Thanks to $30 million in federal stimulus money the Chicago Public Schools began accepting bids Thursday for a $5 million contract earmarked for a community organization.
Thanks to $30 million in federal stimulus money the Chicago Public Schools began accepting bids Thursday for a $5 million contract earmarked for a community organization. The Request for Proposal, which seeks student mentorship and advocacy services, is part of the school district’s comprehensive, anti-violence initiative program. The RFP can be downloaded online at cps.edu. CPS officials said the goal here is to reduce the likelihood that at-risk students will engage in, or become victims of, violence; and create a safe, secure and supportive environment for students to improve attendance and excel academically. The initial RFP will focus on mentorship for up to 3,000 students who are deemed to be at-risk. Two more RFPs will go out in the next few weeks for a Safe Passage program and to create a Culture of Calm program at 38 high schools that have experienced high incidents of violence. A blue ribbon panel, made up of 13 volunteers, will assist in reviewing RFP responses to ensure that the most qualified organizations are selected. Members include retired Chicago Police Superintendent Terry Hilliard and civil rights attorney James Montgomery. Ron Huberman, CEO of CPS, said having community members help select a community organization is critical to its election process. “Civic and community involvement is key to the success of our larger initiative,” he said. “A panel of local and civic leaders will provide expertise and knowledge and help guide this process fairly and with an open and objective goal in mind,” he added.
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