The Department of Community and Human Services’ Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development Division (H2CD2) is now accepting proposals from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) or similar organizations who are interested in partnering with DCHS to oversee the General Child Care Facilities (GCCF) fund. Part of the Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) investment portfolio, GCCFF will expand access to quality early learning by funding the expansion of existing early learning center as well as supporting partnerships that result in the construction of new early learning facilities.
Funding Opportunity Overview
DCHS is pleased to release this RFP to identify a CDFI to serve as intermediary organization, managing the implementation of the GCCF fund for the PSTAA Early Learning Facilities (ELF) funding category. ELF aims to reduce educational achievement gaps by ensuring that more children develop the physical, behavioral, and cognitive abilities to thrive in kindergarten and to expand and strengthen the early learning system in King County by providing resources to family child care homes and larger, standalone centers alike.
Application Details
Available funding: Up to $32 million in funding estimated to be available for this investment
Investment Period: Funds will be available over the next five years
Questions: Please contact Andria Howerton at ahowerton@kingcounty.gov
Applications due: June 17, 2021
View important details and apply on ZoomGrants: https://kingcounty.zoomgrants.com/gprop.asp?donorid=2209&limited=3501
Join us to learn more
Proposers are encouraged to attend a pre-proposal conference, but attendance is not mandatory:
May 21, 2021 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99166664526?pwd=eXE4NVBsb0dlUWVkUHNrbFQrNmJLdz09
Meeting ID: 991 6666 4526
Passcode: Email ahowerton@kingcounty.gov for passcode
Funding Amount, RFP Funding Priorities and Eligibility
DCHS estimates up to $32 million in funding available for this investment over the next 5 years, with the majority of funding expected to be offered to early learning projects and a portion of funds available to cover the intermediary’s staffing and administrative costs. An exact budget will be determined and negotiated with the winning Proposer at the time of contract negotiations.
Equity and Social Justice
Consistent with DCHS values related to Equity and Social Justice, our goal with this investment is to ensure that all people, regardless of who they are and where they live, have the opportunity to thrive, with full and equal access to opportunities, power, and resources.
When looking at proposals, we will use the Equity Statement and Equity Questions developed by the Children and Youth Advisory Board (see below) to ensure to prioritize investments will advance equitable educational outcomes for youth.
CYAB Equity Statement
- Equity is an ardent journey toward well-being as defined by the affected.
- Equity demands sacrifice and redistribution of power and resources in order to dismantle systems of oppression, heal continuing wounds, and realize justice.
- To achieve equity and social justice, we must first root out deeply entrenched systems of racism.
- Equity proactively builds strong foundations of agency, is vigilant for unintended consequences, and boldly aspires to be restorative.
- Equity is disruptive and uncomfortable and not voluntary.
- Equity is fundamental to the community we want to build.
CYAB Equity Statement-Based Questions
- Has this proposal been defined by the affected?
- In what ways will this proposal lead to a redistribution of power?
- How does this proposal help to root out systems of racism?
- How does this proposal proactively build strong foundations of agency?
- How is this proposal vigilant for unintended consequences?
- How does this proposal aspire to be restorative?
- What systems does this proposal disrupt and how?
- How does this proposal help build a beloved community?
This RFP process will also prioritize programs and facilities designed to improve educational outcomes for students in vulnerable and underserved populations, also referred to as the PSTAA prioritized populations in King County Council Motion 15492. Additionally, as required by Washington State, and to ensure geographic diversity, PSTAA funds will be prioritized for investment in the geographic subareas where ST3 expansion is focused. These sub-areas consist of north, south, and east King County.
Interested Proposers may partner with another organization to submit one application for this RFP. However, a single organization must be designated as the lead and enter into a contract with DCHS for this work.
Timeline
| Event | Timeline |
| RFP Release Date | May 13, 2021 |
| Pre-Proposal Conference (via Zoom) | May 21, 2021 |
| Final Day to Submit Questions (via ZoomGrants) | May 26, 2021 |
| Proposals due | June 17, 2021 |
| Proposals Reviewed and Rated | June 21 – July 9, 2021 |
| Notification of Outcome (all Proposers) | August 2021 |
| Contract Negotiations with Selected Proposer | August – September 2021 |
| Estimated Contract Start | October – November 2021 |
