2021 Supportive Reentry RFP

The Safe and Thriving Communities (STC) Division of the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from community-based organizations to support currently and formerly incarcerated individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and support; connect or reconnect with cultural roots and supportive communities; and to obtain long term, living wage employment in order to transition successfully from incarceration and into the community.

STC is specifically seeking community-based organizations that have experience:

• actively engaging and working with incarcerated and/or formerly incarcerated individuals from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities with a specific focus on Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Pacific Islander communities;
• developing and providing supportive services for BIPOC individuals who are currently incarcerated;
• developing and providing supportive services for formerly incarcerated BIPOC who are reentering communities;
• rerooting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals;
• using an anti-racist approach that actively works to undo systemic racism; and
• preparing incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people to get and keep good paying jobs.

For this RFP, the term "reentry" is used to describe assisting people returning from incarceration to "reenter" systems and institutions that may lead to economic and social progress. "Rerooting" refers to the process of connecting people back to their cultural roots and communities. Since much of incarceration is about isolating people, a process of rerooting is necessary to ground people despite the systemic barriers that still exist. For all individuals returning from incarceration, being part of strong and connected communities provides accountability and supports their ability to thrive.

This RFP is investing $1,383,000 in City of Seattle General Fund for culturally appropriate reentry and rerooting programming. Initial funding will be for the period of December 15, 2021-December 31, 2022.

• Applicants can request up to $250,000 and may request less.
• Organizations must serve individuals who are currently or formerly incarcerated. Formerly incarcerated individuals must live, work, or attend school in the City of Seattle. Currently incarcerated individuals must seek to live, work, or attend school in the City of Seattle upon release.
• Contract renewal depends on performance and funding availability.

An Information Session will be held Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. via Cisco WebEx online virtual meeting technology. The Last Day to Submit Questions will be Monday, November 1, 2021 by 5:00 p.m. HSD will not provide individual notice of changes; and applicants are responsible for regularly checking this web page for answers to questions, process updates, clarifications, or amendments. HSD will not pay for any costs organizations may incur while they are preparing their application, providing information requested by HSD, or participating in the selection process.

This RFP is competitive and open to all agencies that meet the standard HSD Agency Minimum Eligibility Requirements and any additional requirements outlined in Guidelines Section III. Program Requirements. Completed application packets are due by 12:00 p.m., Noon on Friday, November 5, 2021. Applications may be submitted electronically via:

• HSD's Online Submission System at: http://web6.seattle.gov/hsd/rfi/index.aspx
• or email at HSD_RFP_RFQ_Email_Submissions@seattle.gov. Email attachments are limited to 30 MB. The subject heading must be titled: 2021 Supportive Reentry RFP.

Any risks associated with submitting a proposal by email are borne by the applicant. Applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt of their application. No faxed or mailed applications will be accepted. 

Please contact Natalie Thomson, Funding Process Coordinator, via email with any questions about this RFP or to request an accommodation for the information session: natalie.thomson@seattle.gov