Request for Proposal (RFP)
Consultant Services for Community Health Worker Collaborative of Pierce County
Request for Proposals
Elevate Health, along with the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants to guide the development of a strategic plan on behalf of the Community Health Worker (CHW) Collaborative of Pierce County.
Important Dates to Keep In Mind
Date | Activity |
March 25, 2024 | Request for Proposals Released |
April 8, 2024 | Last Day to Submit Questions |
April 16. 2024 | Informational Webinar; Q/A |
April 26, 2024 | RFP Submission Deadline to Elevate Health |
April 30 – May 7, 2024 | Proposal Evaluations |
Week of May 13 - 17, 2024 | Interviews for Finalists |
May 22, 2024 | Final decision will be made |
May 29, 2024 | Finalist notification |
Please note that applications are due April 26, 2024.
Download Application (.pdf) Download Application (.doc)
Download the application and submit it, along with any relevant attachments, to rfp@elevatehealth.org.
Community Health Worker Collaborative of Pierce County Frequently Asked Questions
*This includes questions received at the April 16, 2024 Informational Webinar.
What is this RFP about?
Elevate Health, in partnership with the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, is seeking a qualified consultant to guide the development of a strategic plan for the Community Health Worker Collaborative of Pierce County. The Collaborative’s goals are to grow membership and develop a plan for providing culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate skill development, trainings and/or workshops.
What is a Community Health Worker (CHW)?
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are frontline public health workers who are trusted members, or have particularly good understandings, of the communities served. CHWs serve as liaisons between health and social service providers and the community to address social determinant of health needs and facilitate access to services. They also help to improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.
Examples of CHWs include:
- Peer Support Specialists
- Navigators
- Community Care Coordinators
- Community Health Advocates
- Promotores
- Doulas
- Sobriety Coaches
- Traditional Health Workers or Community-Based Health Workers
Who is eligible to apply?
We invite anyone with experience working with groups with diverse backgrounds; strong community-centered organizing and facilitation skills; proven background in collaborative strategic planning; experience collaborating with community based front line workers; knowledge or direct experience as a community health worker; experience working with communities of color; experience working with people furthest from health equity and equitable access to care; and a desire to advance grass roots organization to a sustainable future.
Is a budget proposal required?
Yes. Elevate Health has up to $50,000 to support this project. It is anticipated this work will be conducted over a period of 8-9 months, based on an estimated 20-30 hours per month. Applicants will need to submit their proposal based on an hourly rate and total cost for the project.
Are there application submission guidelines?
Yes. Complete the application by downloading the fillable file from Elevatehealth.org. Email the completed application and any other necessary attachments to RFP@elevatehealth.org. Please reference “RFP CHW Consultant 2024” in the subject line.
When is the deadline for final submission of an application?
The final submission deadline is Friday, April 26, 2024, at 5:00pm PST. The application needs to be emailed to RFP@elevatehealth.org. Please reference “RFP CHW Consultant 2024” in the subject line.
What is the reporting structure?
The consultant will report to the Clinical Integration Manager at Elevate Health and CHW Coordinator at Tacoma Pierce County Health Department. Monthly meetings and written progress reports are required.
What is the expectation of the CHW Collaborative members to participate in the planning sessions? Is there a minimum quorum or expectation to make decisions?
At this time there is no minimum quorum required. All members are invited to the workgroup. The collaborative is open to ideas on other ways to navigate this.
Are there any constraints with moving at a quicker pace and decrease the proposed eight-to-nine-month project timeline?
There is flexibility in adjusting the estimated eight-to-nine-month timeline. This timeline was an estimate based on several factors.
- Time to build a relationship and trust with members.
- CHW members availability.
- The CHW Collaborative current meeting structure
- One monthly 90-minute meeting for the membership at large.
- An additional monthly 90-minute meeting for the planning team.
- Once a quarter in person, 2–3-hour training which replaces the monthly membership at large meeting.
What is the culture that exists within the group? Is there an established structure of hierarchy and decision-making?
The group has moved away from an executive team decision making process and would like to move towards a group decision making process. Currently the planning workgroup is making decisions.
With the shift to group decision making, at what organizational stage would you say the collaborative is at? Where is the group with figuring out their new culture or are they ready to go?
The collaborative is at the forming stage of organizational development. The culture is still being developed.
What is the optimal outcome from the engagement for this group?
The optimal goals are to have an established governance and support structure including a strategic plan for the members to operationalize. Forming a 501c3 has been mentioned in the past but currently there is no active work on this.
Are the Community Health Worker Collaborative members incentivized or paid for their participation, or should part of the proposed budget be used for this?
The membership is on a volunteer basis. Members are not and will not be incentivized or paid to participate by Tacoma Pierce County Health Department or Elevate Health. The collaborative is “by and for Community Health Workers.” Some employers allow their CHWs to attend as part of their work hours, others are volunteers.
Is there a fiscal agent supporting the collaborative?
Currently the Medical Reserve Corp under the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department holds this role. The Collaborative does not have any established cash flow or current funding streams.
Will the budget be used towards anything other than consultant compensation? Does it need to be used to host trainings for the CHW or is it outside of this budget?
The $50,000 is to cover consultant services only. If any trainings are planned, the collaborative would need to seek funds to cover the training.
Will the consultant be responsible for planning events?
No, the consultant is not responsible for planning events. This is the responsibility of the Collaborative members.
What is the number of Community Health Workers in Pierce County? Do they all participate in the CHW Collaborative?
The number of CHWs in Pierce County is unknown. The Collaborative has an email distribution list of two hundred people. Average attendance at the Collaborative is 20 – 30 members.