Request for Information Independent Living Skills

The Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is issuing Request for Information 26-DCYF-ILS 108 to gather prospective input on the design and delivery of an integrated Independent Living Skills Program (IL) and Foster Care Housing Program (FCHP) for transition-age youth, with responses due October 30, 2026 and participant questions due October 15, 2026. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and will not result in a contract award; it is intended to inform development of a future RFP anticipated in 2027.

DCYF seeks input from prospective agencies, organizations, housing providers, and interested parties on best practices, resource constraints, and innovative strategies for combining these two service programs. The integrated program will feature three service tiers—Tier 1 (On-Demand), Tier 2 (Standard), and Tier 3 (Intensive)—providing flexible, youth-centered support addressing housing stabilization, independent living skills, education and career advancement, case management, and waiting list mitigation.

Key service components are housing stabilization and navigation, independent living skills development, education and career advancement, case management and counseling, and waiting list mitigation strategies. The RFI questionnaire addresses vendor profile, program integration requirements, tiered program design including youth movement between tiers and re-engagement strategies, and housing services including placement timelines, barriers to housing youth, and partnership opportunities with philanthropic and community-based organizations.

DCYF will not reimburse costs incurred in preparing RFI responses, and no preference will be given to vendors based on RFI participation or involvement in demonstrations outside of a competitive solicitation process. All materials submitted become property of the Department and are considered public records. Questions must be directed to RFI Coordinator Rachel Denney at Rachel.Denney@dcyf.wa.gov. Aggregated answers to participant questions will be distributed via amendment on October 20, 2026. All RFI activities are facilitated through Washington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) system at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/.