Please note: This is a Sole Source Notification. Afton's continued involvement in the transition work is critical to ensure the State is able to launch the new agency, the Department of Early Childhood, in a manner that builds off of existing work to date and centers the voice of stakeholders in redesign efforts. The work identified in this sole source contract builds upon the previous phases of Afton's work completed during the Preschool Development Grant Birth-Five (PDG B-5) and the Governor's Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Funding and resultant 2021 report. The particular services provided by Afton in this contract are essential to execute against the timeline in Senate Bill 1 for the new Department of Early Childhood to integrate, redesign, and be ready to administer early childhood programs in the state. Afton’s services will guide thoughtful strategic planning and support stakeholder engagement that will be essential to decision making as the new agency begins its work. In order to ensure effective delivery of quality services to Illinois' children and families, strategic design and implementation of a future coordinated funding and governance system is critical. This work includes creating a robust phased-in implementation plan, supporting the transition advisory committee in gather feedback (and development of instruments for collecting that data) from those for whom the new agency is intended, research and analysis of funding streams across programs and impacted agencies, and ensuring cross-agency planning and collaboration efforts.