RFP: Strong Families / Safe Communities

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

When: April 4, 2022 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time 
Topic: Proposer's Conference: Strong Families & Safe Communities

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wawI2LoMROCEu6jY8evGDw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

SOLICITATION

CSCMC invites eligible community service organizations to submit applications in response to this competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process under the following two Funding Priority Areas (CSCMC Policy 3):

I. Strong, Nurturing Families and 

II. Safe, Stable Communities

Funding Cycle:  October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023

CSCMC will accept proposals under the following funding priority subcategories:

I. Strong, Nurturing Families

A1. Resource Navigation and/or A2. Family-Centered Coaching toward Economic Self-Sufficiency*

*Preferences for proposed programs with two-generational approaches per family stability and economic self-reliance.  Applicants responding to both A1 and A2 sections may be higher prioritized within the review process.

B. Parent Education within a Protective Factors Framework

II.  Safe, Stable Communities

A. Delinquency and Gang Involvement

B.  Absenteeism / Out-of-School Suspension

C.  Bullying and Victimization

D.  Healthy Relationships: Intimate Partner Violence

The following CSCMC-funded programs in the Strong, Nurturing Families and the Safe, Stable Communities Funding Priority Areas are required to submit an online application to be considered for 2022-2023 CSCMC funding:

Strong, Nurturing Families

• Boys Town South Florida, Inc. - In-Home Family Services
• Helping People Succeed - Healthy Families Martin Match
• Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc. - (The David Cardno) Father & Child Resource Center
• Treasure Coast Food Bank, Inc. - Whole Child Connection 

Safe, Stable Communities

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, Inc. - The HERO Challenge
• City of Stuart Community Services Department - ESYI - City of Stuart Police Intervention Program
• SafeSpace, Inc. - SafeSpace Prevention Program
• Tykes & Teens, Inc. - Alternative to Out-of-School Suspension (ALTOSS)

Providers that have a CSCMC-funded program that is NOT listed above and do not wish to propose a new program under the Strong, Nurturing Families and Safe, Stable Communities RFP, do not need to submit an application at this time.  CSCMC will notify providers as to what will be required for the 2022-2023 funding cycle. 

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 annal basis, unless otherwise approved by CSCMC.

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 if developmentally disabled 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.

Strong, Nurturing Families and Safe, Stable Communities

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young children experience their world through their relationships with parents and other caregivers.  Safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments are essential to prevent early adversity, including child abuse and neglect.  They also shape the development of children's physical, emotional, social, behavioral, and intellectual capacities.  As a result, promoting safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments can have a positive impact on a broad range of problems and on the development of skills that help assure that all children reach their full potential.

Safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments are promoted through sustained, comprehensive efforts that include prevention activities and evidence-based strategies with involvement among multiple sectors.  Shared interests, investments and policies that positively impact children and their caregivers build stronger, safer families and communities in which every child can thrive.

(Publication: Essentials for Childhood: Creating Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships and Environments for All Children, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Settings with a consistency of high emotional support positively contribute to a child's social-emotional learning (SEL).  Social competence translates to a child's ability to understand and manage their emotions and behavior, feel empathy for others, develop healthy identities, build close relationships with peers, and practice cognitive flexibility (www.wallacefoundaton.org 'Navigating SEL from the Inside Out: Looking Inside & Across 33 Leading SEL Programs, July 2021').

Additionally, practices and approaches that support a trauma-informed culture can decrease the residual of adverse experiences, create welcoming, safe environments and systems for children, and build community resiliency (www.countyhealthrankings.org 'Creating a Resilient Community' June 2019).