Wilkes Community Partnership for Children, Opens Call for Proposals

The Wilkes Community Partnership for Children, the local Smart Start partnership for Wilkes County, announces a call for applications for Smart Start funding for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2028. The proposals are reevaluated annually based on funding. The Wilkes Community Partnership for Children is soliciting proposals to establish a contract through competitive negotiations.

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to acquire the services of a qualified contractor whose proposal impacts on children from birth through age five. By legislative mandate, programs directed at children older than five cannot be considered. Funds may not be used for goods or activities that may be funded by other sources. Proposals should demonstrate innovative new activity or expansion of an activity in ways not available without Smart Start funding. Funds should be used for activities, experiences, or equipment that have a beneficial impact on children. All proposed programs or projects must meet the evidence based/informed requirements set by the North Carolina legislature in regard to state funding.

Smart Start was designed to ensure that children arrive at school healthy and ready to succeed. Therefore, emphasis is on developing or improving the quality, affordability, and availability of childcare, along with child health and family support initiatives that strengthen a child’s development and the family’s ability to nurture their child. All grant applications therefore should support the vision and mission of the Wilkes Community Partnership for Children.

The vision and mission of the Wilkes Community Partnership for Children

Vision: We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to develop to his or her fullest potential in a community that supports, nurtures, and empowers children and families.

Mission: To build a strong foundation for children’s learning and development by strengthening families, the early childhood system, and the wider community.

We invite proposals that support the vision and mission of the Partnership for Children to expand these impact focus areas:

1) Early Childhood Quality

2) Early Childhood Workforce Support and Development

3) Family Support

Click here to access application

Smart Solutions catalog (https://smartsolutionscatalog.com/)

Click here to access Smart Start blank budget narrative

Click here to access full activity score sheet

To learn more about the guidelines please email Michelle H. Shepherd, Executive Director at michelle@wilkeschildren.org The deadline for submitting bids for Smart Start funding is February 10, 2025 by 4:30 PM. Bids should be submitted to the Wilkes Community Partnership for Children, by mail or hand delivery to 1915 West Park Drive, Suite 3, North Wilkesboro, NC or by email to: michelle@wilkeschildren.org