Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Washington State Department of Commerce hereafter called "COMMERCE,” is initiating this Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purpose of allocating resources to entities that provide safety and stability to youth seeking protected health care services in Washington State. COMMERCE estimates to award approximately four to six contracts to provide the services described in this RFP. Final number and funding level of awards may vary from this estimate, and will be determined based on number of proposals received and proposal evaluation. This program funds organizations to provide supportive services to youth (under age 18) seeking protected health care (gender-affirming and/or reproductive health care) as outlined in Senate Bill 5599 (2023). Gender-affirming care means a service or product that a health care provider prescribes to an individual to support and affirm the individual's gender identity. See RCW 74.09.675 Reproductive health care means any medical services or treatments, including pharmaceutical and preventive care service or treatments, directly involved in the reproductive system and its processes, functions, and organs involved in reproduction, in all stages of life. See RCW 74.09.875 It is not required that all youth who access services funded by this grant are unaccompanied (living without support from parents/guardians) or experiencing homelessness. However, we expect grantees to prioritize outreach to and center the needs of youth who are unaccompanied or surviving housing instability, and, in particular, youth whose family support or housing stability is at risk because the youth is seeking access to gender-affirming or reproductive health care. Allowable services for this grant program can include, but are not limited to: (a) Access to behavioral health services (b) Peer navigators and support; (c) Employment support; (d) Education support; (e) Case management; (f) Advocacy and outreach; (g) Housing and financial support; or (h) Other navigation support to secure safe and stable housing, including the use of host homes.
