The ALLIANCE FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING AND CAREGIVER EXCELLENCE:

Experts by Experience Council

UW RFQQ #10836

INTENT

This Request for Quotes and Qualifications (RFQQ) is issued by the University of Washington to solicit proposals from Contractors interested in supporting curriculum development, conference planning, and programmatic efforts.

The Alliance provides professional development, training, and supports to child welfare professionals, caregivers, and Tribal staff in Washington. We are seeking individuals who have lived experiences with the child welfare system. Specifically, individuals who have any of the following experiences in child welfare with the state of Washington:

· Birth / First parents

· Youth 18 to 25 who are currently in or an alumni of Foster/Licensed Relative Placement

· Foster Caregivers (experience within the last five years in the State of Washington)

· Kinship Caregivers (experience within the last five years in the State of Washington)

· Fictive kin in Tribal communities

· Tribal Affiliation or Connection through Tribal Child Welfare Systems

· Legal Guardians

The pool will remain open and ongoing to add additional Experts by Experience at UW discretion.

BACKGROUND

The Alliance for Professional Development, Training and Caregiver Excellence (Alliance) is a comprehensive statewide partnership between the University of Washington, University of Washington Tacoma, Eastern Washington University, Partners for Our Children and the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). Our partnership is dedicated to developing the skills and capacity of those working with vulnerable children and their families. The Alliance provides training to alternate caregivers, DCYF staff, Tribal partners, as well as others involved in serving children, youth, and families in Washington. As part of our training and professional development service array, we provide training to potential and current caregivers (also called foster parents) and other alternate caregivers for children in the custody of DCYF. Our vision is a community of flourishing individuals, families, systems, and communities, each strengthening the others through shared knowledge, relationships and support.

The Alliance is looking to establish an Experts by Experience Council supporting organizational efforts to build awareness, take meaningful action, and foster a culture of accountability in child welfare. The Alliance is seeking a council of Experts by Experience to support projects including the development of new curricula, revision of current curricula, and conference planning.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Experts by Experience Council will:

· Share insights and guidance to enhance learning experience

· Participate in virtual council meetings (90 minutes) between July 1st and June 30th of the following year:

· Initial Onboarding to the EBE Council

· Three council meetings

· Approximately 1 hour of preparation prior to council meetings. This may include reading, reviewing documents or curriculum sent prior to the meeting, and providing verbal or written feedback on curriculum based on lived experiences.

· Attend additional meetings or workgroups for individually assigned curriculum development projects.

· Can provide up to 36 hours of collaboration, with an average of approximately 3 hours per month; however, this is not guaranteed.

Alliance provides:

· Onboarding for the Experts by Experience Council

· Introduction to the curriculum development team

· Alliance Curriculum Guidelines

· Curriculum materials for review

· Ongoing contact for check-ins to address inquiries or updates to the project.

· Preparation and debriefing support as needed throughout time on the council and specific projects for those who have experience as birth parents and foster, adoptive, or kinship child/youth.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

· Have one of the following experiences in the state of Washington:

· Birth / First parents

· Youth 18 to 25 who are currently in or an alumni of Foster/Licensed Relative Placement

· Foster Caregivers (experience within the last two years in the State of Washington)

· Kinship Caregivers (experience within the last two years in the State of Washington)

· Fictive kin in Tribal communities

· Tribal Affiliation or Connection through Tribal Child Welfare Systems

· Legal Guardians

· Access to high-speed internet connection, phone service, and access to a personal computer

· Ability to maintain confidentiality

· Commitment to supporting diversity including respect for the racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, and sexual/gender identities of all children, youth, and families in the child welfare system and caregivers.

· Knowledgeable about or willing to learn common DCYF policies and procedures

· Knowledgeable about or willing to learn about Washington Administrative Code and the Revised Code of Washington, and the various DCYF roles

· Positive, solution-oriented, and a willing Alliance and DCYF partner

EVALUATION CRITERIA & SCORING

Components of the proposal will be evaluated as follows:

· Contractor Response Form submitted: Yes or No

· Contractor Qualifications and Experience: Experience as a member of the selection categories (Alumni of care aged 18-25, foster caregivers, kinship caregivers, birth/first parents, fictive kin in Tribal communities in the State of Washington)

· References submitted: Yes or No

· Ability to participate in onboarding and three council meetings each year: Yes or No

PERIOD OF SERVICE

We are requesting a 12-month or 18-month commitment ending June 30, 2027. The UW h

SUBMISSION

Please Submit

· 2 references

· Completed criteria checklist on Page 4

· Return documents to Dawn Lake, Senior Contracts Manager, dawnlake@uw.edu, and Charina Carothers, Director of Equity and Belonging, carotc@uw.edu.

Alliance Partners in Development Criteria Checklist

· I currently reside in the state of Washington Please enter the city where you live: ______________________

I have at least one of the following experiences: (check all that apply)

· Alumni of Foster Care

· Youth over 18 who are currently in a Foster/Licensed Relative Placement

· Foster Caregivers (with experience providing care in the last 5 years)

· Kinship Caregivers (with experience providing care in the last 5 years)

· Birth parent involved with child welfare or with previous involvement

· Tribal affiliation or connection through a Tribal Child Welfare System

· Legal Guardian

How many years of experience do you have with the selected experience(s) above (check one)

· 0 to 1 years of experience

· 2 to 4 years of experience

· 5 to 7 years of experience

· 8 to 10 years of experience

· Over 10 years of experience

I verify that (check all that apply)

· I have reliable high-speed internet access, phone service, and access to a personal computer

· I have 2.5 hours to commit for each Council meeting, which includes preparation work.

· I have an interest in the skills that caregivers should have.

· I am committed to supporting diversity including respect for the racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, and sexual/gender identities of all children, youth, and families in the child welfare system and caregivers.

Please select the gender you identify with:

· Woman

· Man

· Transgender man

· Transgender woman

· Nonbinary/Gender diverse

· Another Identity (please specify) __________________________

· Prefer not to respond

Please select the sexual orientation that best fits you:

· Straight or heterosexual

· Gay

· Lesbian

· Bisexual

· Asexual

· Pansexual

· Prefer not to disclose

· Orientation not listed (please specify) ____________

· I have cared for a child or youth who was questioning, or their sexual orientation was something other than that of the dominant straight or heterosexual community.

· I have cared for a child or youth with a disability.

Please select the race or ethnicity that best fits you:

· African American or Black

· American Indian or Alaskan Native Tribal Affiliation

· Asian or Asian American

· Hispanic or Latino

· Middle Eastern or North African

· Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

· White or European

· My race or ethnicity is best described as (please specify): ___________________

· Prefer not to disclose

· Another Identity (please specify)

· I identify as a person with a disability.

· I am knowledgeable about the WA state foster care system and local resources.

Including but not limited to common DCYF policies and procedures for licensed caregivers, local clothing closets, educational supports, and the responsibilities and limitations for caregivers.

· I am committed to maintaining the confidentiality of the information I receive through work with The Alliance.

· I can be a positive, solution-oriented, and willing Alliance and DCYF partner.

Signed ________________________________________________________________

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