Promoting First Relationships-Agency Training Project

The Promoting First Relationships – Agency Training Project is a funding opportunity administered by Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), specifically through its Community Health Services Parent-Child Health Program. This initiative is backed by the Best Starts for Kids levy, a community-centered King County initiative designed to support healthy, safe, and thriving childhoods. Through this grant, PHSKC aims to expand access to Promoting First Relationships (PFR), a structured, evidence-based curriculum that equips agency staff with the tools needed to promote nurturing and secure caregiver-child relationships for children aged birth to five. The training is available in two levels. Level 2 trains staff to become Certified Providers capable of delivering PFR services to families. Level 3 prepares existing Certified Providers to become Agency Trainers, enabling them to train and coach colleagues within their own organizations. Agencies may nominate multiple staff members for one or both training levels, and individuals must meet specific experience and education criteria. The project emphasizes both immediate impact and long-term sustainability, with agencies required to outline plans for integrating and expanding PFR practices post-training. Funding totaling $94,215 will be distributed across multiple selected agencies. Awards will range between $2,000 and $20,000 depending on the number of staff participants and training type. Allowable expenses include staff salaries for training hours, audio/visual equipment (up to $500), training materials, toys for child engagement (up to $75), and stipends for participating families. Agencies must also support their staff in attending 51 to 67 hours of training activities during work hours. The application process requires submission of a cover page, a letter of interest addressing agency qualifications and staffing, personnel budget details, and identification of staff applicants along with their qualifications and targeted training level. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as agency and staff qualifications, readiness to implement the curriculum, sustainability planning, and support infrastructure. The RFA was released on September 19, 2025, with applications due no later than 2:00 p.m. on November 4, 2025. Optional but recommended pre-application technical assistance was offered, and a virtual pre-application conference was held on October 1, 2025. Applicants selected for interviews will be notified by mid-November, and awards are expected to be announced by December 16, 2025. Agreements will begin on January 1, 2026, and project activities are expected to conclude by December 31, 2026. Agencies must demonstrate a commitment to equity and social justice, reflecting King County’s anti-racism stance and prioritizing support for underserved and marginalized communities. Agencies are also required to meet reporting, evaluation, and insurance requirements and to provide documentation such as demographic data, service logs, and final program outcomes.

Ensure clarity around staff roles and eligibility; demonstrate sustainability commitment; confirm technology and scheduling flexibility; attend optional info sessions for competitive edge.