Staffed Family Child Care Network (SFCCN) Hub

The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a strategic partner to serve as a "superstructure" or "hub" for the state's Staffed Family Child Care Networks (SFCCN) within Hartford County. The primary objective is to support regional family child care networks, elevate the family child care profession, and lead capacity-building initiatives that enhance both the pedagogical and operational aspects of running child care businesses. Specific deliverables include developing comprehensive support systems for family child care providers, creating capacity-building programs, and establishing a robust infrastructure to strengthen the state's early childhood care ecosystem. The RFP requires potential vendors to submit a detailed proposal, including a completed budget template and comprehensive RFP document. The solicitation period opens on July 23, 2024, at 4:30 PM EDT, with a vendor Q&A period running from July 23 to August 27, 2024. Proposals are due by September 4, 2024, at 5:00 PM ET, and interested parties must direct any questions to Paula DeMarco at the Office of Early Childhood via email at oec.rfp.eceqi@ct.gov or phone at 860-500-4544.

The RFP does not specify any explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types that can respond, indicating the opportunity is open to all qualified vendors. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are mentioned in the documentation. The total estimated funding for this initiative is up to $4.2 million, to be distributed over a three-year period, suggesting a significant investment in developing a sustainable family child care system. The contract aims to create a comprehensive support structure that enables parents to work, pursue education, and maintain confidence in their children's care. While specific evaluation criteria are not exhaustively detailed in the provided documents, the selection will likely prioritize vendors with demonstrated expertise in early childhood education, network development, and organizational capacity-building. The funding represents OEC's long-term vision to create a robust, supportive ecosystem for family child care providers in Connecticut, with a particular focus on Hartford County.