The Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Services RFP is now open! Applications are due October 3, 2018 by 11:59pm.
Click here to view the request for proposals and apply. This link will take you a ZoomGrants page. Create a log-in to view the RFP and apply.
This RFP for Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Services is part of Best Starts for Kids’ prenatal to five Community-Based Parenting and Peer Supports strategy. Through this RFP, Best Starts aim to promote positive and healthy outcomes for young children, and to support parents and family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers.
Previous Community-Based Parenting and Peer Supports funding opportunities include:
We are seeking proposals from organizations that have expertise in providing maternal child health and perinatal peer support direct services. The focus of the programming should be on providing peer breastfeeding support services and a higher level of support when needed to: African American, Native American, Pacific Islander, and geographically rural, low-income communities and families. Click here for breastfeeding related demographic information.
Why Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Services?
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to protect child and maternal health. Best Starts for Kids recognizes that traditional methods of breastfeeding support have been inaccessible to many of King County’s communities, expanding disparate rates in breastfeeding duration. Best Starts aims to assure that all families can receive optimal support during the challenging transition to life with a new infant.
This RFP will sponsor one organization that has the capacity to provide comprehensive community-based, culturally versatile, peer-led breastfeeding education and support before and/or after birth through services such as community classes, peer breastfeeding counselors, or workshops to all King County families. This funding strategy aims to:
- Provide culturally-relevant, peer-to-peer breastfeeding support
- Support parents to initiate and sustain breastfeeding through an infant’s first year of life
- Provide free IBCLC lactation consultant services to marginalized families
- Have the flexibility to offer education and support in a variety of settings such as: community health centers and clinics, home visits, and pregnancy and birth centers
- Provide home visits for breastfeeding support when necessary
Commitment to Equity
In alignment with the BSK Equity and Social Justice Framework and values, this investment will prioritize:
- Communities of color, low-income communities, and limited English-speaking communities
- Populations and communities experiencing significant service gaps
- Organizations that are connected to, and embedded in, the community served
Eligibility
This announcement is open to not-for-profit organizations, community-based organizations, tribes and tribal organizations, schools and school districts, and public or governmental agencies serving communities in King County. Small non-profits and community-based organizations are encouraged to submit proposals.
Available Funding
The organization awarded through this RFP will be funded as follows:
**Based on contractor performance and continued funding availability.
Timeline
The timeline details the tentative schedule of the entire process, from RFP release to project implementation. Dates listed here are subject to change.
| RFP released | August 30, 2018 |
| Information Session Webinar | September 6, 2018, 1:00-2:30pm |
| In-Person Information Session | September 12, 2018, 3:30-5:00pm |
| Final day to ask questions from Technical Assistance providers | September 28, 2018 |
| RFP Responses Due | October 3, 2018 |
| Responses reviewed and rated | Week of October 22, 2018 |
| Interviews with applicants (if necessary) | Week of October 29, 2018 |
| Notice to selected and non-selected organizations | Week of November 12, 2018 |
| List of selected organizations published | Week of November 19, 2018 |
| Project implementation | December 2018 |
Information sessions
These information sessions will cover two RFPs: Prenatal Support Services and Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Services.
Webinar information session
Thursday, September 6, 2018 from 1:00-2:30pm
Mark your calendar and add this link to your reminder, or join online here.
Or call-in: 206-263-8114, conference ID: 1168927
In-person information session
Wednesday September 12th, 2018
Prenatal Support Services: 3:30-4:15pm
Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Support Services: 4:15-5:00pm
Beacon Hill Library
2821 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144
206-684-4711
Need help? Get free technical assistance
Technical assistance 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?
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. Find indicators identified for Best Starts and visit the “Data Resources” page on the Communities Count website.