2025-2026: RFP - Healthy Children

REGISTER for the PROPOSER'S CONFERENCE (VIA ZOOM):

WHEN: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 10AM Eastern Time

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lzHd4dvbTC2RXQ-Jn8M_Jw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.  A recording of the webinar will be available on the CSCMC website.

SOLICITATION

Children's Services Council of Martin County (CSCMC) invites eligible community service organizations to submit applications in response to this competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process under the following Funding Priority Area (CSCMC Policy 3): Healthy Children for the funding cycle of October 1, 2025–September 30, 2026.

CSCMC will accept proposals under the following subcategories:

1. Maternal and Infant Health

2. Mental Health and Substance Use

3. Physical Health

To be eligible to apply for CSCMC funding, the Provider must meet the following conditions:

1.1a CSCMC funds not-for-profit corporations, incorporated organizations, neighborhood organizations, and local government organizations.  For-profit organizations are prohibited from applying for CSCMC funds.

1.1b Organizations or programs that operate under the exclusive jurisdiction of the public school system are prohibited from applying for funds directly from CSCMC.

1.1c Programs requiring worship or religious instructional activities, as a condition of participation, shall not be funded.

1.1d Programs or organizations with their own taxing authority are limited to two years of CSCMC funding. Subsequent eligibility for funding must be approved by Council on an annual basis, unless otherwise approved by CSCMC. 

CSCMC Council has waived the above requirement of a written request for the City of Stuart, Florida and for Martin County, Florida, in perpetuity, until terminated by CSCMC Council, with or without cause, and upon written notification to those organizations.

1.1e CSCMC-funded programs are required to:

• Be in direct alignment with the goals and strategies of the current CSCMC Strategic Plan; and
• Not supplant existing resources; and
• Involve collaborations with other community partners in the public and/or private sector.

1.1f The target population for the purposes of CSCMC funding is limited to Martin County children and youth, prenatal up to 18 years of age or older if still in high school or currently enrolled in a program funded by CSCMC, or with disabilities as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and under 22 years of age, and the family members or primary caregivers of those children and individuals.

1.1g CSCMC will not provide funding to organizations for the acquisition of real property.

NOTE: Higher ranking numerical scores on proposals do not necessarily assure a funding recommendation.  Factors considered include, but are not limited to, past performance of individual organizations; duplication of services; proposed unduplicated number of participants; costs for services; array of services; location of services; relevant experience and qualifications; financial viability and stability of the agency, among others.

Subcategory 1: Maternal and Infant Health

Program models/initiatives to promote optimum maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce maternal/infant risk.

CSCMC is seeking program models/initiatives that support a coordinated countywide provider system of care, with comprehensive service integration and access to high-quality services necessary to support optimum maternal and infant health outcomes for Martin County pregnant women and their babies.

• A local system of risk-appropriate care in place, with access and coordination to ensure mothers and infants are in receipt of timely services per needs, social behavioral characteristics, conditions/medical comorbidities, etc., with assurances of continuity of care for those uninsured and underinsured.    
• Care and services that lessen the potential negative effect of disparities and that promote and sustain optimum levels/rates of maternal and infant health outcomes.
• Support of maternal mental health with ideal practices of perinatal depression screening intervals, measurement instruments and protocol for indicated follow-up, referrals, etc.
• Clinical and non-clinical services in support of and responsive to maternal and infant care needs.

Subcategory 2: Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Prevention and Early Intervention

Preventative and early intervention programs/initiatives to promote positive children's mental/behavioral health; and/or prevent and reduce the use of substances; and/or address bullying, to reduce its negative effects.

CSCMC is seeking prevention and early intervention program models/initiatives that support a coordinated countywide provider system of care, with comprehensive service integration and access to high-quality services necessary to support children’s mental/behavioral health; to prevent and/or reduce substance use; and/or to address bullying and its negative effects. Comprehensive programming includes the engagement of and/or collaboration with the adults and parents/guardians involved in the lives of child participants.

• Evidence-based prevention and/or treatment intervention, within a zero-suicide framework, with industry standard assessment and program measurement methodology, to improve status and to sustain gains re: indicators of mental/behavioral health for infants, children and adolescents.
• Evidence-based prevention strategies and/or treatment intervention, with industry standard assessment and program measurement methodology, to prevent and reduce the use of alcohol, vapes, illicit drugs, other substances, while promoting resistance skill-building.
• Multiple exposure, evidence-based education strategies and/or curricula, to reduce the occurrence of bullying and its negative effects, including self-harming behavior.
• Service delivery that reduces wait list times; expands access for the underinsured and uninsured; and addresses barriers to care, to ensure timely, equitable access.

Subcategory 3: Physical Health

Preventative and early intervention program models/initiatives to promote healthy behaviors, support optimum physical health and respond to child health needs.

CSCMC is seeking prevention and early intervention program models/initiatives that support a coordinated countywide provider system of care, with comprehensive service integration and access to high-quality services necessary to improve and sustain children’s health status. Comprehensive programming includes the engagement of and/or collaboration with the adults and parents/guardians involved in the lives of child participants.

• Promotion of child/youth healthy weight utilizing evidence-based interventions and/or curricula paired with parent/guardian participation.
• Optimum rates of children/youth in receipt of health screenings/assessments/services with support for transition into care, e.g., through case management, healthcare navigation.
• An oral health care system that promotes local access to care; dental homes and associated long-term, continuous care; reduced levels of urgent and emergency care response; preventative/restorative care for children/youth without primary dental care; and universal school-based dental health services.