FY2027 CFCE Grant Application Amendment Arlington Lexington.docx

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care FY2027 Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Grant (Fund Code 237) Amendment to Required Services and Deliverables July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2028

This document amends the following sections to the original contracts awarded by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in July 2023 in response to a Grant Application/RFR with initial thirty-six (36) month contract with one (1) option to renew for a period of two (2) years, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028.

PROCUREMENT INFORMATION (Original Grant Application/RFR Page 1) COMMBUYS Bid Number: BD-27-1037-1CEN0-C0000-133711 DESCRIPTION OF PROCUREMENT (Original Grant Application/RFR Page 3) EEC is releasing this competitive procurement to award grants to applicants who will provide Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) services in the towns of Arlington and Lexington to meet the needs of the children and families in those communities.

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF AWARDS (Original Grant Application/RFR Page 3) The Estimated Number of Awards section is amended for this competitive rebid as follows:

EEC expects to award up to $41,886.00 to a maximum of two grantees to serve the towns of Arlington and Lexington.

EEC may award more or fewer grants, if it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth. COMMBUYS vendors are hereby referred to as applicants for the purpose of this procurement.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (Original Grant Application/RFR Page 3) The MBTA Communities Act, G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, requires 177 cities and towns that have - or border communities with - MBTA rapid transit or commuter rail stops to zone for multi-family development. The Commonwealth's standard terms and conditions applicable to grant awards require recipients to certify that they will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws (which includes the MBTA Communities Act).

Which EEC grants are subject to the MBTA Communities Act?

All discretionary state grants that EEC has with any of the 177 cities and towns that are subject to the MBTA Communities Act. This includes CPPI, CFCE, and any other grants EEC has with these cities/towns.

When a grant must be reviewed for compliance with the MBTA Communities Act:

The grant must be evaluated for compliance (1) at the time of award, and (2) at the time of contracting. If a municipality is found to be out of compliance at either point, they are no longer eligible to receive the grant. However, if a municipality falls out of compliance after contracting, the awards shall not be rescinded.

The receipt of Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant Application/RFR grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

EXPECTED DURATION (Original Grant Application/RFR Page 4)

Initial Duration

Six (6) months, from January 4, 2027, to June 30, 2027.

Total Maximum Grant Duration

One year and six months from January 4, 2027, to June 30, 2028.

REQUIRED SERVICES/DELIVERABLES (Original Grant Application/RFR Page 5) I. CFCE Governance Structure and Staffing The vision, mission, and goals of a CFCE lead agency must align with the priorities and deliverables of the CFCE grant. Lead agencies must demonstrate a clear commitment to the successful oversight and implementation of this grant.

Lead agencies must:

Bullets A through H remain the same. The following requirements are added:

I. Work with EEC to implement a new CFCE name, messaging and visual identity.

J. Participate in rebranding implementation training and support provided by EEC.

K. Use brand guidelines and implementation materials developed for grantees.

L. Use renewal grant funds, as appropriate, to support local rebranding activities.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Original Grant Application/RFR Page 18) All questions regarding this Grant Application must be submitted in writing via COMMBUYS by October 5, 2026, by 4 PM. In response, EEC will answer questions through COMMBUYS, estimated to be released by October 13, 2026.

ONLINE APPLCATION SUBMISSION (Original Grant Application/RFR Page 18-19) Before submitting an application in EEC Finance, please see the instructions under the Intent to Bid.

Once Applicants have been notified they can complete and submit the grant application, by clicking on the following link: EEC Finance Home.

Please follow the instructions in Appendix A: FY2027 CFCE EEC Finance Application Instructions.

ESTIMATED GRANT CALENDAR (Original Grant Application/RFR Page 19-20)

Intent to Bid:

If not currently registered in EEC Finance, go to UAA Set Up Form. Submit the completed UAA Form to EECSubmission@mass.gov.

*Note - Applicants will not have access to complete the grant application until receipt of the intent to bid is confirmed by EEC.

Note: The final grant calendar should supersede the original FY2024 procurement dates contained in the base Grant Application/RFR for purposes of this competitive rebid.

APPENDIX L - FY2027 CFCE FAMILY SURVEY (This information is replacing the original Appendix L) Administration. The survey is to be conducted via the program’s individual QR code provided by EEC.

CFCE participant responses to this survey will help EEC better understand how families use Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) programs and how the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can better support families. Survey findings are intended to reflect the range of experiences across the state and individual CFCE programs.

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) will use the information gathered from responses to improve CFCE programs and to report to key stakeholders on the status of early education and care in local communities. EEC may share survey responses with EEC staff and EEC-approved researchers, or as required by public disclosure rules.

1. What is your relationship to the child(ren) participating in Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) activities?

☐ Mother ☐ Father ☐ Grandparent ☐ Aunt / Uncle ☐ Friend of family ☐ Non-relative Guardian / Caregiver ☐ Not named above - Write In (Required): _______________________

2. After attending a CFCE activity, do you use Dialogic Reading strategies more often with your child? Dialogic Reading is an interactive form of reading, such as asking your child question prompts about the story as you read.

☐ Yes ☐ No

3. Were you invited to complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) when you attended a CFCE activity? This is a questionnaire that asks about what your child knows and what your child can do.

☐ Yes ☐ No

4. How did you hear about the CFCE program you attended? Select all that apply.

☐ CFCE Program Flyer ☐ CFCE Website ☐ Social Media ☐ E-newsletter ☐ Friend / Neighbor ☐ Family member ☐ Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR) Agency ☐ Child Care Provider ☐ Library ☐ Public School ☐ Private School ☐ Early Intervention ☐ I’m not sure ☐ Other - Please specify: _____________________

5. Why did you participate in CFCE Activities? Select all that apply.

☐ To allow my child to interact with other children ☐ To meet other parents ☐ To better understand and learn about child development ☐ To support my child’s early literacy and learning skills ☐ To get connected to a Child Care program ☐ To get connected to services such as Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC), Early Intervention (EI), and/or other community resources.

☐ Other - Please specify: _____________________

6. What types of CFCE services have you used? Select all that apply.

☐ I’ve attended playgroups ☐ I’ve been connected to a Child Care program or Public School ☐ I’ve been referred to community services such as WIC, early intervention, and/or other community resources, etc.

☐ I was invited to complete an Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ - this is a questionnaire that asks you about what your child knows and can do) ☐ I’ve attended Parent Education Workshops ☐ I participated in ParentChild+ Home Visiting ☐ Other - Please specify: _____________________

7. On average, how often do you participate in CFCE activities?

☐ I participated once ☐ I participate less than once a month ☐ I participate once a month ☐ I participate two to three times a month ☐ I participate weekly ☐ I participate more than once a week ☐ I’m not sure

8. Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about your CFCE experience?

☐ Open-ended response: ______________________________________________________________

GENERAL EFFECT OF THIS CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT

Other than the specific modifications stated in this consolidated amendment, this amendment does not alter or change any other part of the original Grant Application/RFR.

EEC, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to modify reporting requirements and/or add additional reporting requirements not found in this RFR. EEC may withhold funding to any grantee or terminate or reduce funding to any grantee, if the grantee fails to submit quarterly reports and/or annual reports, as required, or otherwise fails to comply with the reporting requirements within this RFR or with any modified reporting requirements. Any changes to reporting requirements shall be made with at least 90 days’ notice to Grantees.

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