2024 Funding Opportunities

The Request for Proposals (RFP) is available to download. However, you must complete the application through e-Cimpact.

First Steps Kent is pleased to offer eight funding opportunities for the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage. Details and requirements for each funding opportunity are included in the Request for Proposal (RFP). The proposal deadline is Thursday, June 1 at 3 p.m.

Funding Opportunity 1: Outreach and Navigation Services - Coordinated Outreach, Screening, and Navigation

As families are engaged, programs work to identify the needs of families through formal screening, as well as conversation with the individuals, served.​ As needs are identified, navigation will offer connections and address barriers to access and utilization of services, information, and resources.

Download the complete RFP. (The Outreach and Navigation RFP begins on page 15). Complete the application through e-CImpact.

Funding Opportunity 2: Healthy Development Services

Healthy Development programming will follow an evidence-based or evidence-informed approach. Programming in this area will focus on improving outcomes related to healthy births, child health, and well-being as well as ensuring children are developmentally on track. Proposals may include one of the following four categories of programming: Healthy Expectant and New Parent Programming Developmental, Social Emotional Screenings and Connection, Healthy and Safe Home Environment Programming, and Niche Family Supports.

Download the complete RFP. (The Healthy Development Services RFP begins on page 19). Complete the application through e-CImpact.

Funding Opportunity 3: Parent Education and Support Services

Parent Education and Support programming ensures parents have the knowledge and skills to support their children’s health, development, and learning. Services provide in-home and/or community-based support and education. Proposals under this opportunity may apply under one of the following: Home Visiting Programming and Child Safety Initiatives.

Download the complete RFP. (The Parent Education and Support Services RFP begins on page 26). Complete the application through e-CImpact.

Funding Opportunity 4: Early Learning Services

This includes programming that supports early learning and development and responds to the diverse families and children residing in Kent County. Agencies may apply under one of the following two program types: Play and Learn Programming and Early Literacy and Learning.

Download the complete RFP. (The Early Learning Services RFP begins on page 31). Complete the application through e-CImpact.

Funding Opportunity 5: Parent Education and Support Language Services

This category funds agencies that specialize in and provide interpretation and translation services (in-person, telephone, and written). Services are intended for families enrolled in all Ready by Five funded services. Language needs include but are not limited to Spanish, Nepali, Kinyarwanda, Serbo-Croatian, Swahili, Burmese, American Sign Language, Vietnamese, and Karen. 

Download the complete RFP. (The Parent Education and Support Language Services RFP begins on page 36). Complete the application through e-CImpact.

Funding Opportunity 6: Outreach and Navigation Technology Solutions

The Early Education Link will develop enhanced infrastructure that will provide up-to-date information about the current child care openings available in Kent County ensuring families are accessing every available care spot. Programming in this area will leverage technology to foster better connections between families and child care providers. Agencies applying under this program type will develop an online “Platform” that will organize and provide access to information related to current child care openings in Kent County.

Download the complete RFP. (The Outreach and Navigation Technology RFP begins on page 39). Complete the application through e-CImpact.

Funding Opportunity 7:  Healthy Development Infant Health

This funding opportunity seeks proposals that ensure services are addressing the social, equity, economic, and health factors that contribute to healthy births in Kent County. Ready by Five is requesting proposals to select one organization to lead the implementation and ongoing management of the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Network for Kent County.

Download the complete RFP. (The Healthy Development Infant Health RFP begins on page 44). Complete the application through e-CImpact.

Funding Opportunity 8: Healthy Development Training

This funding will increase knowledge in the network through the support of training opportunities for all direct service professionals funded by Ready by Five and their direct supervisors. First Steps Kent requests the delivery of training by professionals with expertise in each topic. Training topics will address the following areas: Responding to family needs with a trauma-informed approach, Understanding implicit bias, Domestic violence, and family safety –how to respond and support families with young children, and Quality program practices to improve services to families with young children.

Download the complete RFP. (The Healthy Development Training RFP begins on page 47). Complete the application through e-CImpact.

Please Note: First Steps Kent reserves the right to modify these funding areas. All updates regarding funding opportunities and information regarding the funding process and the Requests for Proposal process, including additional specifications for each service and program type, will be posted to the First Steps Kent website.

Resources:

The time for questions closed on May 8, 2023. Final answers will be posted here no later than May 12, 2023.

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