Positive Behavior Supports and Expulsion Prevention Program (Training)

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES) is soliciting proposals for a Positive Behavior Supports and Expulsion Prevention Program (Training) through Request for Proposal (RFP) BPM007180, targeting child care providers across Arizona, including Apache County. The primary objective is to implement a comprehensive training and support program designed to minimize child suspension and expulsion through positive behavior intervention strategies. Contractors will be required to develop a tiered support intervention model, create training curricula, facilitate partnerships, and establish a communications and outreach plan across all Service Delivery Areas. Key deliverables include developing an operational database and case management system within 90 days of contract execution, collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate program effectiveness, and ensuring key personnel are qualified to provide professional development services. The RFP was issued on September 16, 2025, with a pre-offer virtual conference scheduled for September 22, 2025, and proposals are due by October 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM Phoenix time. The anticipated contract award date is December 4, 2025, with an initial contract term of one year and potential extensions.

The procurement appears open to various organizations capable of meeting the comprehensive service requirements, with no specific set-aside designations mentioned. The program will be funded through federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds, with an anticipated annual budget of approximately $1,660,056. Contractors must complete central registry background checks for all employees and subcontractors providing direct services to children and submit a detailed itemized service budget. The program prioritizes providers with active Provider Registration Agreements, those serving Arizona Department of Child Safety children, providers serving children with disabilities, and participants in Quality First programs. Successful contractors will cover service delivery areas including Apache/Navajo and eight other county regions across Arizona. The contract requires providers to maintain professional qualifications, develop extensive training curricula, and provide multiple intervention levels ranging from information sharing to specialized Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant support to prevent child care suspension and expulsion.