Summary
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) requests information from service providers, experts, families, those with lived experience, and other community-based organizations about 1) culturally specific and culturally responsive prevention services and supports that meet the needs of Black children and families in Washington State, and 2) what it takes to expand and deliver those services effectively. DCYF may use this information to inform future procurements as the agency works to continue expanding its prevention services and supports.
Context
DCYF aims to better support Black/African American children and families as part of the agency’s larger goal to build a more equitable prevention service and support system for children, youth, and families. To address this, DCYF has begun to expand its array of prevention services and supports by including those that are more culturally responsive. The agency plans to pilot a set of investments intended to help prevent entries into out-of-home care. In the coming months, the agency hopes to launch a funding opportunity for culturally responsive services that keep Black/African American children safe and supported at home with their families. In advance of that, this Request for Information (RFI) seeks to gather information from service providers, experts, families, and those with lived experience. DCYF may use this information to inform future procurements as the agency works to continue expanding its prevention services and supports.
- The deadline to submit responses to the RFI is September 22, 2023, at 5 p.m. All responses to the questions (see pages 5-7 of the RFI) must be sent via e-mail to Rachel.Denney@dcyf.wa.gov. For any other questions please feel free to reach out directly to Rachel Denney.
Note: This RFI is for informational purposes only and is not intended to result in a contract or agreement with any respondent. This RFI is not a Request for Proposals, Bids, or Applications. DCYF is seeking community insight and information to inform business, functional, operational, and technical requirements before considering the publishing of a solicitation.