A Proposal for Building Parent Leadership and Power

First 5 Sonoma County is pleased to announce the release of a new Request for Proposals (RFP): Building Parent Leadership & Power in Sonoma County (RFP#2627-201).

Through this funding opportunity, First 5 Sonoma County seeks proposals from community-based organizations to develop and implement culturally and linguistically responsive activities that strengthen parent leadership, advocacy, civic engagement, and opportunities for shared decision-making on issues impacting young children and families.

A total of $900,000 over a three-year period has been allocated for this initiative, with contracts anticipated to begin on August 1, 2026.

Programs funded through this opportunity should support:

• Parent and caregiver networking and leadership development
• Advocacy and civic engagement training
• Participation in boards, commissions, councils, and policy efforts
• Culturally responsive and inclusive engagement strategies for families with young children

Priority will be given to proposals that engage:

• Low-income and under-resourced communities
• Multilingual families
• Families of children with developmental, behavioral, or social-emotional needs

Key Dates:

• May 15, 2026 – RFP Released
• May 22, 2026  (5:00PM) – RFP Questions due to First 5
• May 26, 2026 (5:00 PM) -Responses to questions posted on the First 5 Sonoma County website
• May 29, 2026 (5:00 PM) – Mandatory Letter of Intent Due
• June 22, 2026 (5:00 PM) – Proposals Due 

Only applicants that submit a complete and eligible Letter of Intent will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Questions regarding the RFP may be submitted to: funding@first5sonomacounty.org. Please visit the First 5 Sonoma County website to review the full RFP and application materials.

HEAPA’s Response

The Request For Proposals above got us thinking about how HEAPA could participate in a submission. Our collective history has demonstrated our commitment to developing leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement among low income and under-resourced communities. That includes years of focus in early child development and behavioral health.

Currently, our projects are designed to bring increased civic engagement and power acquisition to experienced unhoused through personal support and communication technology training serving: SAVS and Share of Sonoma County case managers, Homeless Coalition Lived Experience Advisory Board members, Los Cien BRIDGE Members, and Asian American Teen Advocacy Council members.

Upcoming projects include applying the lessons learned in our work with Share of Sonoma County case managers to better communicate and collect data within the new amalgamation of the current HMIS and Smart Key data systems in the Department of Health Services. We are additionally exploring utilizing current participants to research the barriers to full participation by parents and caregivers in Sonoma County advisory boards and commissions. Expenses for the project could address child care, transportation, employment, and the impact on benefit allowances.

HEAPA will be contacting our partners to discuss other ways in which we might play a role in the development of responses to this RFP.