Caregiver Supports Area 9-14

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) has issued a Request for Application (RFA 25-DCYF-CW-090) seeking qualified contractors to provide comprehensive caregiver support services across six catchment areas (Areas 9-14), which span multiple counties including Franklin, Grant, Chelan, Yakima, and others. The primary objective is to assist caregivers in supporting children and youth placed in their homes by helping them access medical, social, educational, and other necessary services, with a focus on increasing placement stability and reducing systemic racial inequity. Contractors must have a minimum of three years of caregiver support experience and maintain an executive director with an office near the service catchment area. The contract periods vary by area, with Areas 9 and 10 running from November 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, and potential extensions up to September 30, 2029. Evaluation criteria are extensive, with 75 points dedicated to cultural competency, including assessments of racial equity, LGBTQ+ affirmation, tribal relationships, and understanding of historical trauma. The proposal submission deadline is September 1, 2025, by 2 p.m., and contractors must demonstrate capabilities in staff recruitment, data protection, trauma-informed approaches, and tribal collaboration.

The RFA includes specific provisions for disadvantaged enterprises, with opportunities for Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) certification, Veteran-Owned Business status, and Small Business designation. Contractors will be required to complete mandatory attachments, including Bidders Certification and Assurances Forms, and provide documentation of coordination with neighboring organizations. The funding structure is complex, combining 90% state and 10% federal money, with a two-part payment method including Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) capacity payments (48% of total cost) and fee-for-service payments based on case rates and support levels. Supplemental payments include initial engagement funding, manager supplemental funding, and service capacity payments, with potential monthly compensation varying based on geographic zone and position level. The contract allows for tribes to either provide their own caregiver support services or participate in the DCYF program, with a nuanced approach to serving diverse populations across Washington state. Contractors must meet specific utilization standards, reaching 15% utilization within nine months and 25% within eighteen months of the contract start date, with detailed reporting and performance tracking requirements.