BRIDGES - KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION PROGRAM

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Partnership for Children (PFC) of Cumberland County, Inc. recognizes that the transition to kindergarten is a critical time in a child's development and key to his/her successful school experience.   Evidence shows that, in partnership with families and early care and education programs,   schools have the power to smooth the transition to kindergarten.   PFC seeks to strengthen and enhance the transition to kindergarten experience for children in Cumberland County.   The proposal activity, “ BRIDGES ,” has been approved by the PFC's Board of Directors for Smart Start funding during FY 2008/2009 and FY2009/2010.   PFC is seeking an organization to administer this activity.   We strongly encourage applicants that are collaborative in nature, and willing to enhance existing programs and draw upon the resources and skills of the district and its schools.  

• Grant Guidelines.   Ideal applicants would have the following qualities:
  1. Collaborate by involving key stakeholders such as parents, early care and education programs, schools, community groups or others.
  2. Strengthen relationships in all of the following pairs:
     1. School to Family
     2. School to Child
     3. Parent to Child
     4. Early Childhood Program to School
  3. Increase continuity from the pre-k experience to the kindergarten experience (such as aligning/sharing curriculum, and supporting expectations or rituals between kindergarten classrooms and early care and education programs).
  4. Make use of the capacities, resources, and skills of the school/district and other collaborators.
  5. Enhance existing pre-k to kindergarten transition programs.
  6. Tailor program to the unique needs of the families and children being served.
  7. Provide mechanisms for continuous family involvement.
  8. Make More at Four classrooms a priority.
  9. Work with a “Ready School” consultant retained by PFC to integrate the statewide Ready School Initiative.  
  10. Work with a Planning Transition Team to explore promising kindergarten transition practices to consider for implementation in 2009-10.
• When are the applications due?   Applications must be received or postmarked by the close of business of June 23, 2008 . Application is located on the Smart Start Application Support Center.
• Awards.   The successful applicant will be notified by close of business on June 27th .   The project will begin on July 1, 2008 . Work must be completed by June 27, 2008. Upon satisfaction with the performance of the projects by both parties, contract may be extended another year to June 2009.
• Budget Allocation.   PFC Board has approved the Smart Start funding at a level of $ 125,000 for each year .                                                                      

For more information.   We encourage you to consult PFC's program staff, Linda Blanton (910-867-9700, ext 2230) at lblanton@ccpfc.org , for assistance and or for any questions regarding the application.

Contact:

Linda Blanton, R&D Director
(910) 867-9700, ext. 2230
lblanton@ccpfc.org