We’re excited to announce that the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from organizations interested in providing services for low-income families to learn, heal, connect to each other and to the community, and celebrate unique aspects of their culture in order to build strength and resilience.
The 2023 Family Support Request for Proposals (RFP) has been informed by over 20 stakeholder interviews, listening circles with families, data, and a literature review of best practices.
Themes that emerged included:
- There is a need for services that create opportunities for caregivers and children to connect with each other and their larger community.
- The economic, mental, and physical health impacts of the pandemic continue. The toll the pandemic has taken needs to be acknowledged, with activities provided that promote healing and cultural connection. Communities need opportunities for healing from the impacts of COVID-19, isolation, and racism they have experienced.
- Services should include multi-generational programming that helps to build relationships between children/young people and elders, which benefits both groups.
- Youth and families want programming that prioritizes culture and keeps culture at the core of services.
- “By us and for us” should be the basis of all services, as well as a strength-based approach to programming that honors the inherent skills and good work that families are doing.
For children in particular, connection to cultural traditions, communities, and practices helps them thrive. Specifically, it builds resilience, serves to counteract the racism and discrimination many children experience outside their families, and improves educational and life outcomes.
“Our department is committed to supporting families in Seattle and providing the resources they need to thrive,” said Acting Director Tanya Kim. “Through this Request for Proposals, we hope to partner with organizations that share our commitment and can help strengthen Seattle’s support system for families and children in culturally responsive ways. Our vision is to create a city where every family has access to the resources and support they need to succeed.”
Our goal is to invest in community-based organizations that can build opportunities for connection and family support while celebrating unique aspects of culture. Services must take place in the city of Seattle. For the purposes of this RFP, family is defined as one or more adult caregivers expecting a child or with children/youth/young adults up to the age of 24. Kinship families are included in this definition.
Approximately $3,827,366 in City of Seattle General Funds is available through this RFP. Organizations may apply for up to $300,000. Initial awards will be made for the contract period of January 1, to December 31, 2024. While the City intends to renew agreements resulting from this funding opportunity annually through the 2027 program year, future funding will be contingent upon performance and funding availability.
“I believe that investing in family support services is critical to building strong communities,” said Youth and Family Empowerment Division Director Dr. Shukri Olow. “By supporting families and helping them connect to their culture and community, we can create a more equitable and resilient city. I encourage all eligible organizations to apply and join us in this important work.”
This is an open and competitive process and technical assistance is available. For more information, and all RFP materials, please visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities web page: https://www.seattle.gov/human-services/for-providers/funding-opportunities. Completed applications are due by Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 12:00 pm PDT.
If you have any questions or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ann-Margaret Webb, Funding Process Coordinator, at ann-margaret.webb@seattle.gov