Description
The Cuyahoga County Universal Pre‑Kindergarten (UPK) contract (RFP # 4517) funds the provision of high‑quality pre‑kindergarten services to roughly 4,000 three‑ to‑five‑year‑olds across the county for a three‑year period. Providers must be licensed, hold a minimum 3‑star “Step‑Up‑to‑Quality” rating, and accept public child‑care subsidies (or be Head Start). Funding is allocated on a per‑classroom basis, with rates ranging from $6,000 to $30,000 per classroom per year depending on program type and full‑/part‑day status. The contract requires extensive data reporting, family‑engagement activities, scholarship administration, and compliance with Ohio Healthy Programs and, for Cleveland sites, the PRE4CLE designation. Proposals were due Feb 25 2021, with a public opening Feb 26 2021; the contract term runs Aug 1 2021 – Jul 31 2024, and may be extended by agreement.
• Scope: Delivery of UPK classroom space, curriculum, teacher support, family services, data management, and scholarship administration.
• Funding: Fixed per‑classroom amounts (full‑day $24‑30 K, part‑day ½ of full‑day).
• Requirements: Licensing, 3‑star rating, staff qualifications, staff‑to‑child ratio ≤ 1:10, lead‑safety for family‑child‑care homes, data‑sharing agreement with Case Western Reserve University, and equity reporting.