2021-2022 Request For Proposal - Children's Services Advisory Committee

The Children's Services Advisory Committee (CSAC), an advisory committee to the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, is now accepting applications for the grant period beginning October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. This Request for Proposal (RFP) allows not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, government agencies and individuals, to apply for funding of children's programs in Indian River County. Organizations submitting proposals will be required to demonstrate how their proposed program's focus and impact are aligned with at least one of the Focus Areas of Need outlined below.

Please review the full RFP attachment for complete details and instructions. The deadline for submission is 2:00 PM Monday, MAY 3, 2021.

FOCUS AREAS OF NEED

1. Early Childhood Development. This encompasses birth to age 5. For the younger children this would mean improving their interactions with caregivers beginning at birth and with focus on physical, social emotional and cognitive development. It would include improving the quality of childcare, Pre-K and Voluntary Pre-K providers. Providers must complete developmental screenings at appropriate intervals and make referrals where necessary.
2. Quality remediation and enrichment programs that include a meaningful component of social emotional skill building and academic instruction. Programs should be free/affordable and accessible (transportation) to parents and children. They should include quality instruction, be properly staffed and have enough dosing to make a meaningful impact on a child. We hold agencies to a high standard of what constitutes academic enrichment and intervention. Mentoring programs are included.
3. Build Parent Capacity. This encompasses improving parenting skills at every age of a child's life and providing support mechanisms for parents, including the pre-natal period. Parents should be taught the importance of wellness of the whole child (medical, dental, mental health and developmental) in addition to meeting their basic needs. A priority would be new parents, first-time and single parents and those in the poverty pockets. Additionally, parents need to be assisted in obtaining developmental screenings at all stages of a child's development starting at 2 months.
4. Programs that address risky youth behavior. Evidence-based programs that help children and teens develop the tools to become productive, healthy, law-abiding citizens and address risky behavior (e.g., chronic absenteeism, substance use, delinquency, violence, teen pregnancy, STDs, bullying, depression and other mental health problems).
   

NOTE: Across all focus areas, importance will be on areas that have been most impacted by COVID-19 such as trauma and mental health of children, regression in school and increased substance use. Evidence-based programs that can address these challenges will be prioritized.

Applications are electronic and can be completed using e-CImpact. If you do not have an e-CImpact account or require technical assistance, please contact Nate Bruckner at (772) 567-8900 x114 or Nate.Bruckner@UnitedWayIRC.org.

For questions related to the RFP and grant application process, please contact Leigh Anne Uribe at (772) 226-1467 or luribe@IRCgov.com.