The City of Oakland, Office of the Department of Human Services/Children and Family Services Division has announced a Request for Proposals for Head Start Early Childcare Partnerships.
Donor Name: City of Oakland
State: California
City: Oakland
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/21/2023
Grant Duration: 10 months
Details:
The COOHS seeks experienced and motivated non – profit organizations, private, public agencies or family childcare providers to provide direct early childhood development services to children prenatal through 5 years of age. THE COOHS seeks an immediate partnership/s to provide service for 15 Early Head Start slots and/or 31 Head Start slots as well as proposals for imminent expansion of services when additional funding becomes available.
The City of Oakland Head Start is a federal, state and city funded early childhood education program beginning at pregnancy and aimed to promote school readiness of children ages birth to age five for families who meet income and other eligibility guidelines. The program does this by supporting children’s growth and development. They offer free early childhood education and care, prenatal education and family services to eligible Oakland residents in addition to the following comprehensive services:
- Individualized Early Childhood Education: Head Start and Early Head Start prepare children for kindergarten using a variety of learning experiences for each individual child. Staff and parents work together to implement an Individual Development Plan for each child. The program focuses on every child’s intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth and development.
- Health Services: All children are connected to medical insurance and a regular medical provider and are assisted in receiving regular, preventative care including immunizations and well visits. Children receive health and development screenings, vision screenings, dental care and mental health support. The program emphasizes the importance of preventive care to keep children healthy and early identification of health concerns.
- Mental Health Services: Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families, and staff. Staff build relationships with every child and his/her family by creating environments that are supportive and by using positive teaching strategies. The mental health of children and the adults that care for them is essential for school readiness. The Community Mental Health Partners help connect families to additional services and resources.
- Family Services: Head Start supports and strengthens parent-child relationships by engaging families in their children’s learning and development. Families work together with the staff through Family Partnership Agreements to both set goals and achieve them. They also collaborate with Community Partners to connect families to additional services and resources.
- Disabilities Services: 10% of slots must serve children with disabilities who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
- Nutrition Services: Every child is served nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks daily through the US Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Period of Performance
COOHS anticipates funding contracts for a ten (10) – month period from August 1st, 2023 – June 1st 2024, with the possibility of contract renewal pending annual performance, compliance review, and availability of funding.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Children and Families
- Head Start serves children from birth-to-five, whose families have incomes below the federal poverty level. Federal regulations permits up to 10 percent of enrolled children to be from families whose income exceeds the federal poverty level. Head Start requires that a minimum of 10 percent of funded slots in the program be filled by children formally diagnosed with disabilities (Individual Education Program/Individual Family Service Plan). Such children are expected to be enrolled and receive the full range of Head Start services, including providing activities in an inclusive or natural setting with their non-disabled peers, and receive special education and related services.
- Eligibility and Expected Minimum Qualifications
- Eligibility is limited to local public, private non-profit organizations and family childcare providers that are positioned to provide EHS and HS services to eligible children birth-to-five, foster children, and homeless families within the City of Oakland.
- Expected minimum qualifications for prospective subrecipients to become a City of Oakland Early Head Start and/or Head Start-State Preschool subrecipient are as follows:
- Experience with operating licensed public subsidized childcare, preschool programs, or other educational programs.
- Complies with state licensing and employment laws.
- Maintains adequate insurance coverage.
- A minimum of 10% of total enrollment shall serve children with disabilities.
- Has a qualified program director with a minimum education level of a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field, five (5) years of experience, and a state CDE Program Director Permit.
- Implements a research-based curriculum.
- Ability to facilitate and include decisions made by the policy committee, comprised primarily of parents with children currently enrolled in the program.
- Ability of administration and governing body to share appropriate decision making with the policy committee.
- Experience in parent and family development.
- Agrees to meet additional program requirements identified in law, regulations, or the City of Oakland contract
- Minimum Mandatory Requirements
- Interested proposers must be able to demonstrate their ability to successfully provide the required services of this RFQ. Applications where any of the following conditions exist will be disqualified:
- Revocation of a site license by a state or local licensing agency within the past five years
- Type A Citation as a result of a child’s personal rights violation or lack of supervision in the last three (3) years.
- Relinquishment of a federal, state, or local grant within the past five (5) years prior to the grant being defunded by the funding entity
- Experienced a negative net asset within the past three (3) years
- Debarment from receiving federal or state funds from any federal or state department or agency or have been disqualified from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
- Interested proposers must be able to demonstrate their ability to successfully provide the required services of this RFQ. Applications where any of the following conditions exist will be disqualified:
For more information, visit City of Oakland.
