REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR
EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Amended 3-23-15
The Norwalk Housing Authority (NHA) was awarded the Head Start grant for the Norwalk region (region1) by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start on December 23, 2013 and assumed operations on February 1, 2014. The centers are located in the highest-need neighborhood, Norwalk ZIP Code 06854, where nearly every income-eligible child resides. The Head Start Program is located at two sites, 11 Ingalls Avenue (Nathaniel Ely School) and 147 Flax Hill Road (Benjamin Franklin School). The Program provides 165 Federal Head Start slots and 15 State Head Start. In addition NHA received a City of Norwalk School Readiness grant for 156 Pre-School slots as well as 57 toddler slots funded through the Department of Social Services.
The Norwalk Housing Authority Head Start/School Readiness program is requesting proposals that are focused on increasing the knowledge and education of early childhood teachers and practitioners (children 15 months – five) in language and literacy development.
Research demonstrates a direct correlation between teacher professional development levels and the effectiveness of Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs. This request for proposals is targeting programs specifically focused on and measuring improved knowledge of education in the area of language and literacy development through professional development of ECE teachers and/or practitioners.
Proposal Selection Criteria
Norwalk Housing Authority seeks well thought out, innovative and realistic proposals with promising ideas and the potential for impact. We have described the characteristics and qualities of model proposals below.
1. The proposal benefits early childhood educators who provide services to the Norwalk Housing Authority Head Start, School Readiness and Child Development programs
2. Professional development trainings/workshops to be provided on-site with ECE teachers/practitioners.
3. The proposal provides professional development focused on language acquisition and emergent literacy skills for Early Childhood Education teachers and/or practitioners and incorporates the following characteristics:
o An established, appropriate curriculum
o A mentoring component
4. The program strategies demonstrate a thorough understanding of the specific needs of the target population
5. The proposal reflects an applied understanding of the age appropriate language acquisition skills for early childhood educators with activities that include the following characteristics and an evaluation plan that measures the participants’ changes in understanding, skill level and teaching practice that promote language and literacy development Preferably, a validated field-accepted, standardized tool would be used to measure the changes.
o Addresses the nature and frequency of teacher-to-child communication
o Includes vocabulary building techniques for teachers and/or practitioners to use when communicating with children.
o Utilizes a professional development curriculum accepted in the field as either an evidenced –based or promising practice and which includes a strong language acquisition focus or component
o Reflects and emphasize play as an age-appropriate teaching methodology.
6. Collaborative relationships add value to the proposal. The proposal names these relationships, listing the partner(s), the nature of the relationship and identifying how the relationship adds value to the proposed project. Letters of support are included with the proposal that substantiate the described relationships.
7. The activities include a well-defined plan to measure outcomes that are relevant to the needs being addressed.
8. The implementation timeline is realistic; the activities can be accomplished. The timeline includes timeframe for all major activities.
9. There is evidence of sustainability that is appropriate to the proposals goal; Early Childhood Teacher professional development in Language Development and Literacy. Evidence of sustainability might include any of the following conditions:
o The proposal addressing sustainability and sustainability planning
o There is an identifiable leave-behind at the end of the funding term
o The proposal includes a realistic concept for program replication and or taking the project to scale
o There are other funding sources with strong interest in the concept when it reaches a future stage.
10. The proposed budget is a well thought out; balanced budget that describes all reasonable expenses that could be anticipated for the activities proposed within the context of the budget narrative and reflects an understanding from the field of realistic costs.
PROPOSALS ARE DUE: May 1, 2015 by 4:00pm.
3 sealed hard copies REQUIRED
Proposals will be opened on May 1, 2015 after 4:00pm
Addressed to: Patricia Marsden-Kish, Director of Educational Programs
Norwalk Housing Authority
24 ½ Monroe Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
Each proposal shall contain the following information:
1. Your organizations history and experience, especially in Connecticut, including resumes of the organizations key personnel who will be assigned to this project.
2. A listing of previous experience in providing professional development in Language Development and Literacy for Early Childhood teachers/practitioners.
3. A listing of fee schedule for services and hourly rates of the person or persons that will be assigned to this project.
4. Any other information you deem relevant
Selection Criteria
Evaluation of responses to this RFQ will be based on the information provided in the submitted package, and if applicable, interviews. NHA reserves the right to request additional information or documentation from the organization regarding its submitted documents, personnel, financial terms, or other items in order to complete the selection process. Staff will evaluate all responses to the RFQ that are received on or before the stated deadline. Based on the initial evaluation, the staff may:
1. Make a recommendation to NHA’s Commissioners.
2. (a) Request additional information from the proposer whose responses appear to have the greatest likelihood of success; and/or (b) invite one or more proposer whose responses appear to have the greatest likelihood of success to attend a meeting to discuss their proposal.
Additional Requirements
Prior to signing a contract with the Norwalk Housing Authority, the Consultants shall furnish evidence of the following forms of insurance which must be maintained through completion of work.
· Professional Liability – Minimum Coverage $500,000.00
· Worker’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability Minimum coverages $100,000.00 each employee, $500,000.00 policy limit.
· The consultant must provide a copy of each applicable policy to the Authority. Binders are not acceptable. Insurance coverage must be maintained until completion of the project. All insurance ‘s must include the following endorsements:
AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NORWALK
A.T.I.M.A.
South Norwalk, CT. 06854
______
Curtis O Law, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Norwalk Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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