MCDSS is seeking vendors to implement an Upward Mobility Mentoring Program with direct supports and milestone cash incentives. This program will address five pillars of upward mobility: family stability, well-being, financial management, education/training and employment/careers. Additionally, we will include measures and goal setting for participants that include: family planning, child support orders, pre-school enrollment for families with 3–4-year-old children, school attendance for children in K-12, child welfare involvement, increased civic engagement and social capital. Respondents must provide a plan to provide mobility mentoring that will address the five pillars and how, using motivational interviewing, they will assess participants and create a Life Plan for upward mobility. The approach must describe how they will ensure goals are individualized, achievable, specific, have demonstrable progression milestones and tangible steps to completion. Direct assistance must be provided to enrolled families based on the results of the assessment and in direct correlation with goals identified in the Life Plan. Respondents must also describe how they will determine that the direct assistance provided will have a meaningful and sustainable impact on families’ long term economic potential Proposed uses of direct funding include: Housing supports promoting housing stability, including household needs (appliances, furniture), security deposits and first months’ rent, rental arrears, or utility arrears; direct assistance or child allowances that address a specific and targeted need that is not otherwise funded, including childcare, clothing, or other child needs; transportation support including funding for vehicle repair or purchase, driving lessons and road tests, registration, or insurance; and direct employment and/or workforce development support services, such as funding for entrance or exam fees, certification and licensing fees, tuition, books, uniforms, tools, etc. Additional direct supports will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Payments for specific needs should be issued to vendors whenever possible. For funding issued directly to participants (for specific needs or incentives) please describe how the funds will be issued. Preference will be given to proposals that help participants get banked, if not already, and make deposits of funds directly into participant bank accounts.
