RFQ 24-0030 Partners in Development.docx

The ALLIANCE FOR CHILD WELFARE EXCELLENCE: Partners in Development-Lived Experience

UW RFQ 24-0030

INTENT

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is issued by the University of Washington to solicit proposals from Contractors interested in providing curriculum development and process feedback. Contractors may be asked to review materials and provide written or verbal feedback. Feedback may occur in a 1:1 or group setting. Some projects have regular commitments to support project deadlines and outcomes.

Execution of a contract is not a guarantee of business.

The pool will remain open and ongoing in order to add additional individuals with lived experience at UW discretion.

BACKGROUND

The Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence (Alliance) is a comprehensive statewide partnership between the University of Washington, University of Washington Tacoma, Eastern Washington University 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, and staff, as well as others involved in serving children, youth, and families. 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.

The Alliance is looking for partners to support the development or revision of curriculum. Our goal is to collaborate with those with lived expertise to inform curriculum development for workforce and caregiver audiences. We firmly believe our approach will effectively support the reduction of negative outcomes for children and families including reducing the disproportionality of negative outcomes experienced by children and youth with Tribal heritage, children and youth of color, LGBTQI+ children, and disabled youth. Alliance training is required for licensed out of home caregivers and DCYF workforce. Partners would help the Alliance uphold our four main organizational values: inclusivity, respect, support and engagement. Your participation can support this in the following ways:

· Inclusivity: it is important that all of our trainings incorporate the points of view of a wide range of people who are affected by the child welfare system

· Respect: we respect and value your lived experience and expertise

· Support: we hope to better support people experiencing foster care, birth carers and foster parents

· Engagement: It is essential that we engage all community members impacted by our training

SCOPE OF WORK

Alliance partners in development will

· Review curriculum

· Provide verbal or written feedback on curriculum based on their lived expertise

· Attend meetings or workgroups

· Share experience to enhance learning experience Current project need:

· 1-3 hours per month on a flexible schedule

· One mandatory team meeting per month (2 hours)

· Approximately 1 hour of “pre-work” prior to that meeting (may include reading, review of documents or curriculum sent prior to the meeting).

Please note: There may be additional projects that have potential to be negotiated and added to the contract through an addendum.

Alliance provides:

· Curriculum materials for review

· Onboarding of the partners in development team

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

· Preparation and debriefing support as needed throughout the projects for those who have experience as a foster, adoptive, or kinship child/youth.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

· Have one of the following experiences in child welfare with the state of Washington or a Tribal child welfare program:

· 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

· 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 identities of all caregivers and children in their care.

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

· Knowledgeable of 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 in the state of Washington)

PERIOD OF SERVICE

The initial term shall be up to two (2) years commencing on date of execution and expiring on the 20th of June 2026. UW at its discretion, may extend for an additional 2-year terms.

SUBMISSION

Please Submit

· 2 references

· Completed criteria checklist on Page 4

· Return documents to Dawn Lake Senior Contracts Manager dawnlake@uw.edu and Lisa Sinnett, Foundational Learning Administrator, lisas77@uw.edu

Alliance Partners in Development Criteria Checklist

· I currently reside in the state of Washington 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 ☐ Kinship Caregivers ☐ Birth parents ☐ First Parents ☐ Legal Guardians

How many years of experience do you have with your 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 have reliable high-speed internet access, phone service, and access to a personal computer

· I have three hours a month to commit to this project.

· 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 identities of all caregivers and children in their care.

Please enter the city you live: ______________________ Please select the gender you identify with:

Please select the sexual orientation that best fits you:

☐ Straight or heterosexual ☐ Gay

Please select the race or ethnicity that best fits you:

☐ African American or Black ☐ American Indian or Alaskan Native

☐ White or European ☐ My race or ethnicity is best described as: (please specify) ___________________ ☐ Prefer not to disclose ☐ Another Identity (please specify) __________________________

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

Signed ________________________________________________________________

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