FY27 CDS Hair Care Initiative

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is seeking a single awardee to deliver a statewide, trauma‑informed, culturally competent hair‑care education and service program for youth in foster care, their caregivers, and DCFS staff. The provider must offer hands‑on workshops, virtual training modules, individualized hair‑care plan consultations, caregiver resource‑kit distribution, youth‑direct styling events, and staff cultural‑competency training, all delivered by licensed cosmetology professionals. The program runs from 10/1/2026 to 6/30/2027 (approximately 9 months) with a total award ceiling of $324,035. Applicants must be SAM‑registered, pre‑qualified through GATA, and able to manage a maximum of 40 concurrent cases statewide. • Target population: foster‑care youth with textured/multicultural hair, their caregivers, and DCFS staff. • Core services: in‑person caregiver workshops (2‑3 hr), virtual on‑demand modules, individualized hair‑care assessments & plans, caregiver kit distribution, youth styling events, DCFS staff cultural‑competency training. • Staffing requirements: licensed Illinois cosmetology/barbering/braiding professionals (≥2 yr experience), licensed cosmetology educators for workshops, program director with ≥5 yr experience. • Funding: $324,035 total; administrative costs capped at 20 %, fringe benefits ≤25 % of salaries; indirect costs allowed (NICRA or de‑minimis 15 %). • Reporting: monthly/quarterly performance and financial reports; performance metrics include number of caregivers trained, plans completed, kits distributed, youth satisfaction, and staff training completion.