Request for Proposals: Early Childhood Systems Consultant

Background and Purpose

Established in 1994, the Chatham County Partnership for Children (CCPC) is a public, private
non- profit organization, which administers Smart Start funds and services for children ages birth
through five and their families in Chatham County, North Carolina. Smart Start is North
Carolina’s statewide, award-winning early childhood initiative. Effective January 1, 2016, Chatham
County Partnership for Children merged with the former nonprofit, Child Care Networks, and
now serves as the lead Resource and Referral Agency for Region 13 (a 5-county region including
Chatham, Lee, Harnett, Johnston, and Wayne Counties). CCPC also serves as the contractor for
the NC Pre- Kindergarten Program in Chatham County and is a Sponsoring Organization with
the Child Care and Adult Food Program (CACFP) supporting child care facilities in 12 NC
counties.

The mission of CCPC is to work with our community partners and families to ensure that all
children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Governed by a 16-member Board of
Directors, the Partnership primarily focuses its services on children birth to age 5 (kindergarten
entry) who live in Chatham County.

Chatham County Partnership for Children was recently awarded a contract with the Chatham
Education Foundation to prepare a study of the opportunities, barriers, and costs to expand
access to high quality pre-K for 40-year-olds in Chatham County. CCPC plans to integrate this
Supply and Demand study with our broader Community Needs Assessment scheduled to
commence in March of 2022. This Needs Assessment will identify the key challenges and
opportunities that families, caregivers, and teachers of children ages birth to 5. The end goal of
the integrate Supply and Demand Study and Needs Assessment will be to create a comprehensive
Early Childhood Action Plan and long-term financing model for the county’s investment in early
childhood, include of expanded Pre-K for Chatham’s four-year-olds and services for children
birth to three.

The purpose of this RFP is to engage a consultant who can assist in the development,
execution, and analysis of CCPC’s Supply and Demand Study and Needs Assessment to ensure
that the process is comprehensive of all available data, and equitable and inclusive of all
segments of Chatham County’s population.

What We Need/Want

We seek an inclusive and forward-thinking community needs assessment and strategic
planning process that will result in a clear picture of the landscape of Early Childhood in
Chatham County; actionable goals, priorities, and outcomes related to early childhood; and
a concrete financing proposal to for local government investment in Chatham County’s
early childhood systems.

We want this process to include:

• Inclusive data collection, analysis, and summary that engages key stakeholders in our
  community, including parents, caregivers, and early childhood educators
• Integrated use of existing available data sets (such as publicly available population
  statistics and data available through early childhood partners such as the Division of
  Child Development and Early Education or the CCR&R Council), quantitative data
  collected through community surveys, and qualitative data collected through
  community interviews and focus groups.
• Analysis of the cost of recommended programs and services, the necessary
  investment in early childhood based on identified need, current investment in early
  childhood system, and the gap between the current and necessary investment. This
  will result in the creation of a long-term financing model to propose to county
  government for support of Early Childhood Systems in Chatham County.

Key Deliverables of this project will be:

• Consultation to develop a qualified Supply and Demand study, including:
  • Survey Development
  • Focus Group structure, selection, and interviews
  • Other study components recommended by consultant
• Consultation to conduct a qualified supply and demand study, including:
  • A descriptive analysis of existing pre-school and pre-k services in Chatham,
    including accreditation and rating status, license capacity, targeted vs maximum
    enrollments, ability to support special needs children, transition to kindergarten
    practices, staffing qualifications/demographics/turnover, hours of operation,
    rates and fees, services such as transportation, etc.
  • Survey of key stakeholders (including parents, caregivers, and teachers) and
    analysis of resulting data that describes parent and caregiver’s attitudes,
    perspectives, and barriers to participating in preschool and pre-k in Chatham;
    current childcare arrangements for working families in Chatham; early
    childhood educators’ attitudes, perspectives, and barriers to expanding pre-k in
    Chatham (such as workforce, teacher education, costs); and family viewpoints
    on pre-k programs including their interest in publicly funded pre-k and features
    of importance.
• Consultation for survey and other data analysis, including:
  • Analysis and visualization of survey data that illustrates key trends and considerations
  • Analysis of the cost of recommended programs and services, the necessary investment
    in early childhood based on identified need, current investment in early childhood
    system, and the gap between the current and necessary investment. This will result in
    the creation of a long-term financing model to propose to county government for
    support of Early Childhood Systems in Chatham County.

Compensation
The Chatham County Partnership for Children will compensate the organization or individual on
an agreed upon schedule throughout the contract period.
Compensation for the work is not expected to exceed $15,000.

Responding to the RFP
Proposed Timeline for the process: March 2022-December 2022
(May be negotiable based on agency and/or contractor needs.)

Individuals/organizations responding to the RFP should provide the following:

1) Describe your background and qualifications to complete the work.

• Knowledge of and expertise in the Early Childhood Systems in North Carolina
• Experience in the development and execution of comprehensive community needs assessments, supply and demand studies, and/or strategic plans
• Knowledge and experience in data collection, analysis, visualization, and reporting for community needs assessments and supply and demand studies
• Knowledge of early childhood data sources and experience in successfully developing data sharing agreements or obtaining requested data from state and local partners

2) Describe your process for providing consultation and support for community needs
assessments, data collection, and data analysis, and data visualization and reporting.
Please be sure to address:

• Your process for developing and executing study designs and surveys
• Your process working with clients and partners to identify data sources and collect
  additional data
• Your approach to identifying data sharing partnerships
• Your approach to analyzing, visualizing, and reporting data for supply and demand
  studies and community needs assessments.

3) A draft of your proposed services, including a description of any data collection,
analysis, and or visualization services you could provide directly.

4) Budget
Please ensure that your proposal includes a not-to-exceed cost with accompanying budget
detailing the number of hours, hourly rate, and other expenses.

RFP responses are due by 5pm on Friday, April 1st, 2022 and are to be submitted
electronically only to:
Elizabeth Anderson, Program Director
elizabeth@chathamkids.org

Questions and inquiries may be submitted between March 8 and March 25, 2022 ,
to Genevieve Megginson, Executive Director, genevieve@chathamkids.org (email preferred),
or at(919) 542-7449, ext. 124

Request for Proposals: Community Engagement and Research Services

Background and Purpose

Established in 1994, the Chatham County Partnership for Children (CCPC) is a public, private
non- profit organization, which administers Smart Start funds and services for children ages birth
through five and their families in Chatham County, North Carolina. Smart Start is North
Carolina’s statewide, award-winning early childhood initiative. Effective January 1, 2016, Chatham
County Partnership for Children merged with the former nonprofit, Child Care Networks, and
now serves as the lead Resource and Referral Agency for Region 13 (a 5-county region including
Chatham, Lee, Harnett, Johnston, and Wayne Counties). CCPC also serves as the contractor for
the NC Pre- Kindergarten Program in Chatham County and is a Sponsoring Organization with
the Child Care and Adult Food Program (CACFP) supporting child care facilities in 12 NC
counties.

The mission of CCPC is to work with our community partners and families to ensure that all
children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Governed by a 16-member Board of
Directors, the Partnership primarily focuses its services on children birth to age 5 (kindergarten
entry) who live in Chatham County.

Chatham County Partnership for Children desires to study and better understand the attitudes,
perspectives, and barriers to accessing early childhood education in Chatham County. To that
end, the Partnership has undertaken to conduct a multi-faceted Comprehensive Community
Assessment to identify the key challenges, opportunities, and barriers facing families, caregivers,
and teachers of children ages birth to 5 years. The end goal will be to create a comprehensive,
data informed Early Childhood Action Plan (ECAP) and long-term financing model for
investment in early childhood education and services for children birth to kindergarten in
Chatham County. The framework for the ECAP will follow the recently adopted NC Early
Childhood Action Plan.

Our vision is to better inform policy leaders and their decisions the structure of and investments
in the early childhood service support system. We desire a process which elevates the
perspectives of parents and caregivers of young children ages birth to 5 years, before the age of
Kindergarten. We also value the input and perspectives of the direct services providers serving
families with young children.

The purpose of this RFP is to engage a specialized consultant to conduct community
engagement process that explores and documents current needs, perspectives and visions for
childcare and child wellness in Chatham County, while also fostering community dialog. We
expect this process to be inclusive of a diverse cross section of key constituents including
families, caregivers, and early educators of children age birth to 5 years (kindergarten age).
We are seeking a research-based approach to community engagement and visioning that utilizes
interviews, documentary film, quantitative analysis and a structured public input process.

Compensation

The Chatham County Partnership for Children will compensate the organization or individual on
an agreed upon schedule throughout the contract period.

for the work is expected to be in the range of $25,000 to $50,000.

Responding to the RFP

Proposed Timeline for the process: April 2022-December 2022
(See attached detailed timeline)

Individuals/organizations responding to the RFP should provide the following:

1) Describe your background and qualifications to complete the work.

• Knowledge, expertise, and experience in the design and execution of
  comprehensive community needs assessments and strategic plans
• Expertise and experience integrating qualitative and quantitative data from data from
  public sources and local stakeholders

2) PROPOSED SERVICES
Provide a detailed description of your proposed process and key deliverables as well as
limits on expectations for your services. Please also answer these questions: How will you
approach the work? What makes your approach uniquely suited for our purposes? What
do you require from the Partnership for Children and study participants?
Please be sure to address:

• Your process for working with clients and partners to create engagement and
  support for the assessment process
• Your approach to identify data sources and developing data presentation
• Your plans for providing support and technical assistance to the Partnership
  throughout their process

3) Cost Proposal
Please ensure that your cost proposal identifies key deliverables and a payment schedule.
An initial payment/advance may be requested as part of the payment schedule.

RFP responses are due by 5pm on Friday, April 1st, 2022 and are to be submitted
electronically only to:
Elizabeth Anderson, Program Director
elizabeth@chathamkids.org

Questions and inquiries may be submitted between March 8 and March 25, 2022 ,
to Genevieve Megginson, Executive Director, genevieve@chathamkids.org (email preferred),
or at(919) 542-7449, ext. 124

Chatham County Partnership for Children is a proud partner in the Chatham Solidarity Fund.

In Chatham County, we always step up to help our neighbors. In these challenging times, local families need your generosity and solidarity. Your donation to the Chatham Solidarity Fund will ensure that some of the most vulnerable families can make it through this crisis.

Hundreds of our Chatham County neighbors will not receive a stimulus checks or unemployment benefits simply because of their immigration status, despite contributing federal, state, social security and other taxes. Their U.S. Citizen children are also being excluded from the stimulus benefits.

Many of these families are out of work or had their work hours reduced. Without access to health insurance and other social safety nets, they’re facing severe hardships. The Chatham Solidarity Fund is going to help these low-income families and children.

Your donation will be shared directly with individuals and families in need. The amount distributed will depend on how much we are able to raise with your help.

Our goal is to raise $360,000 by May 20. Can you help?

We’re asking that:

1,000 people give $120

AND

1,000 people give $240

Will you be a part of the 2,000 generous people who share

their stimulus check with families in need?

Please give as much as you can, we are grateful for ALL donations!

Please contribute today and help us spread the word:

Donate via Facebook

Donate online

Mail a check to:

Hispanic Liaison
c/o Solidarity Fund
200 N. Chatham Ave.
Siler City, NC 27344

The Solidarity Fund is being administered by The Hispanic Liaison, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
EIN# 56-1974043.

Thank you for your generosity!

WHO WILL YOU BE HELPING?

Chatham residents financially impacted* by the pandemic AND who don’t qualify for the stimulus checks and/or unemployment benefits.

We recognize that there are many more families in need. Our intention is to ensure that families in Chatham are not left out simply because of their immigration status.

*Financially impacted are people who lost their jobs, had their work hours reduced or are self-employed and not able to exercise their profession (ex: house cleaners, food sales, childcare providers, etc.)

HOW WILL THE FUND WORK?

• A simple application form will be available soon!
• Once the fundraiser is completed, a selection committee will review the applications and oversee the distribution of funds.
• Qualifying individuals and families will receive the money directly. They’ll decide how to spend it.

The Solidarity Fund is a collaborative effort of the following organizations:
Chatham County Partnership for Children
Chatham Habitat for Humanity
Chatham Organizing for Racial Equity (CORE)
Chatham Literacy
El Futuro
El Vínculo Hispano / Hispanic Liaison
KidSCope

Versión en español aquí

Resources for Families

Need Child Care?

Statewide hotline helping essential workers to find child care: 1-888-600-1685

COVID-19 Parent Application for financial assistance for emergency child care for essential workers

Chatham County Government’s Resource Pages, updated frequently

Main Chatham County coronavirus website

Chatham County Government’s Community Resources webpage

Chatham County Food Assistance

Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps or SNAP)

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/food-nutrition-services-food-stamps

There have been changes in the SNAP EBT program. Those who are currently enrolled will get the maximum benefit for their household size for April and May, regardless of the amount they previously qualified for. Families who are already enrolled do not need to do anything to receive the additional amount. Families and staff who were not previously on SNAP but may now qualify should enroll ASAP!

Activities for Children and Families

The NC Office of Early Learning
Weekly remote learning activities for infants through children age eight

Songs with preschool teacher Vanessa Levin of Pre-K Pages

Discovery Place Stay at Home Science
Discovery Place is putting together a number of hands-on science activities for kids, including kitchen chemistry, a DIY catapult, and a virtual visit to a bee yard.

EdVenture Children’s Museum
South Carolina’s EdVenture.org is offering daily activities for children to try at home, including lessons dedicated to kid favorites like dinosaurs and cars. Videos walk parents and children through educational content and related crafts, like creating a dinosaur skeleton puzzle, designing a car, and more.|

Audible
For as long as school is out Audible is streaming a large collection of children’s stories for free. You can listen on a desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Stories are for kids from pre-school to teens, and also include a collection in five languages other than English.

Chatham County Library
Don’t forget your local library has digital resources!

NC Kids Digital Library

Ready Rosie
You can find suggested activity ideas at ReadyRosie’s Healthy at Home page

Here is a sample:
https://healthyathome.readyrosie.com/en/emotional-well-being/

Parents.com
Growing plants from kitchen scraps such as carrots, celery, beets and more

Health and Safety Resources for Child Care Providers

Make sure you are checking this licensing link frequently for updates:
https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New/Coronavirus-Information-for-Child-Care

Chatham County Public Health Department
Offers an FAQ for child care providers

Health Department Contacts for Chatham County NC child care providers:

• Lisa Morgan:  Lisa.morgan@chathamnc.org     919-545-8309
• Dorothy Rawleigh: Dorothy.rawleigh@chathamnc.org 919-545-8322 OR 919-214-0132

The NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center
https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC has a Supplemental Guide for Child Care. This resource provides guidance specific to child care on issues such as:

• Social distancing
• Child pick up and drop off procedures
• Cleaning and disinfecting of toys and bedding
• Safely caring for infants and toddlers; and
• Food preparation and meal service

In addition, CDC’s Guidance document provides numerous links to resources that provide even greater detail, including information regarding children’s risks concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Financial Resources for Child Care Providers

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance contained in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) specifically for child care providers. This brief may be helpful to those in the child care field who may need immediate access to working capital as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.

U.S. Small Business Administration
Apply for low interest loans to keep your business afloat due to economic hardship created as a result of the pandemic

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Information on low-to-zero interest loans available to small businesses who are financially struggling as a result of the outbreak.

NC Small Business Administration
There will be a big yellow banner that you can click on: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where they operate.

Training on Continued.com
Child Care Providers can sign up for a free training on continued.com. This link will show you a sampling of what they have to offer for teachers of one and two year old children.

Conscious Discipline: Social-emotional resources for both parents and child care providers

COVID19 Stress: How Uncertainty Affects Our Brains with Dr. Becky Bailey

75 Ways for Kids to Connect and Contribute

Responding to Difficult Questions

Five Tips for Successful Home Learning

Be on the lookout in Chatham County for our Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library ad on a Chatham Transit bus!

All children under the age of 5 are eligible to register. Participating children receive a free high quality book in the mail each month. Register your child today and “inspire a love of reading!” www.chathamkids.org/books

Duke Students Run 95 Miles to Benefit Children

4^th annual Jordan Lake 12-Hour Challenge 

Chapel Hill, N.C. — Three students from Duke University teamed up Saturday, April 14, at Jordan Lake Educational State Forest along with 64 other runners to participate in the 4^th annual Jordan Lake 12-Hour Challenge. The three students, Andrew Adelhardt, Harry Elworthy, and Sam McDermott, ran as a relay team and finished with 95.63 miles, a course record. Individuals and teams competed for highest total miles completed on the 1.35-mile loop course with views of the lake.

Jennifer McLaurin of Pittsboro was presented the award for the Chatham County resident with greatest distance covered, with 30.98 miles. Additional course records were set by the overall winners in the individual 12-hour competition: Shannon Johnstone of Cary at 61.95 miles and Mark Rostan of Valdese, NC, at 67.34 miles. In the 6-hour race, winners were Layna Mosley of Chapel Hill with 37.71 miles and Ryan Triffitt of Topsham, ME, with 36.36 miles. Seven runners in the individual 12-hour competition completed 50 miles or more. All proceeds from the event support Chatham County Partnership for Children, a private non-profit which was formed in 1994 to improve early childhood education. Full race results are available at: chathamkids.org/12-hour.

Harry Elworthy of the winning team / Credit: Dan Paige

Pittsboro resident Jennifer McLaurin who completed 31 miles / Credit: Dan Paige

Overall winner Mark Rostan who completed 67 miles / Credit: Shannon Johnstone