In recent years, the Rhode Island Continuum of Care has been awarded and implemented Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) funding. Supporting a Youth Action Board (YAB) is a core requirement of this funding. YAB members are young people with lived experience of housing instability and/or homelessness. The YAB is the Committee making recommendations directly to the RICoC for YHDP program implementation. RIHousing, in its role as the Collaborative Applicant for the RICoC, has engaged multiple contractors to provide youth development support and technical assistance to the Youth Action Board. The current contract for this service ends April 30, 2025. Below are prompted questions that RIHousing seeks specific feedback on; however, feedback on topics or ideas not specifically requested is welcome. 1. Is it beneficial for RIHousing to contract with a contractor to provide such support and technical assistance to the YAB? • If yes, what are some specific examples of supports and technical assistance that could be impactful for the RICoC to offer the YAB? • If no, please explain why you do not think it would be beneficial. 2. If you were eligible to submit a proposal under the initial RFP, but intentionally chose not to apply, could you share why? 3. If you were eligible to submit a proposal under the initial RFP and considered applying, could you share any feedback about the application process? 4. If an RFP with this same general use is released again, and you would be an eligible applicant, would you apply? Why or why not? 5. Did the RFP clearly explain the intention of the YAB Facilitator opportunity and what types of activities would be eligible for funding? • If not, in what areas would additional clarification be useful?
