Developmental_Playgroups_for_Children_with_Exceptional_Needs_Specifications_Sheet.pdf

Developmental Playgroups for Children with Exceptional Needs Specifications Sheet

Overview:

First 5 Sacramento centered parent and caregiver voices in the development of our 2024-2034 Strategic Plan. Through surveys and focus groups, parents told us that developmental playgroups specifically designed for children with exceptional needs and their parents / caregivers was a top desire. They also requested that playgroup leaders have expertise in working with young children with exceptional needs. An environmental scan of programs available in Sacramento County showed that no such in-person opportunities existed.

Parents of children with exceptional needs told us that they had often experienced reaching out to a program to ascertain if the needs of their children could be accommodated and hearing that they were welcome.

However, upon arrival, they would discover that the leader had no expertise in working with children like theirs. The playgroup leaders were unable to integrate these children into the activities or to help typically developing children and their families welcome and interact with them. Parents of children with exceptional needs told us they would like to have an opportunity to experience group interactions with their children designed specifically for them. They also told us they would like the opportunity to connect with other families raising children with exceptional needs.

In the 2024-27 Implementation Plan period, a contract for the provision of developmental playgroups was awarded to UC Davis MIND Institute; they have successfully carried out these playgroups beginning in the fall of 2024 and continuing through June 30, 2027. Based on a Determination of Interest process in August 2026 in which seven entities expressed their intention to apply for the funds, First 5 is releasing this competitive RFP.

Focus of Funding:

Priority: Health and Well-Being

Strategy: Developmental Playgroups for Children with Exceptional Needs

Primary Population: Children ages 0 – 5 years who have exceptional needs and their parents / caregivers who reside in Sacramento County.

Exceptional needs may include (but are not limited to) developmental delays or disabilities, motor delays or disabilities, communication delays or disabilities, hearing impairment, vision impairment, autism spectrum disorders, chronic or terminal illnesses, etc., that limit their participation and/or activities in early childhood settings. Note that children are not required to have an active IFSP or IEP in order to participate in these playgroups; participation will be at the discretion of the grantee.

Requirements: For the purposes of this RFP, we are looking for programs that are located within the community, and work directly in the community, to provide developmental playgroups in community settings for children with exceptional needs ages 0 – 5 and their parents / caregivers. These will be designed with the needs of young, medically, physically and neurologically diverse children centered and will be led by adults with expertise and experience in working with children with exceptional needs and their families in interactive group settings.

Playgroups will:

• utilize the evidence-based Pivotal Response Treatment protocol (PRT)

• have a maximum of 8 children in attendance; siblings (ages 0 – 5) of the identified children may be included at the discretion of the grantee and will not be included in the 8-child cap

• include sensory play

• foster connections among families

• meet for at least 60 minutes at least twice weekly and at least 32 weeks per year

• playgroups may be offered at different locations to engage more families and may be offered in sessions (of no less than 8 weeks) in order to engage those who may be on a waiting list

• meet in a space designed for the needs of young children and attuned to the potential for overstimulation, with quiet space available

• accommodate families who speak a language other than English

• embed intervention into naturally occurring routines like songs and play

• support peer interaction

• engage caregivers as close partners in the play and activities

Parameters:

Amount of Funding Available: A maximum of $240,000 is available cumulatively over the three-year period. We strongly recommend that an equal budget amount is maintained across all three years as a means to plan for sustainability. However, we will allow reasonable increases in the budgets (not to exceed 2% per year) for years 2 and 3 if necessary and justified.

Contractors are not allowed to front load costs in year 1 of the budget.

Note that consistent services should be provided throughout all three years.

Contract Term: July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2030

Eligibility to Apply:

• Public, private, non-profit, governmental, and faith-based organization that is located, and currently serving people, in Sacramento County

• Playgroup supervision provided by a person with at least a master’s level education in child development, developmental psychology, clinical psychology, or similar AND at least two years experience providing early intervention and family support services to children with exceptional needs

• Program has at least two year experience in supporting both young children with exceptional needs and their parents/caregivers in an interactive group setting

• Playgroup leaders have certification in and at least one year experience working with the Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) protocol; playgroup staff are trained and supervised in PRT

A single entity or consortium of entities in Sacramento County may apply.

Please note that while partnerships and subcontracts are allowed, organizations cannot apply for the funds and then re-grant the funds to other entities to provide the services.