About the
IYS Initiative
In collaboration with NL Health Services, Choices for Youth is announcing a Request for Proposals for community agencies, with the goal of establishing two new Integrated Youth Services (IYS) hubs in regions across the province. Our vision remains to build towards nine regional IYS hubs across NL, starting with two additional hubs.
THE INVESTMENT
This model has been developed through engagement with eight steering committees in communities of need, including 65+ community partners who have been engaged in this work since 2019. This project is also being supported by philanthropic partners, including the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, Bell-GBF Partnership, RBC, Medavie, and the Northpine Foundation.
HOW THE IYS
MODEL WORKS
The IYS model is driven by meaningful engagement with youth, caregivers, families and community members in the design and delivery of services.
THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) APPLICATION PROCESS
The IYS RFP will launch on Monday, September 23, 2024, and we will be accepting applications until Friday, November 29, 2024 (5:00 pm NST).
The IYS RFP process has been developed in consultation with provincial partners across Canada and will follow national best practices and guidelines for interested community partners and lead agencies throughout the application process.
We recognize that solutions for youth look different from one community to another. All proposals submitted by community organizations should include the following components:
- Applicant contact information
- A description of your community
- An overview of your proposed IYS hub, including:
- How it aligns with the IYS Core Principles, Concept, Model Criteria, and Desired Outcomes
- Proposed partnerships
- Location(s) and characteristics of your proposed Youth Hub
- Existing resources
- Needed resources and anticipated gaps
- Indications of endorsement and community support
- A projected budget – see Call for Proposals Budget Template
- Additional information regarding your community’s readiness to establish an IYS hub
HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL
All proposals must be submitted using the Request for RFP Submission Form and must include the Request for Proposals Budget Projection and Request Template.
The RFP Submission Form will guide your submission to ensure all proposals consider and include the following:
- Applicant contact information
- A description of your community
- An overview of your proposed IYS hub, including how it aligns with the IYS Core Principles, Concept, Model Criteria, and Desired Outcomes. You should also include location details and characteristics of your proposed hub.
- Existing resources, needed resources, and anticipated gaps
- Proposed partnerships
- Indications of endorsement and community support
- Proposed budget (see: Call for Proposals Budget Template) Additional information about your community’s readiness to establish an IYS hub.
- To be considered in the selection process, completed proposals must be submitted by Friday, November 29th, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. NST (4:30 p.m. in Labrador).
DOWNLOAD RFP PACKAGE
The RFP package contains four documents: RFP Guidelines, RFP Application (Word Version), RFP Budget Projection & Request Template, and Readiness Self-Assessment Tool. You can view and save the documents individually below or by downloading the .zip file package.
RFP SUBMISSION FORM
RFP proposals can be submitted online by completing the form at the button below.
Applications are due on Friday, November 29th, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. NST (4:30 p.m. in Labrador).
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IYS RFP PROCESS
Got questions about the IYS RFP? We’re offering online information sessions where you can learn more about the RFP and Integrated Youth Services directly from the proposal committee.
The webinars will also include a Q&A period where you can get answers to any questions you might have.
WEBINAR DATES
IYS RFP Information Session #1
Date: THURSDAY, OCt. 1ST
Time: 3:00pm NDT (2:30pm in labrador)
IYS RFP Information Session #2
Date: Thursday, Oct. 3rd
Time: 9:00am NDT (8:30am in labrador)
Can’t make the webinars or looking for region-specific information? Contact us to learn more.
FUNDING AND BUDGET
Proposals should also outline operational funding, which is annual funding provided by the IYS initiative to support the operation of the hub. The funding must be used to establish and operate the IYS hub and to provide net-new services to youth and young adults in the community.
Operational funding is intended to fill gaps in the IYS model after the Lead Agency and its service partners bring their resources together. Details on how operational funding may be used can be found in the downloadable RFP package.
COMMUNITY SELECTION CRITERIA
In selecting communities to host an IYS Hub, NL-IYS has two priorities:
- Serve communities with significant need for IYS. We will base our assessment of need on qualitative and quantitative data that outlines the needs of 12-to-29-year-olds in the region.
- Support communities that are ready, willing, and able to develop and operate an IYS Hub. This will include the identification of hub Lead Agency or co-Lead Agency (there may be up to two Lead Agencies), a committed steering committee, and the identification of regional assets and resources that can support this model.
Under this RFP, NL-IYS is tasked with launching two (2) IYS Hubs across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Hub launch scheduling will depend on the current level of readiness of each local IYS steering committee.
HOW HUBS WILL BE SELECTED
Selection for the new IYS hubs will be a process of understanding the balance between readiness, capacity, needs and other factors. With this being the first round of scaling IYS in NL, readiness to become operational will be weighted higher than in subsequent rounds.
Proponents who do not have the ability to implement quickly but can demonstrate a substantial need for an IYS hub in their community are still encouraged to submit a proposal. Any proposals received that are not successful in this Request will be kept for future funding opportunities and the Backbone Organization will stay in touch with the proponents.
TIMELINE
We’ll be accepting proposals for the RFP from September 23rd, 2024, to November 29th, 2024.
SEPT 23
RFP launches
OCT 1
Webinar #1
OCt 3
Webinar #2
Nov 29
RFP Proposals are due
end of Jan.
Selected sites are notified