Invitation to Bid

WCAP Early Childhood Program

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

Waldo Community Action Partners (WCAP) hereby invites interested parties to submit sealed bids for a contract to perform Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation services described below.  This work is part of federal and state funded programs providing Early Childhood Education, programing and support to children and families in Waldo County.

Proposal

General Information

  1. Purpose: WCAP seeks proposals for the provision of mental health services for our Early Childhood Program. The WCAP Early Childhood Program serves children aged birth to five and their families in Waldo County through Head Start, Early Head Start, Public Pre-K Collaborations, and a home visiting program.  The work schedule for this proposal will be nine (9) months for preschool school year programs and twelve (12) months for full year programs, commencing August 18, 2025, with the option of annual renewal.
  2. Who May Respond:
    1. The WCAP program seeks an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant who is responsible for providing mental health consultation and support to program staff, children, and families. The consultant will provide a broad range of services including early childhood mental health consultation in classrooms, training of staff; training of parents and families; assessment and referral services.  The consultant will collect data in accordance with WCAP procedures.  The consultant will follow all Head Start Program Performance Standards.
    2. Knowledge: The consultant will have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of: infant and early childhood mental health; child mental health services and systems.
    3. Preferred experience: familiarity with Conscious Discipline, the Pyramid Model, the Devereaux Early Childhood Assessment and Head Start.
    4. Education and experience: Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling or related field; LMSW, LCSW, LCPC, or LMFT highly desired; minimum of two years providing direct prevention services to children 0-5.
    5. Other requirements: Must DMV check; sex offender registry check; fingerprinting; SBI Check; DHHS background check; physical (Every three years); TB screen. Consultant must provide general and professional liability insurance to WCAP before any work begins.
  3.  Bidders Conference : There will be not be a bidders conference.
  4.  Instructions on Proposal Submissions
    1. Closing submission date: Please submit proposals by 3:00 p.m. on August 8, 2025. Both electronic and hard copy submissions will be accepted. Failure to submit by the date and time above may result in your proposal not being considered. Please submit attention to:

Julie Allen
Education & Children’s Services Manager
Waldo Community Action Partners
9 Field Street Belfast, ME 04915
jallen@waldocap.org

    1. Inquires: Please direct inquiries to:

Julie Allen
Education & Children’s Services Manager
Waldo Community Action Partners
9 Field Street Belfast, ME 04915
jallen@waldocap.org
(207) 338-6809, ext. 2002

    1. Instructions for Proposal Submission: Please submit a proposal that details the following:
      • Contact information of organization/individual
        • Organization name (if applicable)
        • Contact Name
        • Address
        • Phone Number
        • Email
      • Technical Qualifications
        • Prior Experience: please highlight experience working with children 0-5, their families and or early childhood services.
        • Value- Added Services Beyond Scope of work: please outline any other services and supports that you could offer that may provide efficiencies, improve provision of services, or assist with staff training.
        • Organization, Size, and Structure (if applicable)
        • Staff Qualifications: Outline all staff qualifications and provide résumés and copies of all degrees, licenses, and certifications.
        • Approach and Engagement of work: provide an outline of your approach to the work requested.
        • Certifications: Provide the attached document.
      • Scope of Work and Activities to be Performed
        • Please refer to Section E of this document.
    2. Right to Reject: WCAP reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received. A contract for the accepted proposal will be based on the factors outlined in this invitation to bid which best meets our program needs.
    3. Presentations/interviews: At the discretions of WCAP, submitted proposals may be requested to make oral presentations/interviews as part of the evaluation process.
    4. Notification of Awards:
      • It is anticipated that a selection decision will be make with in 1 week of the closing date for the receipt of proposals.
      • Upon conclusion of the final selection all parties submitting proposals will be informed of the outcome.

E. Specification Schedule:

    1. Performance: Performance shall be based on the provision of services as outlined under Section F. A review process for the contract will be held at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months.
    2. Delivery Schedule: Schedule and delivery of services shall meet the needs of the program and as outlined in Section F.
    3. Price: Proposed costs shall be included in the submission. Payment will be made to the successful proposal as negotiated for services performed.  Please provide hourly rates for all individuals and services if separate fees are requested for different services please outline those specifics clearly.  Reimbursement for services awarded will depend on the proposal, experience, and qualifications.
    4. Payment: Payment will be made as outline under contracts and when WCAP has determined that work performed has been provided and complete including appropriate documentation and invoicing.
    5. Paperwork: All work will be documented and provided to WCAP as outlined under contract and or as required by WCAP policies and procedures. Data collection and reporting will use all WCAP approved systems and process.  All work provided, generated, and documented shall be the property of WCAP.
    6. Confidentiality: Information generated and or obtained through the provision of services under an executed contract shall be kept confidential. Any release of client information will be done so under specifically approved releases of information and only done on need to know basis and under the expressed request of Specific WCAP staff.

F. Description of work to be done: The primary role of the Mental Health Consultant is to assist staff working in WCAP Early Head Start and Head Start in addressing concerns and solving problems regarding either specific children and families or certain elements of their program.  The goal of consultation is to help staff and families develop attitudes and skills that enable them to more effectively respond to similar issues in the future.

    1. Provide ongoing consultation around mental health including behavioral and emotional concerns. Provide recommendations based on observations and input from staff and families.
    2. Provide regular/on-going consultation to each of the 16 Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms across 10 sites throughout Waldo County, as well as our home visiting program, to provide support to staff and/or parents around specific issues that need the expertise of the mental health professional.
    3. Upon parent of staff request, and with parental consent, conduct individual child observations to support parents and staff in appropriate interventions to address specific presenting behaviors and/or other mental health issues.
    4. Provide mental health based training to staff and parents upon request.
    5. Attend quarterly meeting with WCAP ECP Leadership Team to stay informed and up to date on agency/program information that affects the relationship.
    6. Submit required documentation and/or reports to the program within one week of the observation or meeting.

G. Supervision

    1. The oversight of the consultant will come from the WCAP Early Childhood Education & Children’s Services Manager through regularly scheduled contact or as needed.