Request for Applications (RFA) IECMHC Regional Service Providers-FINAL~1.pdf

STATE OF OREGON

COVER PAGE

Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care

Is issuing this Request for Applications (RFA) for

INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION

REGIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

RFA # S-58800-00009913

Date of Issue: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Closing Date: Friday, June 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Single Point of Contact (SPC): Laura Sprehe, Procurement & Contract Specialist

Address: 700 Summer St

City, State, Zip Salem, OR 97310

Phone (cell) (971)-240-7719

E-mail: laura.sprehe@delc.oregon.gov

The State of Oregon promotes equal opportunity for all individuals without regard to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion or creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider

Opportunity Summary

Opportunity Type: Request for Applications (RFA)

RFA Release Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024

RFA Closing: Friday, June 21, 2024

Agreement/Award Period: Program Planning Grant: Date of Agreement Execution to maximum of a one-year period.

Available Funding: $1,418,663.03 (This is an approximate amount.)

Single Point of Contact (SPC): Laura Sprehe, Procurement & Contract Specialist E-mail: Laura.Sprehe@delc.oregon.gov Phone (cell): 971.240.7719

Address: Street Address: 700 Summer St City, State, Zip: Salem, OR 97301

Purpose: The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is creating Regional Service Providers (RSPs) to implement an equity-focused approach for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants (IECMHCs) to serve Early Educators (EEs) under the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program (ECSEPP). DELC is seeking up to 4 organizations to receive a planning grant in order to build capacity to become the Regional Service Provider in their respective region or, alternatively, to identify a regional entity to become the Regional Service Provider in their respective region: Blue Mountain, Frontier, South Central, and South Coast.

Eligibility: Organizations from the following regions are eligible to apply for this opportunity: Blue Mountain, Frontier, South Central, and South Coast.

RSPs are defined as state, Tribe, or local government entities, private or public entities, including non-profit organizations, licensed to do business in Oregon and in good standing (current on required filings), and with successful contractual experience. Please review section 3.1 for additional eligibility criteria.

mailto:Laura.Sprehe@delc.oregon.gov

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

1.2 SCHEDULE

1.3 SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT (SPC)

SECTION 2: AUTHORITY, OVERVIEW, AND SCOPE

2.1 AUTHORITY AND METHOD

2.2 DEFINITION OF TERMS

2.3 PROGRAM SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS

2.4 OVERVIEW

2.5 TECHNICAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 3: APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

3.1 MINIMUM APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

3.2 MINIMUM SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

3.3 APPLICATION PROCESS

3.4 APPLICATION CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

3.5 EVALUATION PROCESS

SECTION 4: AWARD AND NEGOTIATION

4.1 AWARD NOTIFICATION PROCESS

4.2 SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

4.3 PROTEST

4.5 NEGOTIATION

SECTION 5: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

5.1 GOVERNING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

5.2 OWNERSHIP/PERMISSION TO USE MATERIALS

5.3 CANCELLATION OF RFA; REJECTION OF APPLICATIONS; NO DAMAGES

5.4 COST OF SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

5.5 STATEWIDE E-WASTE/RECOVERY POLICY

5.6 RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS

5.7 CHECKLIST DISCLAIMER

SECTION 6: LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider

SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (“Agency” or “DELC”) is issuing this Request for Applications (RFA) for the provision of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC). Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) has been shown to be an effective strategy for improving crucial outcomes such as reducing the use of suspension and expulsion.

Applicants will have an opportunity to submit applications to receive a planning grant in order to build capacity to become Regional Service Providers (RSPs) or, alternatively, to identify RSPs that will eventually implement an equity-focused approach for IECMHC under the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program (ECSEPP). The Agency is seeking up to 4 organizations to participate in this planning period, which will ultimately result in the identification of an entity, potentially including the applicant, in their region to become the Regional Service Provider. Regional Service Providers are defined as: state, Tribe, or local government entities, private or public entities, including non-profit organizations, licensed to do business in Oregon and in good standing (current on required filings) and with successful contractual experience (See Section 3.1 for additional RSP requirements).

The disclosure of the budgeted amounts does not mean that these are the final funding amounts. DELC maintains the right to adjust or change the funding breakdown based on the needs of the regions.

The number of grant awardees will depend on requested budget and awardee applications for the 23- 25 biennium and is not expected to exceed 4 executed grant agreements (subject to change based on intended awardees). The terms of the Grant Agreements are anticipated to be a maximum of one (1) year for planning grants. At the end of the planning grant period, if the awarded Applicant(s) is in good standing prior to the expiration of the Grant, Agency may, at its sole discretion, extend the Grant beyond the initial expiration date of the Planning Grant and into an Implementation Grant, consistent with available funding and applicable law, and upon Grantee meeting readiness criteria for implementation.

All persons, organizations, or governmental entities submitting Applications are referred to as Applicants in this RFA. After execution of a Grant Agreement, the awarded Applicant must be designated as a Sub-Recipient or sub awardee.

Additional details on the Scope of the work are included in the Scope of Work/Specifications section 2.5.

The parties may negotiate the final Statement of Work to be included in the Grant.

1.2 SCHEDULE

The table below represents a tentative schedule of events. All times are listed in prevailing Pacific Time.

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider

All dates listed are subject to change.

Event Date Time RFA available to prospective Applicants Tuesday, May 21, 2024 5:00 PM Pre-Application Webinar (optional) Thursday, May 30, 2024 2:00 PM Questions / Requests for Clarification Due Tuesday, June 11 , 2024 5:00 PM Closing (Applications Due) Friday, June 21, 2024 5:00 PM

Applicant Evaluation Process TBD -

Issuance of Notice of Award (approx.) July 1, 2024 -

Protest Period 7 Days from Intent to Award posting 5:00 PM

1.3 SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT (SPC)

The SPC for this RFA is identified on the Cover Page, along with the SPC’s contact information. Applicant shall direct all communications related to any provision of the RFA, whether about the technical requirements of the RFA, contractual requirements, the RFA process, or any other provision only to the

SPC.

Should assistance with language interpretation of this RFA be required, please contact the SPC for additional information on access to telephonic interpretation services.

SECTION 2: AUTHORITY, OVERVIEW, AND SCOPE

2.1 AUTHORITY AND METHOD

The Agency is issuing this RFA pursuant to its authority under ORS 329A.135.

Agency must accept Applications up to the Closing date and time as set forth in Section 1.2 of this RFA.

The Agency must then evaluate the Applications in accordance with Section 3 of this RFA.

Pursuant to ORS 329A.600 and ORS 329A.625, Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is authorized to oversee the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program.

2.2 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following definitions apply for purposes of this RFA.

“Affected Applicant” means an Applicant who would be eligible for a Grant in the event their protest was successful, and who is protesting because Agency failed to conduct an evaluation of Applications in accordance with the criteria or process described in this RFA.

“Applicant” means an entity who submits an Application in response to this RFA.

“Application” means a written response to this RFA.

“Evaluation Committee” means the group of people who will evaluate and score Applications

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider submitted in response to this RFA.

2.3 PROGRAM SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this RFA, capitalized words are defined in OAR 125-246-0110, OAR 125-246-0110 or as defined below.

https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=7425

“Child Care Resource and Referral Agency” (“CCR&R”) means an entity designated under ORS 329A.100 that provides local and statewide services including 1) guidance and referrals for parents seeking child care through referrals to 211info; 2) recruiting, training, and supporting EEs to remain in the profession and provide high-quality child care programs; 3) the collection of information about the local supply of child care; and 4) community collaboration with Early Learning System partners.

“Community of Practice” (“CoP”) means a group of professionals, peers or group of professionals with common roles who come together to share skills, knowledge and routines of practice. Generally, there is a facilitator who leads the Community of Practice and supports the coordination of the group.

“Department of Early Learning and Care” (“DELC”) means a new agency that will centralize key functions and transform back-office services, positioning DELC to scale programs, increase access to child care, and more effectively support providers in delivering culturally responsive early learning services. DELC has consolidated child care functions previously housed in the Early Learning Division of the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Department of Human Services under one state agency. DELC is transforming how the State approaches early learning and child care by building a new, unified agency.

“Service Delivery Area” (“SDA”) means a defined geographic boundary with which the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) regions are defined.

“Early Childhood Education” (ECE”) means any part- or full-day group program in a center, school or home that serves children from birth through age five.

“Early Educator” (“EE”) means those who teach groups of young children. Depending on setting, early educators may have different job titles, including teacher, early learning teacher, owner-operator, director, provider. Settings can include family, friend or neighbor, license-exempt, regulated subsidy, registered family, certified family, and certified center environments.

“Early Intervention/ Early Childhood Special Education” (“EI/ECSE”) means services that provide a seamless system to support the developmental and educational needs of children ages birth to five and their families.

“Early Learning System” (“ELS”) means the network of services that support early care and education in Oregon. “Early Learning System” means a voluntary statewide system overseen by Oregon’s Early Learning Council and as defined by ORS 417.728.

“Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation” (“IECMHC”) means a prevention-based approach that pairs a mental health consultant with adults who work with infants and young children in the different settings where they learn and grow, such as childcare, preschool, home visiting, and early intervention. It employs a culturally responsive and Trauma-Informed lens and involves providing https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_125-246-0110 https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_125-246-0110 https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=7425

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider training and coaching to childcare and Early Care and Education Providers that helps promote healthy social-emotional development, and which builds on child, family and provider strengths to ensure inclusive, supportive care for all children.

“Infant Toddler Specialist” (“ITS”) means a provider that develops and implements strategies to expand access to, and build the supply of, high-quality (culturally responsive, inclusive, developmentally appropriate) affordable, infant and toddler early care and education that meets the needs of Oregon families.

“Professional Development” ("PD”) means a continuum of learning and support activities designed to prepare individuals for work with and on behalf of young children and their families. Professional Development encompasses education, training, and Technical Assistance (including Consultation and Coaching).

“Quality Improvement Specialist” (“QIS”) means an individual who works in the Child Care Resource and Referral agency to provide Technical Assistance to Early Childhood Education Programs and/or Early Educators.

“Regional Service Provider” (“RSP”) means an entity that provides IECMHC services to Early Care and Education Providers and coordinates IECMHC services with other early childhood technical assistance providers, to promote Early Care and Education Provider access to resources, training, and other technical assistance opportunities.

“Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program” (“SEPP” or “Program”) means a DELC program that was created by the Oregon Legislature to reduce: the use of suspension, expulsion, and other forms of exclusionary discipline in early care and education (ECE) programs; and to reduce disparities in the use of suspension, expulsion, and other forms of exclusionary practices in ECE programs based on race, ethnicity, language, ability, or gender.

“Technical Assistance” (“TA”) means targeted and individualized support by a professional(s) with specific knowledge and skills to develop or strengthen processes, application, or implementation of services for/by the TA recipients. TA may be delivered by an individual or a team, to one individual or a group. TA may be provided face-to-face, via distance methods, or a hybrid of the two. Typical forms of TA include coaching, mentoring, consultation, and professional development advising.

“Warmline” means an online access point for ECE providers and programs to submit a request for support in maintaining a child’s enrollment in the ECE program.

2.4 OVERVIEW

2.4.1 DELC Overview and Background

The Agency’s mission is to foster coordinated, culturally appropriate, and family-centered services that recognize and respect the strengths and needs of all children, families, and early learning and care professionals. The Agency’s values are equity, respect, trust, relationships, safety, continuous improvement and integrity. The Agency works as an integrated team focused on: child care, early

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider learning programs and cross systems integration, policy and research, and equity.

2.4.2 Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Program Overview and Background

In 2020, former Governor Kate Brown convened the Racial Justice Council (RJC) to center marginalized communities’ perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences to advance transformational change.

Together, the RJC developed a Racial Justice Action Plan, which influenced the state’s short, medium, and long-term goals to address structural racism—putting Oregon on a track to build a stronger, fairer, and more equitable Oregon where everyone can thrive. The RJC has centered the dismantling of systemic racism from our civic institutions at a statewide level. During the 2021 Legislative Session, former Governor Kate Brown and the RJC secured over $3.2 billion in decisive investments to begin the process of recognizing–and undoing–systemic racism in Oregon. Within the plan was a $5.8 million investment through House Bill 2166 to establish the ECSEPP to support stable and inclusive placements for children and to prevent expulsion or suspension practices which disproportionately impact children of color.

Suspension and expulsion practices within Early Care and Education (ECE) settings will be prohibited starting July 1, 2026 (Senate Bill 236).

Because of the well-documented disparities in rates of early learning suspension and expulsion for children of color (Burton et al., 2020; Meek & Gilliam, 2016; U.S. Department of Education, 2016), DELC is creating a multi-tiered system of supports that will provide an array of on-the-ground supports for children, families, and ECE programs, while also addressing the complex underlying root causes that lead to the use of suspension and expulsion.

The purposes of the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program are:

(1) To promote inclusive values, policies, and practices that create opportunities for all Young Children and their families to participate in a broad range of activities and be supported to engage as full members of families, communities, and society. The desired result of inclusion is that children and their families of all race, ethnicity, age, appearance, language, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, immigration status, gender or gender identity, geographic location, and any other identity or intersectionality, feel a sense of belonging and membership, develop positive social relationships and friendships, and experience learning that engages the individual child’s development. The defining features of inclusion that can be used to identify high quality early childhood programs and services are access, participation, and supports; and

(2) To reduce the use of Suspension, Expulsion, and other forms of Exclusionary Practices in early childhood care and education programs and to eliminate disparities in the use of Suspension, Expulsion, and other forms of Exclusionary Practices in early childhood care and education programs based on race, ethnicity, age, appearance, language, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, immigration status, gender or gender identity, and any other identity or intersectionality, by:

(a) Providing and enhancing professional development of the early childhood education workforce with a focus on ensuring early childhood educators have the knowledge and skills to support children’s social, emotional, and positive

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider racial identity development through the use of anti-bias, culturally-responsive, and inclusive practices in the early education environment.

(b) Ensuring that all Regional Service and Technical Assistance Providers have the knowledge and skills to offer supports that include, but are not limited to, training, coaching, technical assistance, and consultation to Early Care and Education Providers and programs to implement foundational anti-bias, culturally responsive, and inclusive Practices to ensure the stability of children’s placements within the early education environment.

(c) Developing and implementing culturally-responsive, Trauma-Informed Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation services to support Early Care and Education Providers and programs to effectively meet the needs of all children. To be genuinely trauma-informed, practices must also be culturally responsive and reflect the active process of anti-racism.

(d) Providing a coordinated system for Early Care and Education Providers across the state to seek support, technical assistance and/or IECMHC services in maintaining the placement of specific children who present with persistent challenging behaviors.

2.4.3 IECMHC Regional Service Provider Program Goals

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) has been shown to be an effective strategy for improving crucial outcomes for young children, including interrupting the impact of implicit bias and reducing the use of suspension and expulsion. However, IECMHC is currently available only in a few communities in Oregon and not available to childcare centers or family childcare programs. DELC is establishing a comprehensive IECMHC system throughout Oregon, including rural and remote regions, to work with ECE programs to reduce suspension and expulsion of children 6 weeks of age to entry to kindergarten. The IECMHC system will increase supports to all ECE professionals, thereby expanding their capacity to provide developmentally responsive care and social emotional support to each child in their program.

Alongside IECMHC, DELC is developing a Warmline to serve as an access point for ECE providers and programs to submit a request for support in maintaining a child’s ECE placement. Regional Service Providers will provide an initial response to Warmline requests and will work with regional partners to determine if the support is best provided by the IECMHC or by another Technical Assistance provider.

DELC is developing a system that prioritizes and centers the needs, experiences, and strengths of children, families, and ECE providers of color. Rather than replicating an existing model that may not have been developed for, by, or with Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities, The Agency sees this as an opportunity to create a system grounded in racial equity. Leading with race acknowledges inequities based on race within and across other dimensions of identity, such as income, gender, ability, and geography. We know that a system based on an understanding of the intersectional aspects of marginalization, and one that centers those most impacted by inequities, is more likely to meet the needs of all children (Ake & Menendian, 2019; Powell et al., 2009).

Oregon’s DELC is inviting interested and eligible organizations and entities to submit applications to become Regional Service Providers (RSPs) to implement an equity focused IECMHC program under the

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider

ECSEPP.

The overarching goals of the IECMHC system are to prevent suspension and expulsion, and to reduce disparities in the use of suspension and expulsion based on race, ethnicity, age, appearance, language, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, immigration status, gender or gender identity, and any other identity or intersectionality. Additional goals in support of this mission include:

• Increasing the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of the IECMHC workforce, including those at the supervisory and leadership levels

• Promoting racial equity in ECE programs, including addressing and interrupting implicit and explicit bias and implementing anti-bias classroom practices

• Supporting ECE programs to create a culture of belonging

• Increasing the capacity for reflective practice in ECE programs

• Increasing coordination and collaboration among ECE system partners in the region

• Providing a coordinated response to Warmline requests for support

It is recommended that applicants review and refer to the report: Centering Racial Equity: Design Considerations for Oregon’s Statewide IECMHC Program (https://www.oregon.gov/delc/Documents/delc-centering-racial-qquity-design-considerations-for-oregons-statewide-iecmhc-program.pdf) for additional background information and design recommendations for the IECMHC program. While some elements of the IECMHC model are still in development, this report provides key considerations and assumptions.

2.5 TECHNICAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

2.5.1 Required Activities

Agency and the successful Applicant may negotiate the final Statement of Work (SOW) for the Agreement. To support the goals of the SEPP, Applicant must, at minimum, perform the following activities from the date of Agreement Execution up to a maximum of one (1) year.

Program Planning Grants

Program Planning Grants are one-time funds available to organizations to engage in planning, service delivery design, and other related activities that may be required before service delivery can begin.

Applicants may apply for a Program Planning Grant to develop readiness to implement equity-centered IECMHC services within the Service Delivery Area (SDA) in which they are located. Planning Grants are limited to one (1) year maximum period and may be converted to a Program Implementation Grant pending the availability of funding, in current and future biennia.

The successful Applicant shall be responsible for fulfilling the following Planning Grant Activities with the goal of identifying an entity to become the Regional Service Provider in the region and preparing the identified entity for subsequent Implementation Grant activities through completion of Planning Grant https://www.oregon.gov/delc/Documents/delc-centering-racial-qquity-design-considerations-for-oregons-statewide-iecmhc-program.pdf https://www.oregon.gov/delc/Documents/delc-centering-racial-qquity-design-considerations-for-oregons-statewide-iecmhc-program.pdf

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider activities . Alternatively, the successful Applicant may identify itself as the Regional Service Provider in the region, if the Applicant completes the following Planning Grant Activities and otherwise meets all other relevant criteria. If the Applicant is unable to complete certain activities directly (i.e. Activity 3) in order to identify itself as the Regional Servicer Provider, then the Applicant may instead subcontract with an entity that Grantee has identified as the Regional Service Provider for the region. If the successful Applicant chooses not to become the Regional Servicer Provider, but to instead identify a Regional Service Provider, then that identified Regional Service Provider must fulfill the following activities or be able to demonstrate that they have already otherwise been fulfilled.

ACTIVITIES: Planning Grant Deliverables Activity 1: Community Connections: Building Relationships in the Region

1a. Develop plan for community engagement, individualized to the needs of the Grantee and the Grantee’s Region. Plan should be developed in partnership with the Early Learning Hub in the region.

a. Submit plan to DELC for approval

1b. Conduct community engagement activities with the goal of building relationships with early educators and early learning and child care programs to gain an understanding of the unique needs of different program types. Activities must include engagement with certified and regulated family child care programs, certified child care centers, and culturally specific early learning programs in the Region.

Quarterly progress reports must include:

a. Details of the engagement and relationship-building activities that were conducted (E.g. number of sessions, number of people, types of programs)

b. Summary of the information and perspectives shared by early learning programs

c. A description of how Grantee intends to incorporate this information into the delivery of IECMHC services

1c. Using information gained through Activity 1b and other relevant community knowledge, develop a plan that will ensure IECMH Consultants and Supervisors build authentic relationships with the community, including understanding the histories and current contexts of the communities being served.

a. Quarterly progress reports must include: Summary of activities conducted, accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned.

b. Prior to transition to an Implementation Grant, submit a copy of the plan to Agency for approval

2a. Participate in a Learning Collaborative and ongoing Community of Practice with other RSPs and early learning system partners for the purpose of developing a Coordinated System of Support

a. Quarterly progress reports must include: Summary of activities conducted, accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned.

b. Attendance at Learning Collaborative sessions

c. Attendance at Community of Practice meetings

d. Develop and submit a written plan, including documentation of MOUs as needed, for a regional teaming plan in response to Warmline requests.

2b. Establish collaborative partnerships with early learning system partners, beginning

a. Quarterly progress reports must include:

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider with engagement with the Early Learning Hub, identify all early learning system partners in the region, assess the status of current collaborative partnerships, and design a plan to establish any new or additional partnerships that may be needed.

• Summary of activities conducted, accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned

• Describe any new or additional partnerships that may be needed and any support that may be needed from Agency in establishing partnerships

• Submit documentation of collaborative partnerships and a written plan for ongoing development of partnerships

2c. Convene and/or collaborate with early learning system partners to develop processes and agreements for “regional teaming” of Warmline requests for support.

a. Quarterly progress reports must include: Summary of activities conducted, accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned.

b. Develop and submit a written plan, utilizing guidance documents provided by DELC, and including documentation of MOUs as needed, for a regional teaming plan in response to Warmline requests.

3a. Review compensation policies to ensure equitable salary structures and develop a plan for how Grantee will make progress toward meeting salary guidelines.

a. Quarterly progress reports must include: Summary and lessons learned.

b. Develop and submit a written plan documenting how Grantee will meet salary guidelines or the plan for how Grantee will work to meet salary guidelines.

To the greatest extent possible, the plan for salary structures should:

• Offer a salary commensurate with the complex skill set required for the position and for the purpose of promoting recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce. In most situations, compensation should be based on a minimum annual salary of $70,000- 75,000 for an entry-level consultant with a Masters degree in a mental health or closely related field.

Salary levels may be lower for those entering without a Masters degree.

• Offers incentivized compensation above the base salary scale for linguistic abilities of IECMHC able to provide services in the first language(s) of historically underserved immigrant and diaspora communities

• Offers incentivized compensation above the base salary scale that recognizes the lived experience, community knowledge, and other ways of knowing of

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider

IECMH Consultants who are Black, Brown, Indigenous or other people of color

3b. Develop strategies to support the professional and career development of IECMH Consultants, including but not limited to considerations for tuition reimbursement, paid time for training, partnerships with colleges and universities, policy and procedure revisions or enhancements, and other strategies that may be needed for a “Grow Your Own” model of workforce development

a. Quarterly progress reports must include: Summary and lessons learned.

3c. Develop plan so IECMH Consultants will receive regular 1:1 reflective supervision.

Reflective supervision and/or licensure supervision will be available through the Central Entity when it is not available locally or to facilitate a cultural/ethnic match.

a. Quarterly progress reports must include: Summary of activities conducted, accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned.

b. Submit a written plan documenting approach to making reflective supervision available and how IECMH Consultants will receive reflective supervision on a regular basis

4a. Participate in a Community of Practice for collaborative co-design of the statewide model of equity centered IECMHC, based upon the Centering Racial Equity report, in partnership with DELC, the Central Entity, other RSPs, and the ECSEPP Advisory Committee. Statewide model will include:

• Shared standards and guidelines for program administration and the delivery of IECMHC that is culturally responsive and implemented with a focus on antibias and inclusive practices and is effective in preventing the use of suspension and expulsion

• Shared definitions of the essential skills and competencies of IECMH Consultants

• Identification and implementation of workforce strategies to increase the diversity of Oregon’s IECMHC workforce

• Development of a shared plan for shared onboarding and core training for IECMH Consultants

a. Regular attendance and participation at Community of Practice meetings

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider

• Development of a shared plan to support the ongoing knowledge and skill development of IECMH Consultants through strategies such as communities of practice, equity dialogues, use of affinity spaces, reflective supervision/consultation, and/or other options

• Development of data collection protocols

4b. If needed, develop or review organizational policies and procedures to ensure relevance to provision of community-based services.

Quarterly progress reports must include: Summary of activities conducted, accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned.

4d. Collaborate with DELC and the ECSEPP Central Entity to develop an “IECMHC Workforce Equity Plan,” including short- and long-term workforce equity goals and tangible action steps in the areas of recruitment, retention and compensation;

competencies and qualifications; core training, communities of practice, and ongoing professional development; and reflective supervision.

a. Quarterly progress reports must include: Summary of activities conducted, accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned.

b. Develop and submit a plan that is based on the shared work detailed in Activity 4a and that is individualized to the unique situation of Grantee’s Region.

4e. Develop a written Implementation Plan demonstrating Grantee’s readiness to transition to an Implementation Grant. Plan must:

• Demonstrate understanding of IECMHC service delivery as a capacity-building intervention focused on increasing the skills and abilities of early educators to support the social-emotional well-being of children in their program

• Demonstrate understanding of the unique needs of different early learning programs

• Demonstrate collaborative partnerships with early learning system partners

• Demonstrate readiness to engage in a regional teaming response to Warmline requests for support

• Demonstrate Grantee’s plan for workforce development, recruitment, and hiring

a. Develop and submit for Agency approval an Implementation Plan that is based on the shared work detailed in Activity 4a and is tailored to the context of the Grantee’s Region.

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider

Activity 5: Administrative Activities 5a. Meet monthly or as requested with DELC Central Entity and Evaluation Entity.

Meeting attendance and participation.

5b. Collect and track all data necessary for monitoring and evaluation of the program.

Data collection as determined by Agency and other key partners.

5c. Develop a final budget for the planning grant period.

Submit a Final Budget to Agency’s Authorized Representative for review and approval.

Applicants are limited to submitting Applications for regions in which they are physically located. During the Planning Grant period, if it becomes apparent that an entity that is outside of the region is most suited to be the Regional Service Provider for the region, Grantee may subgrant or subcontract with an entity that is outside of the region after obtaining prior written approval from Agency. This circumstance will likely be allowed by Agency only if a) community engagement activities indicate community acceptance of this solution, and b) the identified entity is able to complete the Grant activities, including meeting all relevant criteria regarding community connections, participating in a regional coordinated system of support, and demonstrating the ability to meet compensation guidelines and workforce equity goals.

Application Budget Worksheet

Applicant must complete and submit a proposed budget for a Program Planning Grant and provide an estimate of how many months the Applicant is anticipating to spend on planning activities. Applicant must utilize the budget template included in Attachment D.

The budget must not exceed the Service Delivery Area allocation in Section 2.5.8 (Regional Service Provider (RSP) Tentative Agreement Amounts).

Applicant must adhere to the Administrative Costs Policy (https://www.oregon.gov/delc/about-us/pages/grants-contracts.aspx)

2.5.2 Awardee Reporting Requirements

The Department of Early Learning and Care will fund up to 4 organizations through a Program Planning Grant, one in each of these regions: Blue Mountain, Frontier, South Central, and South Coast.

Awardee shall provide written reports to the Agency in accordance with the executed Grant Agreement.

Such reporting may include but is not limited to the following:

a. Data reporting will be completed by Grantee on a quarterly basis with monthly check-ins with SEPP team members. All required reports must be submitted to Agency by the due date using the tools/templates provided by Agency. Quarterly and final reports of projects/programs, and/or implementation data for the purpose of program monitoring and evaluation, as well as legislative, state, and federal accountability;

b. Expenditure reports (quarterly reports and a final report) or as required by State of Oregon or federal statutes, regulations, and/or guidelines and;

o Information reasonably requested by the Agency, for the purpose of developing the agreement, biennial legislative budget preparation, or legislative emergency board https://www.oregon.gov/delc/about-us/pages/grants-contracts.aspx https://www.oregon.gov/delc/about-us/pages/grants-contracts.aspx https://www.oregon.gov/delc/about-us/pages/grants-contracts.aspx

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider actions that may arise.

As the SEPP evolves and Program evaluation components become available, it is anticipated that processes will grow and adapt over time. It is expected that each Grantee will make the necessary adjustments to reporting data to suit the needs of the Program. The Agency will communicate any upcoming changes with sufficient time for Grantee implementation.

Maximum Funding Allocation by Service Delivery Area (SDA)

DELC has determined disclosure of the anticipated project budget helps potential Applicants in preparing an application that meets the standards and expectations of the RFA. The disclosure of the below budgeted amounts does not mean that these are the final funding amounts. These figures are subject to change and DELC maintains the right to adjust or change the funding breakdown based on the needs of the regions. The anticipated budget is detailed in the table below.

Service Delivery Area (SDA)

2023-2025 Maximum Funding Allocation

(Anticipated Amounts Subject to Change)

Blue Mountain (Union, Morrow, and Umatilla Counties) $348,280.08 Frontier (Grant and Harney Counties) $360,719.05 South Central (Douglas, Klamath, and Lake Counties) $368,228.99 South Coast (Coos and Curry Counties) $341,434.91 Grand Total $1,418,663.03

SECTION 3: APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

3.1 MINIMUM APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the following to be considered:

• Be a private or public entity, including non-profit organizations, licensed to do business in Oregon and in good standing (current on required filings) and with successful contractual experience.

o Serve communities within the geographic boundaries of Oregon or serve communities within Indian country of a federally recognized Indian tribe that is within the geographic boundaries of Oregon.

o Exist within the Service Delivery Area (SDA).

• Able to demonstrate ability or build capacity to provide consultation, coaching, outreach, support and resources to early childhood education programs serving children and families marginalized or experiencing inequities based on race/ethnicity, gender, ability, or language.

• Able to commit program leaders and other associated staff and supervisors to participating in

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider professional development, learning communities, and other coaching and mentoring supports provided by or sponsored by DELC or identified partners.

• Able to demonstrate evidence of cross-sector collaboration with other technical assistance providers (i.e., EI/ECSE, CCR&R, mental health, or other agencies/programs providing coaching or consultation to ECE programs) in a manner that promotes shared decision-making and the ability to effectively triage which service provider is best suited to respond to a request for support from an ECE provider.

3.2 MINIMUM SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

3.2.1 Application Format and Quantity

The Application must follow the format and reference the sections listed in the Application Content Requirements Section 3.4 of this RFA. Responses to each section, subsection, and attachment should be labeled to indicate the item being addressed. The Application must describe in detail how requirements of this RFA must be met and may provide additional related information.

Applicant shall submit one (1) electronic copy of its Application to the SPC listed on the Cover Page of this RFA.

Applicant must indicate any portion of its Application that it considers to be exempt from public disclosure under the Oregon Public Records Law as a trade secret or exempt for any other reason under ORS 192.311 through 192.478. Applicant may not indicate that its entire Application is exempt from disclosure. Agency may be required under the Public Records Law to nevertheless disclose information that Applicant has indicated as exempt from disclosure if Agency determines, with the advice of counsel, that such marked information is not exempt from required disclosure under Oregon law.

3.2.2 Authorized Representative

A representative authorized to bind the Applicant shall sign the Application Cover Sheet Certification (Attachment C). Failure of the authorized representative to sign the Application must subject the Application to rejection by Agency.

3.2.3 Application Summary Page

Applicants must submit a one-page summary of its application. Failure to produce an Application Summary Page will subject the Application to rejection by the Agency.

3.3 APPLICATION PROCESS

3.3.1 Public Notice

The RFA, including all Amendments and attachments, is published in OregonBuys at https://oregonbuys.gov/. RFA documents will not be mailed to prospective Applicants.

The Agency shall advertise all Amendments on OregonBuys. Prospective Applicant is solely responsible for checking OregonBuys to determine whether or not any Amendments have been issued. Amendments https://oregonbuys.gov/

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider are incorporated into the RFA by this reference.

3.3.2 Questions/ Requests for Clarification

All inquiries, whether relating to the RFA process, administration, deadline or method of award or to the intent or technical aspects of the RFA must:

• Be emailed to the SPC only for this RFA.

• Reference the RFA number, #S-58800-00009913

• Identify Applicant’s name and contact information.

• Be sent by an authorized representative.

• Refer to the specific area of the RFA being questioned (i.e. page, section and paragraph number);

and

• Be received by the due date and time for Questions/Requests for Clarification identified in the

Schedule

3.3.3 Pre-Application Conferences

Pre-Application webinar conference will be held for this RFA on Thursday May 30, 2024. Links to the webinar shall follow the release of this RFA. Please see Section 1.2 for schedule of events. Attendance to all of these events is optional and not a requirement of the RFA.

3.3.4 Application Submission

Applicant is solely responsible for ensuring its Application is received by the SPC in accordance with the RFA requirements before Closing. The Agency is not responsible for any delays caused by transmission errors or delays or mistaken delivery. An Application submitted by any means not authorized may be rejected if not received by the closing date listed in this RFA.

Applicant shall email its Application, including the answers to questions included in Attachment B, to the SPC, in either pdf, Microsoft Word, or Microsoft Excel format (or any combination thereof). SPC is the only authorized Agency representative to receive an Application for this RFA. Applications sent to any other Agency or DELC staff must be disqualified from this Application process.

3.3.5 Modification or Withdrawal of Applications

Any Applicant who wishes to make modifications to an Application already received by the Agency shall submit its modification in the manner required in the Application Submission Section and must denote the specific change(s) to the Application submission and submit by the closing date.

If an Applicant wishes to withdraw a submitted Application, it shall do so prior to the closing deadline specified in Section 1.2 of this RFA (Closing). The Applicant shall submit a written notice signed by an authorized representative of its intent to withdraw its Application. The notice must include the RFA number and be submitted to the SPC.

3.3.6 Application Due

An Application and all required submittal items must be received by the SPC on or before Closing specified in Section 1.2. Any Application received after the Closing must not be accepted. All Application

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider modifications or withdrawals must be completed and submitted prior to Closing.

Applications received after closing are considered LATE and must NOT be accepted for evaluation. Late Applications must be returned to the respective Applicant or destroyed at the Agency’s option.

3.3.7 Application Rejection

The Agency may at its discretion reject an Application for any of the following reasons:

• Applicant fails to substantially comply with all prescribed RFA procedures and requirements, including but not limited to the requirement that Applicant’s authorized representative sign the Application.

• Applicant makes any contact regarding this RFA with State representatives such as State employees or officials other than the SPC or those the SPC authorizes, or inappropriate contact with the SPC.

• Applicant attempts to inappropriately influence a member of the Evaluation Committee.

• Application is conditioned on the Agency’s acceptance of any other terms and conditions or rights to negotiate any alternative terms and conditions that are not reasonably related to those expressly authorized for negotiation in the RFA or addenda.

• Applicant fails to meet all requirements listed in section 3.1.

3.3.8 Opening of Application

There must be no public opening of Applications. Applications received must not be available for inspection until after the evaluation process has been completed and the Notice of Award is issued.

However, the Agency must record and make available the identity of all Applicants after opening.

3.4 APPLICATION CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

The Application must address all requirements set forth in this RFA. Applicant shall fully describe its program plan. An Application that merely offers to perform a program as stated in this RFA must be considered non-responsive to this RFA and must not be considered further.

3.4.1 Application Contents

Applications must: describe how Applicant will carry out the major activities of this program in context with the Scope of Activities described in Section 2.5 of this RFA; provide a comprehensive program plan that the Applicant intends to follow; and illustrate how the plan will serve to coordinate and accomplish the work. Application Questions and Budget must be scored according to the evaluation process in

RFA #S-58800-00009913 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Regional Service Provider section 3.5.

• Application Cover Sheet with signature of authorized representative (Attachment C).

• Required Attachments o Completed Attachment B, Request for Application Questions o Completed Attachment D, Program Planning Budget Worksheet

3.4.2 Length and Formatting Requirements of Application

a. Responses to Application Questions must not exceed 30 pages, excluding the Table of Contents.

b. Each page must be double-spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.

c. Applicant must use a font size of 12.

d. A Table of Contents must be provided that follows the format and numbering detailed in

RFA Section 3.4.1 above.

e. Each page must be numbered in the lower right hand corner.

f. Footer must be used that identifies the Applicant.

g. Supporting documentation and appendices are limited to 30 pages including:

Application Cover Sheet Certification (Attachment C).

Budget Worksheet (Attachment D).

Supporting Documents as determined by Applicant.

3.4.3 Public Record/Confidential or Proprietary Information

All Applications are public record and are subject to public inspection after the Agency issues the Notice of Award. If an Applicant believes that any portion of its Application contains any information that is exempt from disclosure…