2019 YFE Safety RFP

The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from agencies interested in providing systems navigation and addressing trauma for 18 to 24-year-old people harmed by the criminal legal system in Seattle.

This Safety RFP is focused on people harmed by the criminal legal system in Seattle by investing in two strategies:

• Systems Navigation - Individuals and families harmed by the criminal legal system get their basic needs met. This RFP defines a system as a structure that intersects with an individual's or family's ability to fully live their lives.  
• Trauma Intervention - Individuals, families, and communities (of shared identity, culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and/or experience) address the harm caused by the criminal legal system. This RFP defines trauma as the result of an experienced event that has lasting, adverse effects on individual, familial, and community well-being.

Applicants must address both strategies. We will accept proposals submitted by one group or one agency. We will also accept collective proposals submitted by two or more groups and/or agencies. Collective proposals must identify a lead agency or group. If selected for funding, HSD will contract with the lead agency or group. All funded applicants will be required to participate in a data and learning cohort that will meet regularly.

Approximately $4,404,686 in HSD General Fund dollars is available through this RFP. HSD intends to fund a maximum of 25 proposals. Initial awards will be made for the period of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. While it is the City's intention to renew agreements resulting from this funding opportunity on an annual basis through the 2023 calendar year, future funding will be contingent upon performance and funding availability.  

HSD seeks to contract with a diverse group to help ensure the result of HSD's Safety investment is that people harmed by the criminal legal system in Seattle live their lives fully without further harm and that all youth in Seattle successfully transition into adulthood. 

If you have any questions about this Safety RFP, please contact: Leslea Bowling at leslea.bowling@seattle.gov or (206) 684-0520. 

Help Sessions

HSD is partnering with Equitable Development, LLC to provide optional help sessions intended for grassroots, community-based organizations to receive additional support as they develop their proposals.  

Equitable Development, LLC will assist by clarifying application and budget questions, thinking through proposal development ideas together, and reviewing proposal drafts. Equitable Development, LLC will not write proposals for applicants. Additional technical assistance beyond these areas will not be provided.

Applicant help sessions will be scheduled by appointment on a first come, first served basis between May 20, 2019 and June 7, 2019. Help sessions can be provided via email, by phone, or in-person. In-person locations are ADA accessible.  

Applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule help session appointments as early as possible. A high volume of requests close to the application deadline will result in limited availability. Should availability become limited, priority will be given to organizations led by the focus populations. To schedule your help session appointment, contact Equitable Development, LLC at wtali@eqsdev.com using the subject line: "Requesting Help Session for Safety RFP."