Tag: travel

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.

Powering Up the Unhoused

Greetings!  Here is some resources being considered by HEAPA.org for a local project.  We posed to Homeless Action and SAVS that we would help unhoused maintain charge cell phones more easily.  Our thought was to place a solar-powered battery-based charger, similar to those used to provide auxiliary power to houses during power outages, at  the Arline Francis Center in a pull wagon supervised by Nina Butterfly and her friends.  Then, Chessey Etheridge provided us with other options (with links below).  We’re trying to decide how much funding we can absorb, and which works best.

Finding effective outdoor charging solutions is a major focus for many cities, as a dead phone can be a total barrier to accessing housing services, employment, and emergency help.

There are a few different models that have seen success across the U.S., ranging from “street furniture” to secure locker systems.

1. Solar Charging Pedestals (“Street Furniture”)

These are stand-up stations designed for high-traffic public areas like parks and transit hubs.

  • Sunbolt & Legrand: Companies like these produce “Solar Stand-up” stations. They are often ADA-accessible and include USB/USB-C ports and Qi wireless pads.+1
  • Why they work: They are rugged, weather-resistant, and don’t require trenching for electrical lines if they are solar-powered.
  • The Challenge: They don’t provide security. Users have to stay with their devices while they charge, which can be difficult for people who need to be elsewhere for appointments.

2. Secure Charging Lockers

This is often considered the “gold standard” because it allows someone to leave their phone safely while it charges.

  • HonestWaves & Blessings and Beyond: These organizations provide lockers specifically designed for unhoused populations. Some versions use fingerprint scanners or unique PINs for access.
  • Stevens Point, WI: Recently implemented a set of 24 outdoor lockers (approx. 42″ tall) specifically for unhoused residents to store and charge items. They placed them in well-lit, camera-monitored areas with 24/7 access.
  • The “SHWASHLOCK” Program (Santa Monica): While tied to a service center (The People Concern), this model combines showers, laundry, and lockers. It’s been successful for nearly 30 years because it builds a “continuum of care” where charging is the first point of contact.

3. Portable Solar Distribution

Rather than a fixed station, some cities distribute individual ruggedized solar power banks.

  • Santa Barbara (New Beginnings Counseling Center): They partnered to hand out solar-powered chargers with built-in lights to people living in their vehicles.
  • Community Seva (San Jose): This group raises funds to distribute waterproof, shock-proof solar chargers.
  • Why they work: They offer mobility and privacy. The user doesn’t have to congregate at a single (sometimes stigmatized) location.

Summary of Best Practices

FeatureBenefit for Unhoused Users
SecurityLockers or fingerprints prevent theft while charging.
DurabilityMust be “marine-grade” or powder-coated to handle 24/7 exposure.
LightingStations should be illuminated to increase safety for users at night.
VisibilityPlacing them near existing service hubs (shelters/libraries) increases trust and usage.