RFP #2025-26-02 Mental Health Consultant Services for Early Head Start & Head Start

Eastern Oregon University Head Start (EOUHS) has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) #2025-26-02 for a licensed Mental Health Consultant to support its Early Head Start and Head Start programs during the 2025-2026 school year. The consultant will provide comprehensive mental health services for children ages 0-5 and their families across rural Eastern Oregon, with specific responsibilities including program-wide mental health consultation, staff training, family engagement support, and individual child consultations. The RFP emphasizes integration of Conscious Discipline methodology, with an ideal candidate possessing at least 5 years of experience with Head Start populations and certification as a Conscious Discipline Instructor or Master Trainer. Evaluation of proposals will follow a 115-point scoring system, with points distributed across categories such as experience and expertise (25 points), Conscious Discipline expertise (20 points), training and coaching capacity (15 points), credentials and qualifications (15 points), cost proposal (10 points), references (5 points), and responses to specific questions (25 points). Key dates include clarifying questions due by 10/10/2025, proposal submissions due by 10/15/2025, and an anticipated contract award date of 11/1/2025. The selected consultant must be prepared to provide a minimum of 750 consulting hours between August 2025 and June 2026.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Proposers must submit a comprehensive proposal package including a letter of interest, resume, fee proposal, client references, and complete the attached tax laws and non-discrimination certification form. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the contract is specific to supporting EOUHS programs in Umatilla County, Oregon. The RFP requires the mental health consultant to work closely with existing Early Head Start and Head Start program infrastructure, integrating their services seamlessly with current organizational practices and the Conscious Discipline framework. Though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the requirement of 750 consulting hours suggests a substantial engagement. Interested mental health professionals must be licensed and demonstrate significant expertise in working with early childhood populations, with a strong preference for those with proven experience in Head Start or similar educational and developmental support programs.