BACKGROUND:
The Family and Children's Trust Committee (FACT) developed Request for Proposals #1151 following an extensive needs assessment process. The process included web-based surveys to service providers and consumers, meetings with key stakeholders, and a review of current needs and assessment of data and literature. The service categories for the use of FACT funds for the fiscal year 2017-18, which emerged from the needs assessment process, are to be solicited through the open bid process, RFP 1151, include:
1) Support for children with special needs and/or mental health needs and their families;
2) Parenting education services including information and referral support services;
3) Evidence based or evidence informed afterschool programs or school based programs;
4) Early intervention services that focus on one or more of the following:
a. prevention and early intervention, family violence services including child abuse and domestic violence services, and/or,
b. bullying/gang violence awareness and prevention, and /or,
c. mental health services.
The period of funding for the resulting contracts will be July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 with the option for a one-year renewal, pending service need, availability of funds, and provision quality services with successful outcomes as determined by the FACT Committee's ongoing monitoring and evaluation process.
All funded programs must support culturally and linguistically appropriate services. All programs must include services for families involved with or at risk of becoming involved with child welfare.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without authorization for release of the Request for Proposals #1151, Family and Children's Trust Committee (FACT), funding for prevention and intervention services to abused and neglected children and children at risk of abuse or neglect and their families could not be provided to organizations thereby, eliminating programs supported by FACT dollars.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Contracts resulting from the RFP will support all five of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card, 1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; 2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; 3) "Families that are Economically Self Sufficient; 4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing; and, 5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families" by reducing the occurrence of child abuse and neglect, and providing support services and guidance to strengthen the family unit.