Updated March 23: Please note that the addendum providing written answers to questions posed in the webinar, information session, and/or via email is available here.
The request for proposals to fund trauma-informed and restorative practices (TIRP) in the school environment is now available here. Best Starts for Kids’ trauma-informed and restorative practices work is grounded in the belief that all children and young people can thrive in environments where communities’ cultures are respected and nurtured. This funding opportunity will support innovative approaches to implement trauma-informed and restorative practices in school environments. To achieve this, schools must actively confront racism and other structures of systemic oppression that perpetuate generational trauma, which in many cases is the source of negative self-image and trauma for children, young people, and families.
Click here for links to the RFP and other attachments.
Core principles
Best Starts’ Trauma-Informed and Restorative Practices in the School Environment strategy incorporates and expands on the Best Starts for Kids core principles. Applicants are encouraged to consider how these principles can be incorporated into their strategies, and to discuss them in their proposals. Please see the full RFP for more details on these principles:
- Lead with racial justice
- Seek collaboration and empowerment
- Focus on the whole child
- Develop skills to promote healing
- Heal relationships
Commitment to equity
Our goal is that funded projects and partnerships will result in reduced use of punitive and exclusionary discipline practices, and in reduced disproportionality in student outcomes, by providing all children with safe, nurturing, environments that support their social, emotional and academic development.
In advancing our commitment to equity in education, we must focus on the whole child and their overall well-being by connecting to the cultures and richness of diverse communities and by building capacities among schools, staff, families and community partners. TIRP supports community-centered solutions to create the processes and conditions for transformative systemic change. This will further racial justice and strengthen networks that are grounded in the beliefs and values of the communities they represent
Eligibility
This announcement is open to public schools and school districts, non-profit organizations, grassroots and community based organizations, faith-based organizations, parent-led groups, early learning providers and post-secondary institutions serving communities in King County. Schools and districts are encouraged to partner with small, grassroots and community organizations with credible messengers who share the racial backgrounds, cultural identity, geography and/or experiences with children/young people being served. Partnerships and collaborations are strongly encouraged, and should be submitted with the proposal and identified in budget documents. Schools are also encouraged to communicate with their districts when applying for Best Starts funding.
Available funding
Applicants may propose up to $300,000 per year in their budgets. Awards will support programming for up to 3 years, beginning September 1, 2018. A total of $6.5 million per year is available for this strategy, and we anticipate funding 20 to 30 proposals.
Timeline
| RFP Issued | February 9, 2018 |
| Information Sessions | February 26, March 6, March 8, March 13, March 15 |
| Final Day to Ask Questions | March 30, 2018 |
| RFP Addenda Issued (if necessary) @ https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/partnerships/RFP.aspx | April 2, 2018 |
| Applications Due | April 9, 2018 no later than 2:00 p.m. |
| Responses Reviewed and Rated | April 16, 2018- May 23, 2018 |
| Notice of Selected and Non-Selected Proposals | June 1, 2018 |
| Selected Proposals List Published | June 13, 2018 |
| Contracts Start Date | September 1, 2018 |
Have more questions? Join us for information sessions
The addendum with answers to questions submitted is available here.
| Date | Time | Location | |
| February 26, 2018 | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | Skyway Skyway Library |
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| March 6, 2018 | 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm | Federal Way Federal Way 320th Library |
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| March 8, 2018 | 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm | Webinar Add this link to your calendar, or click here to join the meeting. Phone in option: 206-263-8114, Conference ID: 1380928 |
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| March 13, 2018 | 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm | Kenmore Kenmore Library |
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| March 14, 2018 | 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm | North Bend North Bend Library |
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Need help? Get free assistance applying
Help preparing your application is available at no cost to support Best Starts for Kids applicants. Providers offer a wide range of skills, areas of expertise, and language abilities.
See the list of providers and contact information for technical assistance here.
Where can I find data to support my application?
Best Starts values the use of multiple sources of data and information. While the use of data resources is not required, we have compiled some King County data resources to assure equal access to information. Indicators identified for Best Starts can be found here: www.kingcounty.gov/bskindicators. Please visit the “Data Resources” page on the Communities Count website.