THE CARE BALTIMORE: DIRECT CASH TRANSFERS iNITIATIVE
Request for Proposals (RFP):
Baltimore, MD
Applications are Closed
Congratulations to
Springboard Community services
our CARE Baltimore RFP Recipient
Watch the RFP Informational Session
Watch the CARE RFP virtual information session to learn more about the RFP process, and meet our Direct Cash Transfers team.
Announcing The CARE Baltimore Initiative
Building on the incredibly successful DCT model PSY has co-created alongside partners, PSY will work with Baltimore youth consultants and community partners to co-design the Baltimore DCT Program.
Point Source Youth (PSY), with partners across the US, has generated a growing body of evidence and practice knowledge on effectively implementing Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) interventions with young people by placing power and resources directly into the hands of young people. GreenLight Fund Baltimore is partnering with Point Source Youth to launch its Direct Cash Transfer program, CARE (Cash Assistance, Resources, & Engagement) Baltimore, to serve and support youth of Baltimore City experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Building on the incredibly successful DCT model PSY has co-created alongside partners, PSY will work with Baltimore youth consultants and community partners to co-design the Baltimore DCT Program.
This pilot is designed to test and improve upon community models for supporting young people to thrive in safe, stable housing without needing to enter the homelessness system. We believe that by trusting young people, removing financial barriers to housing, and offering supportive services before becoming unhoused, we will see more young people avoid homelessness and stay housed long-term. The technical assistance provided by PSY will center on implementing effective, youth-driven practices to emphasize youth trust and end youth homelessness.
How to Apply
Download the Request for Proposals (RFP) below to learn about the scope of the initiative, eligibility criteria, important timelines, and all relevant and timely information for applicants. This resource acts a detailed and thorough guide to submitting a complete application, please review it before submitting an application. Please submit your RFP response by October 13th, 2023- 5:00 PM EST to dct@pointsourceyouth.org.
The Proposals should not exceed 15 pages, 1” margins, 11pt, single space, and must provide all required information.
Register here for our virtual informational webinar on the RFP process on September 25, 2023, at 11 AM EST.
Recruitment
Because the objective is to support housing stability among young people experiencing homelessness, recruitment will focus on identifying young people at or about to enter the front end of the youth homelessness system (e.g., through drop-in centers and shelters) rather than those already receiving longer-term housing assistance (e.g., those in transitional independent living programs, permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, or receiving housing vouchers or subsidies).
We will work with a youth advisory council to collaborate on how to message the study and program in ways that communicate the objectives and principles of the program rather than explicitly focusing attention on the intervention’s cash assistance component.
Specific effort will go into co-designing local referral and intake processes that center the experiences and needs of Black, Indigenous, youth of color, 2SLGBTQ-identifying youth, and immigrant and refugee youth who are disproportionately represented among those experiencing homelessness.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be either public entities or nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are not private foundations or non-functionally integrated Type III supporting organizations.
Applicant organizations must be based in Baltimore City and have a Certificate of Good Standing with the state of Maryland.
Demonstrated experience with youth/young adult-centered case management and centering youth leadership.
Experience with/plan to participate effectively in program evaluation, tracking, managing, and willingness to share program data with PSY and our evaluators.
Awards will be made to organizations, not to individuals.
Demonstrated success with housing young people experiencing homelessness.
Have an active organizational Youth Action Board, or regularly work with a community-wide Youth Action Board.
Commitment and plan to uphold key principles of empowerment, trust, flexibility, meeting youth where they’re at, and 2SLGBTQ and racial equity.
Payment Amount and Frequency
Given the primary objective of supporting young people’s housing stability, we expect that an adequate transfer amount should align with the current market rate for shared housing in Baltimore. Each participant will receive direct financial assistance of roughly $1,000 per month for two years (24 months) disbursed at a frequency pre-determined by the youth.
Additionally, youth will receive a one-time larger drawdown of approximately $3,000 to pay for the initial costs of exiting homelessness (e.g., first and last month’s rent, security deposit, furniture, etc.) or to support any self-determined housing outcome. Centering youth voice and choice is paramount, and we expect the lead CBO to engage in creative housing conversations with young people in order to determine what they need to resolve their homelessness and accomplish self-determined goals.