Mid-America Regional Council

Buyer seeks early learning providers to deliver Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start services in Clay, Platte and Jackson counties, Missouri. Services are needed for approximately 340 children in total, with 200 in Clay and Platte counties and 140 in central Jackson County. Buyer will select more than one provider to operate within their network, with operations classified in three different tiers receiving varying levels of support from buyer staff. Providers may deliver center-based Head Start Preschool, center-based Early Head Start, Early Head Start Home-based services, or a combination.

• 4/7/2024 - Information Session
• 5/2/2024 - Review of Statements of Qualifications
• 5/5/2024 - Interviews and Information Sharing
• 5/27/2024 - Selection and MARC Board Approval
• 6/30/2024 - Contract Execution
• 9/1/2024 - Anticipated Start Date of Services
• 4/24/2025 - Proposal Due Date

• Have childcare license or license-exempt approval letter from Missouri
• Maintain adequate levels of insurance and name MARC as additional insured
• Provide regular reporting on services and financial matters
• Be eligible for USDA school lunch or Child Care Food Program
• Have adequate administrative, teaching and professional staff
• Meet Head Start education requirements for all staff positions
• Maintain required adult/child ratios for all classrooms

• Provide high-quality early childhood classroom experiences
• Deliver home-visiting services for Early Head Start families
• Manage family engagement services and support
• Meet Head Start adult/child ratio requirements
• Conduct required home visits and parent-teacher conferences
• Provide comprehensive child development services
• Operate center-based Head Start programs with minimum 1,020 annual hours
• Operate center-based Early Head Start programs with 1,380 annual hours
• Conduct 46 home visits per year for home-based programs
• Lead 22 group socialization activities annually for home-based programs
• Support school readiness through comprehensive education services
• Implement play-based, project-based approach to learning
• Create environments of belonging for children and families
• Manage Thomas Roque Early Education Center (optional)
• Recruit and retain highly skilled workforce
• Follow proper staff education requirements and credentialing
• Submit monthly invoices and financial reports
• Provide meals and snacks through USDA programs
• Collaborate with community partners to enhance services
• Comply with federal Head Start requirements