dynamic caseload to meet your needs and interests.

4. What if I never worked for the public school system before? Will you show me the ropes?

We sure will! Our DOE coordinators will create a custom caseload based on your preferences, and will orient you to the billing, payment and documentation systems. Therapeutic Resources will provide you with ongoing professional education to enable you to deliver the best interventions along with a “mentor” to answer your clinical questions and concerns.

5. What’s in this for me?

By signing up with Therapeutic Resources, you not only have the chance to be the first to choose a caseload of children in the districts we win, but you can attend A FREE SEMINAR that will:

• Increase your knowledge about school based intervention
• Provide you with continuing education credits that keep you current
• Allow you to network with other colleagues in the field.

6. What are the free seminars?

• **Top Ten Therapy Interventions in the Classroom
• **Working with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in a School Based Setting

7. I’m in! What do I do next?

• Call Wendy, our Department of Education Coordinator at 212-589-1215. She will answer your questions, explain the next steps and arrange for a sign on packet to be sent to you.
• Next, we will ask you to sign the Department of Education (DOE) “Sign-up” Form and return it to us with your New York State license for inclusion in the bid process.