Program participants will be a part of a family residing in the city of Buffalo with a child under the age of 18, and who at the time of program enrollment has income at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Potential participants will be referred by the Department of Social Services, Live Well Erie community partners, and Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The program will support 600 families. The program is a comprehensive approach, to provide strategies for families that facilitate improved economic stability, financial independence, empowerment and hope for a better future. The purpose of the RFP is to secure the services of agencies to provide one or more of the following five components: 1. Career coaching services to help develop career plans and set goals. Monitor goal progress and attainment of goals. 2. Life coaching services to address challenges and development of strategies to attain workforce goals, including financial literacy and household budgeting. 3. Administration (Bidders must bid on components 3A-C together.) A. Administration, in collaboration with ECDSS and supporting agencies, and authorization of up to $9.6 million of incentivized direct cash assistance payments to program participants. Program participants will receive monthly performance-based incentive payments. Families may receive up to 29 incentive payments throughout their participation in the program. B. Administration and authorization of the reimbursement of fees for up to 115 participants enrolled in the DRIVE to success program C. Administration and authorization of up to $900,000 of match grant funds for up to 300 qualifying participant Individual Development Accounts (IDA).
