Out of School Time Programming for Youth

RFP#
CYF 26-02
Request for Proposals
For Professional Services
Bid under Title 29 Chapter 69 Section 6981
SERVICE COMPONENTS IN THIS RFP
OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH
INFORMATIONAL BIDDERS CONFERENCE: NONE
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, May 29, 2026, by 2:00 pm Eastern Time
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The RFP schedule is as follows:
QUESTIONS:
Submit questions to H. Ryan Bolles, DSCYF Procurement Administrator, at
herbert.bolles@Delaware.gov Questions received close to the deadline may not receive a
response. The State of Delaware reserves the right to determine if there is enough time to answer
submitted questions.
BIDDERS CONFERENCE:
There is no bidders' conference scheduled for this RFP.
PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME:
Proposals must be received by email by 05/29/2026 by 2:00 PM Eastern Time
PROPOSAL DELIVERY:
All proposals must be submitted by email as described below. Please submit the minimum
number of email attachments as possible to stay within state attachments(s) size limitations. A
single proposal attachment is preferred, but not mandatory.
Bidders must submit proposals to DSCYF_Bids_Submission@delaware.gov Do not submit a link
to a "dropbox" or any type of cloud storage as it will not be accepted. NOTE: the State of Delaware
is not responsible for undelivered or delayed emails for any reason. Submitted email must have
a date and time stamp when received by the State of Delaware in compliance with the stated
due date and time. You are advised NOT to wait until the last minute to submit your
proposal.
Emailed proposals arriving with a State of Delaware system date and time stamp after 2:00 pm
Eastern Time on the stated due date will not be accepted. DSCYF is not responsible for undelivered
or delayed emails for any reason. If you experience any problem, please reach out to Ryan Bolles
at herbert.bolles@delaware.gov as soon as possible.
The contents of any proposal shall not be disclosed by the State of Delaware to competing entities
during the negotiation process.
AWARDS AND NOTIFICATION:
The Department will work diligently to complete the proposal review and selection process in an
expeditious fashion. While DSCYF reserves the right to contact bidders for additional information
proposals are expected to be able to stand alone based upon the written information submitted.
Award decisions are expected to be made and announced as soon as possible. Initial notification
to all bidders will be sent by email.
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Background
The State of Delaware Department of Services for Children Youth & Their Families' Division of
Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) provides a range of statewide voluntary
behavioral health (including mental health and substance use) treatment and prevention and early
intervention services for children and families. Prevention and early intervention programs nurture
children, families and communities, increase child safety, support social and academic success,
and promote early identification of children's social, emotional and behavioral health needs. In
addition to prevention and early intervention services DPBHS also provides a continuum of
behavioral health treatment interventions for eligible children and youth through age 17.
Our vision: all children and families to be strong, resilient, and live in supportive communities
Our mission: to develop and support a family-driven, youth guided, trauma informed prevention
and behavioral health system of care
Per Section 180 of the FY21 Budget Bill (SB240), DPBHS is the recipient of $1,725,000 for the
purpose of providing afterschool and summer programming with a focus on youth violence and
suicide prevention. An important element of this prevention effort includes afterschool and
summer programming. This initiative is an outgrowth of the initial recommendations by the Center
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the 2012 Adolescent Suicides in Kent County which
pointed to a lack of after-school activities for youth in Kent and Sussex Counties.
The CDC defines Out of School Time (OST) as a supervised program that young people regularly
attend when school is not in session. This can include before- and after- school programs on a
school campus or at facilities such as academic programs, specialty programs, and multipurpose
programs that provide an array of activities. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-schools/out-of-school-
time/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/ost.htm
Research has established that youth face increased risks during out-of-school hours, particularly
between 3pm-7pm. This timeframe is associated with higher rates of youth crime, youth becoming
victims of crime, and other high risk behaviors including use of alcohol and other drugs and high-
risk sexual activity. Quality OST programs promote adoption by youth of positive and healthy
choices by increasing youths' ability to think critically and through safe, stable and nurturing
relationships with caring adults.
The 2023 Delaware Youth Behavior Risk Survey (YRBS) found 7.2% of 11th graders reported
misuse of prescription drugs. 17.5% of high school seniors reported trying cigarettes and 44.6%
reported trying a vaping product. 23% of high school seniors report using alcohol in their lifetime
with 22.9% reporting alcohol use in the past 30 days. 18.4% of high school seniors reported using
marijuana over 100 times in their lifetime. https://cdhs.udel.edu/seow/school-surveys/youth-risk-
behavior-survey-yrbs/
According to the CDC, studies conducted with adolescents show an association between substance
use and sexual risk behaviors (i.e. having sex, having multiple sex partners, not using a condom,
and pregnancy before age 15 years). Researchers have found that as substance use frequency
increases, the likelihood of sex and the number of sexual partners also increase. These behaviors
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are highest among students who use marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs (i.e. opioids,
stimulants), and other illicit drugs. The CDC reports 32% of high school students reported having
ever had sexual intercourse. Of those, 48% did not use a condom the last time they had sex. 9%
reported being physically forced to have sexual intercourse against their will.
https://www.cdc.gov/youth-behavior/risk-behaviors/sexual-risk-behaviors.html
According to the Afterschool Alliance, the incidence of violent crimes committed by youth peaks
in the hours immediately following the end of the school day (2pm-6pm)
https://www.afterschoolalliance.org . The CDC reports homicide is the third leading cause of death
for young people ages 10-24 and is the leading cause of death for non-Hispanic Black or African
American youth. https://www.cdc.gov/youth-violence/about/index.html
In addition, after school time has been identified as a major risk period for youth self-harming
behaviors. About 25% of 11th graders reported feeling sad or hopeless every day for at least 2
weeks. About 26% of female high school seniors and 13% of male high school seniors said they
seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months. Approximately 12% of high school seniors
reported having a suicide plan with 4.3% reporting 2-3 attempts in the past 12 months. Over 16%
of high school seniors reported being bullied electronically and 20% reported being bullied at
school. Nearly 25% of youth reported seeing someone physically attacked, stabbed or shot in their
neighborhood. 4.6% of high school seniors had been threatened with a knife or gun and 5.8%
reported missing school at least once due to feeling unsafe at school or on the way to school.
https://cdhs.udel.edu/seow/school-surveys/youth-risk-behavior-survey-yrbs/
Quality OST programs can serve as powerful youth violence, substance misuse, teen pregnancy,
anti-bullying, and dropout prevention strategies. Routine participation in OST programs is
associated with increased academic achievement, school attendance, self-esteem, and social skills
as well as improved work habits and student behavior. OST programs may encompass a wide
range of focus areas including academic enrichment and support, mentoring, arts, sports and
recreation, civic engagement and service learning, workforce development, and college
preparation and career exploration.
The goals of OST programs are to:
* Provide safety and supervision
* Improve competency in areas such as self-regulation, social awareness, interpersonal skills
such as conflict resolution, self-awareness and responsible decision-making
* Increase youth resilience and build protective factors
* Support academic achievement
* Reduce substance misuse
* Promote physical activity and nutrition
This RFP Request
DPBHS is seeking proposals statewide for after-school and summer programming, referred to as
Out of School Time (OST). DPBHS encourages community centers, faith-based organizations,
civic organizations, libraries, schools and/or school districts and other community-based
organizations to respond to this proposal.
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Resulting Contract Term
The resulting contractual relationship from this RFP is expected to be five (5) years. However,
contacts will be written one year at a time with renewals dependent upon available funds and
satisfactory performance. In addition, while these awards will be made by DSCYF, the actual
contracts will be executed, managed and monitored by the Delaware Criminal Justice Council
which will then report to DSCYF.
Compensation
Contracts resulting from this RFP are considered "cost reimbursable" such that successful bidders
will invoice for actual expenses to provide the contracted services for the previous month against
an agreed upon budget included in the contract. Therefore, each bidder is required to include with
its proposal a completed 12-month DSCYF Budget Form and Salary Detail (available in Excel
where this RFP is posted) and include a budget narrative which describes all assumptions and
calculations made to arrive at each line-item budgeted amount.
Successful bidders are responsible for payment of any and all federal, state or local taxes that may
apply. The successful bidders must accept full payment by electronic direct deposit to a bank
account.
Successful bidders are required to provide their own computer or laptop, cellphone, vehicle, and
other "tools" to complete all service requirements. Laptop must be encrypted to the State of
Delaware standard if state data is stored on the device.
A Delaware Business License is required of each successful bidder at the time of contract
execution, but not at time of proposal. Successful bidders must obtain and maintain a Delaware
business license for the term of the contract unless they are able to document IRS non-profit status.
The successful bidders are NOT a State of Delaware employee, but rather an independent
contracted provider.
Required Programming
Traditional OST
DPBHS is strongly committed to the use of evidence-informed best practices. To support use of
these practices across OST programs, DPBHS has created a standardized list of evidence based
and best practice programs (referred to as Core Standards throughout the remainder of this
document) which must be implemented in "traditional" OST programs. Bidders providing
traditional OST programming are required to implement the following Core Standards at their
Centers/Locations throughout the contract period of these awards:
* Sandy Hook Promise
* Mindwise - Signs of Suicide (SOS)
* Trauma-Informed Community Engagement
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"Traditional" Out of School Time programs are those which occur at a set location at a regularly
scheduled time and require youth to be registered for generally consistent participation in the
program. Individualization among centers/locations is encouraged and can be achieved through
the delivery of a variety of additional activities that blend academic, cultural, artistic, agricultural,
recreational and other interests of their participants. Proposed programs in which the Core
Standards listed above are not age-appropriate, must include a plan for alternative age-appropriate
suicide and violence prevention strategies with its target population (as appropriate).
DPBHS (directly or through partners) will provide materials and training of program staff on the
Core Standards. These will be provided at no cost to the successful bidders. Training courses are
reasonable in duration, and the Core Standards are designed to be easy to implement. Staff will be
expected to deliver these programs in their centers/locations once they have received the proper
training. The successful bidders determine when they will offer these programs to participants
based on availability of space and trained staff and should detail the implementation plan in their
proposal. Centers/Locations are responsible for tracking the age, school grade, gender and race of
participants, in addition to collecting pre- and post- survey scores when indicated and providing
this data to DSCYF.
Non-Traditional OST
Non-traditional out-of-school services are those that are not offered to a consistent group of youth
on a routine basis. These may be more supportive services or those offered for a brief time or to a
fluid or changing group of youth. For example, if a bidder proposed to offer a mindfulness and
yoga class to high school sports teams across the state that would be considered a supportive or
non-traditional out of school time service and a service such as this would not be expected to
deliver an EBP as required in Traditional OST programs. This service would, however, be required
to demonstrate the service's support of improving overall physical and mental wellbeing and teach
youth how to manage and regulate their emotions and behavior.
CORE STANDARDS
Violence Prevention and Inclusion
Sandy Hook Promise: Start with Hello teaches children and teens how to be more socially
inclusive and connected with each other. Start with Hello encourages youth to take extra steps to
reach out to their peers who may feel left out. As part of Start with Hello, each program will
organize events and activities that promote social inclusion and build a feeling of community
among youth.
Requirement: Successful bidders must organize 2 inclusion events or activities per contract year
at each location (year-round programs serving middle and high school aged students).
Additional information on Start with Hello can be found at
https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/prevention-programs2
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Suicide Prevention
Mindwise: Signs of Suicide (SOS)
Universal, evidence-based educational program that teaches youth to recognize the symptoms of
depression and suicide. Designed for middle and high school students. Can be conducted in a single
session.
Requirement: All successful bidders must participate in SOS training.
SOS will be offered a minimum of twice per contract year at each location (year-round programs
serving middle and high school aged students).
Additional information on Signs of Suicide (SOS) can be found at https://sossignsofsuicide.org/
Trauma Informed Care
In 2018, Delaware Governor, John C. Carney, signed Executive Order #24, making Delaware a
Trauma-informed state. This Order provided direction for the Family Services Cabinet Council to
help mitigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and build resilience in children,
adults, and communities. ACEs are traumatic events occurring before age 18. ACEs include all
types of abuse and neglect as well as parental mental illness, substance use, divorce, incarceration,
and domestic violence.
According to the Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health, 21.6% of children have
experienced at least one adverse childhood experience and 17.3% have experienced two or more
(https://www.childhealthdata.org/browse/survey/results?q=12228&r=9) . Parental separation or
divorce (31.8%) and substance abuse (20.4%) were the most prevalent adverse childhood
experiences whereas criminal behavior in the household (7.6%) and physical neglect (4.6%) were
the least prevalent (https://djph.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/djph-25-020.pdf) . Additional
Delaware specific information can be found from Kids Count at
https://datacenter.aecf.org/data/tables/11384-prevalence-of-adverse-childhood-
experiences#detailed/2/any/false/2490,2105,2043,1769,1696,1648,1603/6398,6388,8085/2203
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DSCYF has committed to a trauma-informed approach in our work with children, families, staff
and our partners. To guide our trauma-informed work, DSCYF has adopted the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-
Informed Approach (https://store.samhsa.gov/product/SAMHSA-s-Concept-of-Trauma-and-
Guidance-for-a-Trauma-Informed-Approach/SMA14-4884.html. Consistent with SAMHSA's
framework, DSCYF is working to ensure that service recipients, service providers and DSCYF
staff are knowledgeable about the prevalence of exposure and opportunities for resilience,
healing and recovery for children, families and communities served. DSCYF encourages the use
of strategies to build the capacity of staff and providers to recognize and respond to trauma
exposure, including the use of trauma screening and assessment, trauma-specific treatment
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interventions, trauma training for staff, and trauma informed supervision practices. DSCYF is
committed to actively resisting the re-traumatization of service recipients and staff and supports
the incorporation of trauma informed principles into all aspects of organizational policy and
practice (e.g. environments that promote a sense of physical and psychological safety, practices
that promote collaboration with and empowerment of service recipients). This trauma informed
framework is consistent with DSCYF's commitment to the systems of care principles. DSCYF
reserves the right to give preference to bidder or bidders which demonstrate having adopted a
Trauma Informed Care model in its service delivery practices.
Requirement: Successful bidders must participate in trauma trainings offered by DSCYF.
In addition, successful bidders must offer annual workshops for youth on the following content
areas:
* Mental health and stigma reduction
* Substance use prevention and education (age appropriate) including alcohol, marijuana and
tobacco (vaping)
* Bullying prevention
* Social media
* Sexual exploitation/human trafficking prevention
These workshops may be offered in partnership with other agencies that specialize in these areas
or successful bidders may conduct these workshops themselves. A curriculum outlining the content
for each workshop will be provided to DPBHS. Should youth request additional information, the
successful bidder will be equipped with resource materials to provide youth.
NOTE: Proposals introducing a service or program that is non "traditional" must describe how
the program addresses youth safety (i.e. suicide and violence prevention), trauma and overall
wellbeing.
RECOMMENDED COMPONENTS
Substance Misuse Prevention
Bidders are strongly encouraged to incorporate evidence-based or promising substance misuse
prevention curriculum into their programming. Some programs to consider include: Botvin Life
Skills Training (LST), Too Good for Drugs, Toward No Drug Abuse (TND), Prime for Life and
SPORT Prevention and Wellness.
Youth Voice
Bidders are strongly encouraged to incorporate additional resources and presentations into their
programming based on the interest of their participants and families. DPBHS suggests successful
bidders survey youth at their centers and in their communities to determine what they want, need
or feel would assist them in their further development (professional, academic, emotional, etc.).
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Family Engagement Opportunities
Bidders are strongly encouraged to include a family engagement strategy as caregiver input and
involvement are critical to youth's success. DPBHS encourages successful bidders to survey
caregivers to determine caregiver and family needs/desires/ requests and develop resources and
educational opportunities for them. Community partners and DPBHS may be able to assist in
connecting caregivers with additional resources and programs.
Nutrition and Wellness
Bidders are strongly encouraged to offer healthy nutritional options to youth, promoting both
physical and emotional wellness. Successful bidders are encouraged to consider adding calming
corners, sensory rooms or other safe spaces for youth who may need to remove themselves for
periods of time. Additionally, successful bidders should foster environments that support youth to:
* Understand and manage emotions
* Set and achieve positive goals
* Feel and show empathy for others
* Establish and maintain positive relationships
* Make responsible decisions
Partnerships Strengthen Programs
Bidders are encouraged to partner with individuals or entities to help meet the needs of youth who
will be served. The expectation is not that successful bidders are experts in all areas but that the
needs and interests of the youth are identified and that the successful bidders utilize connections
and other community assets to adequately address the requests of the youth and families they serve.
DPBHS encourages successful bidders to serve youth who may have fewer opportunities (e.g.
youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities, youth with significant behavioral challenges).
DPBHS is supportive of creative and innovative ways to align programs, services and resources
whenever possible and will consider funding opportunities for specialized activities of interest if
the youth are interested in them.
Volunteer Opportunities
Bidders are strongly encouraged to incorporate Volunteering provides an opportunity for youth to
make a meaningful contribution to better a community. It can provide a sense of purpose,
responsibility and ownership for the community in which they live. Volunteering may also give
youth an opportunity to build a skill, make social connections, and enhance self-esteem as well as
help youth with resume building. Successful bidders are encouraged to host opportunities for
young people to volunteer in their communities and to describe how volunteer opportunities will
be built into the program.
Youth Engagement Initiatives
Bidders are encouraged to incorporate youth engagement through the implementation of at least
one of the following two activities during each year. Bidders are encouraged to select and
implement one activity that best aligns with their service model and community needs.
1. Service Project
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Youth service projects enhance community engagement in the communities where young
people live. Research indicates that participation in service initiatives promotes the
constructive use of time, thereby reducing risk factors associated with unstructured and
unsupervised activities. Through active engagement, youth develop positive peer-to-peer
relationships and strengthen their sense of belonging and connection to their communities.
2. Exposure to New Experiences
Providing youth with structured exposure to new experiences fosters curiosity and interest
in learning. Such opportunities strengthen protective factors, including social
connectedness, self-efficacy, and coping skills. In addition, these experiences build
competence in navigating resources both within and beyond the community. By expanding
adaptive options and strengthening resilience, these activities can help reduce risks
associated with substance use, delinquency, and mental health challenges. (e.g. field trip,
college tour to a local college or university, trying a new sport, attending a play, etc.).
ADDITIONAL APPROACHES AND CONCEPTS TO CONSIDER:
Out of School Saturdays
DPBHS is interested in proposals that include Out of School Saturdays (or something similar)
where programming is offered during specified hours on weekends to provide space and
opportunity for youth to experience positive social interaction. Weekend programming also
provides the opportunity for caregivers to get some respite time to engage in self-care or other
activities they have trouble doing during the busy weekdays. Funding for this type of specialized
programming is flexible and may be separated out in the budget narrative to account for different
transportation, staffing and facility costs. Proposals should indicate the frequency with which
weekend programming will be provided (every weekend is not a requirement).
Extended Hours
DPBHS is interested in programs that will remain open later into the evening hours to provide a
safe place for youth to engage in structured, recreational, prosocial and supportive activities,
providing an alternative to spending time on the streets where they may be more likely to engage
in and/or be exposed to dangerous and violent behaviors or activities.
Drop In Centers
A drop-in center is a central place for self-help, advocacy, education and socialization. Often
centers are co-designed with young people to be fun, comfortable and safe. Drop-in centers
typically provide a home-like environment that is available to young people during critical hours
(typically 2pm -7pm or later). Some centers target a specific group of youth such as unhoused or
"runaway" youth, youth with behavioral health challenges, transition age youth or middle and high
school youth. Social services and social supports are often available as well as opportunities to
sharpen social skills, get homework help, write resumes, gain or strengthen life skills and other
programs or services the youth have identified to be needed (i.e. laundry services, showers, warm
meals, counseling, therapeutic groups, educational or employment assistance, case management
services, peer services).
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