RFP Summary
The Denver Preschool Program (DPP) solicits proposals for Community Outreach Services from qualified firms with expertise working with mission-driven organizations and experience with community engagement, relationship-building, multicultural outreach, event management and project management.
Denver Preschool Program’s vision is that every Denver child has equitable access to a strong foundation to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. Our mission is to transform the future of young children and their families by strengthening and funding the early childhood experience. We champion, fund, and increase access to quality preschool across our community. To accomplish this, the awarded contractor will assist DPP in executing community engagement and outreach strategies centered on equity and encompassing the core values and strategies outlined below.
As a learning organization, DPP strives to be nimble and innovative in improving its programs. DPP is informed by its own data, the latest early learning research, policy changes, input from partner organizations, and feedback from participating preschools, families, and students themselves. DPP is interested in learning about the impact of its work in the community. As such, the awarded contractor will continuously utilize metrics and data to improve and inform marketing strategies.
Purpose
This RFP provides prospective contractors with sufficient information to prepare and submit proposals for consideration to satisfy the need for expert assistance as outlined in this RFP.
All submissions will be treated equally and evaluated and scored accordingly.
Background
The Denver Preschool Program, initially approved by voters in November 2006 and then renewed and expanded by voters in November 2014, provides Denver residents of 4-year-old children with a tuition credit for preschool and provides quality improvement supports participating preschool providers. Approximately 264 licensed preschool providers host nearly 750 DPP classrooms in the City and County of Denver and adjacent cities. Denver Preschool Program participants receive tuition credits on a sliding scale based on family income, household size, length of the day attending preschool, and the chosen provider's quality rating. The program is open and voluntary for all Denver 4-year-olds in their last year of preschool before kindergarten and includes all the licensed preschool providers who contract with DPP and agree to participate in a quality improvement system. The Denver Preschool Program has provided over $150 million in tuition credits to families and $18.5 million in quality improvement funds to providers, has enrolled nearly 75,000 children, and currently serves nearly 5,000 children annually.
The program is administered by the Denver Preschool Program, Inc., an independent 501(c)3 created for the sole purpose of managing the Denver’s dedicated preschool tax. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Mayor of Denver and comprised of citizens with experience managing businesses, non-profits and public programs.
The selected community outreach and engagement partner will play a pivotal role in supporting DPP's mission by fostering meaningful connections with families, communities, and early childhood education providers. The objective is to raise awareness about the importance of preschool education, facilitate enrollment, and ensure that families are well-informed about the available resources and programs and the benefits of early childhood education.
The selected community outreach and engagement partner will be responsible for crafting and executing inclusive outreach strategies to engage with diverse communities across Denver. This involves fostering collaboration with local organizations, schools, and community leaders to reinforce connections and advocate for the advantages of early childhood education. Additionally, the partner will conduct informational sessions and workshops to educate parents and caregivers about the enrollment process, program availability, and the significance of high-quality preschool education. To enhance impact, the successful partner will actively utilize various communication channels, including printed materials, social media, community events, and traditional outreach methods, to disseminate information effectively. Furthermore, the partner will establish a robust feedback mechanism to continually assess and refine outreach strategies, ensuring alignment with community needs and gathering valuable insights for ongoing improvement.
