The Release Notes for LEADER Build #214 dated 04/25/08 have been posted to the Diligence Library:

http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/LRS_RFP/pdf/buildnotes/LDR%20Build%20214_04252008.pdf

Addendum Number Five to RFP # ESD 07-02 and all Request for Proposals (RFP) sections and appendices updated by Addendum Number Five are posted to the LEADER Replacement System Project website at: http://www.ladpss.org/dpss/LRS_RFP/default.cfm.

RFP documents added or updated by this Addendum are identified by Addendumnumber and date. Those RFP documents which remain unchanged will continue toshow the original RFP release date of November 30, 2007. Modified, deleted, and newtexts appear as tracked changes with a vertical line in the margin of the page.

This is to notify you that County is preparing an Addendum to RFP #ESD 07-02 to provide County the option to exclude the functionality to replace the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Systems related to Foster Care Programs, Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program (Kin-GAP), and Adoption Assistance Program (AAP). This Addendum is necessary to address recent direction received from the State.

County plans to release this Addendum in April 2008.  As a result, the proposal submission deadline is postponed to May 2008.  Specific dates will be provided in the Addendum.

Pursuant to RFP Subsection 4.2 (County Point of Contact and RFP Communications), all contacts regarding this RFP or any matter relating thereto must be in writing and emailed, to County's point of contact in accordance with the provisions of such Subsection.  Proposers are specifically directed not to contact any other County person or agent, the State or federal governments, or LRS procurement team members for any matters related to this RFP.  Failure to adhere to this policy shall result in elimination of the Proposer from further consideration, as determined by County.

On a warm and sunny Saturday morning near Downtown Los Angeles, the fountain in Echo Park Lake was spraying a cool mist all across the horizon. The ducks didn't seem to mind the splash of refreshment as they playfully swam in a zig-zag across the lake. Even the volunteers setting up for the event at 7:00 a.m. had welcoming grins toward the breezy wetness.

The 31^st Annual Lotus Festival was held on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 & 13, 2008 and Toy Loan & Volunteer Services was there to represent the Department of Public Social Services on Saturday. Hundreds of children from all over Los Angeles and even from parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands stopped by the Toy Loan booth to receive small toy giveaways as the parents were educated on the benefits of the Toy Loan Program. Although the focus of Toy Loan was to make the children happy, the festival was aimed at educating the community on the culture of some of our neighbors here in Los Angeles.

The lotus flower is significant to the Asian cultures as a symbol of rebirth, purity and life. The festival is held in July when the lotus flower blooms. Echo Park Lake was selected as the site for the event due to its central location of local Asian and Pacific Islander communities and because it houses the largest lotus bed in the United States. The festival was originally named "The Day of the Lotus", and the purpose was to promote an awareness and understanding of the contributions by the Asian and Pacific Islander people to our culture and to the local and surrounding communities.

All-in-all, this was another successful event for Toy Loan and for the kids of L.A. County. The proof was in the huge smiles on the children's faces as they happily skipped away from the Toy Loan booth with their toys.

On Saturday, February 23, 2008, Toy Loan & Volunteer Services will be once again on Skid Row (Towne Ave between 6th & 5th) helping to serve a hot meal to almost 3,000 expected individuals and families at this event. Please join us for another great opportunity to serve. Contact your Office Volunteer Liaison or Rafael Navarro, Departmental Volunteer Coordinator for more information (213) 744-4348.Last Years Event:

On a cool yet sunny day in mid-February, 112 hard-working individuals stood in line waiting for plates of food so they could serve others, prepared and handed out "goody bags" to all who came by and even cooked up a storm as they tried to keep up with the fast-paced demand of feeding 3,500 hungry citizens of Los Angeles. Toy Loan & Volunteer Services was hard at work at the "Friends Serving Friends, Annual Homeless Feed," sponsored by Mothers-In-Action and the Brotherhood Crusade. Many DPSS volunteers were happily helping out other vendors at their booths doing various different duties.

Everything was on schedule, working like clockwork, all booths were running full speed ahead, but one. Unfortunately the most anticipated booth, by both children and adults, the cotton candy and popcorn booth, was empty. The owner of the booth had to run to another event and her staff that was scheduled to run the booth had called in sick. It looked like no one would be enjoying popcorn or cotton candy.

Just then five DPSS volunteers stepped up and offered their help. Federico Mora and Eric Carter from Wilshire Special, Carolyn Johnson from Medi-Cal Outstation East, Am Demeissie from GAIN Region III and Genesse Menjivar, an employee's daughter all agreed to man the booth until all the "honored guests" were happily satisfied with their share of the warm, crunchy, yellow, air-popped kernels and the sugary, soft, pastel-colored cotton candy that melts in your mouth.

It is the dedication and self-less acts of volunteers such as these men and women that represent the ideals that DPSS strives for. On a daily basis our employees exemplify the values of the Department's mission statement, "To Enrich Lives Through Effective and Caring Service." It is only occasionally that we are able to publicly recognize the ones that stand out, such as the people mentioned above. With our deepest gratitude, we thank each and every one that volunteers for our DPSS Volunteer Services events.

Lend a 'Helping Hand'&Participate in DPSS' Adopt-A-Family Program

Bring joy to someone's life this holiday season and become a sponsor in the Department of Public and Social Services (DPSS) Adopt-A-Family program. Each year, this heartfelt and longstanding tradition continues to bring smiles to hundreds of needy families served by DPSS.

L.A. County staff, individuals, groups, community members, and local businesses can all participate in this joyous and gratifying event (as sponsors). Sponsors are provided with the "adoptee's" contact information along with their "wish list" of requested items. These items range from grocery items, clothing, gift wishes, or toy requests. The 'Spirit of Giving' is contagious and numerous volunteers who in past years have participated in this program have voiced this heartfelt sentiment. Volunteers so enjoy participating in the program that some gather together family, friends, and co-workers and hold "gift basket parties" where each person contributes items and their personal touch to the specially prepared holiday baskets. This activity is fun for the volunteers and a delight for the beneficiaries to receive!

The Adopt-A-Family program's continued success can be attributed to the hundreds of volunteers that see the program as a worthwhile endeavor and generously donate their time and gifts. Los Angeles is fortunate to have caring people sharing and bringing joy to those in need.

The Adopt-a-Family program is the gift that can be enjoyed and cherished year-round by the Adoptee and the Sponsor alike. If you, a group of co-workers, family members, or friends are looking to make a difference this Holiday Season, the Adopt-A-Family is the program for you. Choose to make a difference in someone's life this holiday season and keep the spirit of effective and caring service alive. To get started call Rafael Navarro, DPSS Volunteer Services Program Coordinator, at (213) 744-4348 no later than Thursday, November 29, 2007.

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is assessing the feasibility of releasing a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for a contract providing: (1) (a) system management/operations and telecommunications, and (b) application software modifications and/or enhancements associated with legal and policy changes, for the Los Angeles Eligibility, Automated Determination, Evaluation and Reporting (LEADER) System; and (2) taking over the existing vendor's contractual obligations, including assisting the County in data conversion from the LEADER System to the LEADER Replacement System (LRS).

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to help DPSS determine the level of interest in the vendor community with regard to the possible release of an RFP for a contract to provide the above referenced goods and services. We are asking that you respond to this RFI by September 15, 2008, indicating your company's willingness to respond to a possible future RFP.

Please be aware that this RFI is unrelated to the LEADER Replacement System (LRS) Request for Proposals (RFP).