Alliance CaRES Community Connectors RFQ

The University of Washington has issued an open and ongoing Request for Qualifications (RFQ 22-0042) seeking contractors to provide caregiver retention and support services as well as foster parent training under the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence partnership. The contract term is initially two years, with an option for a two-year extension, and involves a fixed hourly rate of $25.50 for up to 20 hours per month. Contractors will serve as Community Connectors in Washington State, engaging kinship and foster families through organizing culturally relevant community groups, facilitating support activities, linking caregivers to resources and Alliance CaRES training, and collaborating with local community partners. Regular communication with the CaRES Community Engagement Coordinator and participation in bi-monthly virtual team meetings are required components of the engagement. Applicants must demonstrate relevant experience working within child dependency systems and foster care communities and have strong community outreach and interpersonal skills. If the applicant is a licensed caregiver, submission of a valid Washington State foster care license in good standing is mandatory. Proposal submissions must include a completed RFQ cover sheet, three references (with at least two from foster care-related contacts), and the foster care license if applicable. The solicitation does not guarantee work or a contract award but seeks to establish a pool of qualified contractors who can support the objectives of caregiver retention and foster parent support within the state. Communications and proposal submissions are conducted via email, with Dawn Lake, Senior Contracts Manager at the University of Washington, serving as the primary contact. No formal evaluation criteria or payment processing details are specified in the RFQ, and the program emphasizes community-based, experience-driven support services rather than traditional goods or delivery contracts.