The Sharon Darling Innovation Fund (SDIF) Family Learning System Challenge

Overview

The SDIF at the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is seeking proposals from interested organizations (adult education programs, early childhood programs, child care, out-of-school time programs, school districts, etc.)  to develop and implement innovative programs, initiatives, products, processes, or strategies aimed at significantly improving the status quo in family literacy, family engagement, and/or family leadership. Our goal is to support the development of strong, positive relationships between families and schools or community organizations, to provide families with the resources and support they need to participate in literacy and learning activities, get involved in their communities, develop their leadership skills, and improve both adult and child learning outcomes, including literacy and language skills, that lead to equitable thriving families and communities.

Goals and Objectives 

The specific goals and objectives of this RFP are to:

• Increase access and quality of educational opportunities for parenting adults and their families.
• Increase the number of families participating in literacy and learning activities.
• Improve the learning outcomes for children and their parents.
• Enhance and increase positive interactions between parenting adults and their children.
• Develop the leadership skills of parenting adults and caregivers.
• Support and promote the development of strong, positive relationships and engagement between families and schools or communities.

Scope of Work 

Proposals should outline how the organization will approach meeting one or more of the goals and objectives of this RFP, including details on the specific strategies and resources that will be used and, if possible, include the availability of matching funds or in-kind contributions to enhance the innovation. As stated above, proposals should be innovative (potential to significantly improve the status quo) and tailored to the needs of the community being served.

NCFL will notify the selected organizations of their acceptance by June 1, 2023.