Now accepting applications: Early Support for Infants and Toddlers RFQ Due Sept 17

Best Starts for Kids and King County’s Developmental Disabilities & Early Childhood Supports Division are seeking new, qualified organizations to provide Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) services as a:

• Full-Service Provider;
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing Provider; or
• Infant Mental Health Provider.

King County’s contracted ESIT Providers access funding monthly on a per-child-served basis from several sources; including, the County (combining federal/state/local funds), school districts, and public/private insurance. Start-up supports may be available to address high priority service needs.

Applications are due Tuesday, September 17, 2019 by 11:59pm PST.

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.

Note: This RFQ will be re-opened in early 2020.

The Early Support for Infants and Toddlers RFQ is part of the Best Starts for Kids Developmental Promotion strategy. The RFQ seeks to support the relationship between caregiver and child. ESIT Providers work with families to identify strategies that promote their child’s development throughout the day during typical routines—at home, in child care, and in their communities.

Eligibility

This ESIT RFQ is for:

• Organizations that are not currently contracted to provide ESIT services in King County;
• Current ESIT contractors that would like to become Deaf/Hard of Hearing Providers; or
• Current ESIT contractors that would like to become Infant Mental Health Providers outside of their current catchment area.

Commitment to Equity

Our goal is to ensure that all people, regardless of who they are and where they live, have the opportunity to thrive, with full and equal access to opportunities, power, and resources. For all Best Starts for Kids funded programs, we seek to support organizations that are reflective of and embedded in the communities they serve, and recognize and address the disparities and disproportionality that exist in our communities.

ESIT RQF Priorities

Based on analysis of ESIT data and feedback from stakeholders, this RFQ identifies four “Priority Areas”:

• increase the number of eligible children served
• ensure that services are equitable, both geographically and by race/ethnicity
• strengthen social-emotional well-being for children and their families.

Available Funding

ESIT providers can receive funding from multiple sources. For King County funding, ESIT Providers participate in the unified billing process which includes federal funding (Part C), state funding (Child Development Services), and local funding (Best Starts-ESIT). 

ESIT Program Funding

Payment tables, the annual billing schedule, and other fiscal documents can be found on the King County DDECSD Contract Requirements webpage, under Birth-to-Three services. Additional information about billing and the method of payment is located on the DDECSD ESIT Contract Template, Exhibit III. Section VIII. Compensation and Method of Payment, and Section IX. Reporting Requirements.

Families are expected to contribute financially toward their child’s support. As such, ESIT Providers, in addition to receiving public dollars, are funded privately. Families can meet this Family Cost Participation requirement by utilizing their private health insurance, which includes Apple Health for Kids and Medicaid. Information regarding private payment and those services that require private contribution can be found in Early Support for Infants and Toddlers’ System of Payments and Fees Policy. Most families do not pay out of pocket fees.

Timeline

RFQ Release Date	August 9, 2019
Online Information Session	August 15, 2019 at 3 pm
In-Person Information Session	August 21, 2019 at 3 pm
Deadline to request Technical Assistance from TA Providers	September 5, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Due date for applications	September 17, 2019 at 11:59 pm
Responses Rated and Reviewed	September 24, 2019 – September 27, 2019
Interviews with Applicants as needed	October 10, 2019 – October 11, 2019
Notification of Selected and Non-Selected RFQs	October 31, 2019
Provider Team Engagement and Contract Discussions	November 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019
Potential contract start date	January 1, 2020

Information sessions

This online session will be recorded and saved in the RFA Library. 

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.

• Investing Early: prenatal to 5 years
• Request for Proposals