Request for Proposals: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant

Dependency Advocacy Center (DAC) is seeking DEI Consultants to finalize and implement its newly developed DEI strategic plan and conduct all staff DEI trainings.

Organization Description

DAC, a nonprofit organization, provides interdisciplinary family defense legal services to indigent parents and children involved with Santa Clara County’s child welfare system and the juvenile dependency court. Our adult clients face the risk of permanent separation from their children due to allegations of abuse and neglect. Substance use disorder, intimate partner violence, and mental health concerns are commonly presenting issues, often rooted in the layered effects of poverty, marginalization, and intergenerational trauma. Our approach to holistic family defense utilizes an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, social workers, and mentor parents to create client-centered legal strategies designed to support the family’s long-term success.

Founded in 2008, DAC consists of 40 employees from varied disciplines and backgrounds. DAC’s offices are in downtown San Jose. Along with this location, staff work in the community, at the courthouse, and have the option to work from home when appropriate.

Project Overview

A staff-driven DEI Committee is leading efforts for DAC to become an actively anti-racist organization and a strong ally to the communities we serve. We recognize the importance of intentional efforts to support individuals of diverse ethnicities, abilities, genders, ages, and sexual orientations. The mission is to create an inclusive and equitable environment where respect, kindness, and empathy guide all interactions with staff, stakeholders, and clients. To that end an organizational assessment with respect to DEI matters was conducted in 2023 and the committee is finalizing a DEI strategic plan. A grant has been secured for the coming year to implement the plan and conduct further DEI trainings. 

The purpose of this RFP is to solicit and select a forward-thinking, solutions-driven DEI consultant to conduct either or both of the following:

  1. Provide guidance and implementation expertise for DAC’s DEI strategic plan.
  2. Conduct staff-wide DEI trainings.

DAC’s plan for the coming year is to move forward its much-needed DEI initiatives. Internally, DAC’s staff come from a wide array of backgrounds including those with lived experience and from the communities our clients come from. While this diversity adds to the richness of the organization, it poses challenges as well regarding communication styles, implicit biases, microaggressions, isolation, etc. Externally, our clients come from marginalized communities and are disproportionately people of color. Having a tailored implementation of the DEI strategic plan aspires to address both internal dynamics as well as client service delivery. Planned internal issues to address include hiring and onboarding practices, how employees communicate and interact with each other, and creating safe spaces for staff to dialogue. External issues to address include having a better understanding of our clients’ circumstances and developing communication skills to better serve our clients. Overall, outcomes we hope to achieve are a better employee experience at the organization and for clients, a better experience of service.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

The following scope of work represents the anticipated activities and deliverables to be conducted by the consultant(s):

  • DEI Strategic Plan Implementation:
    • Provide guidance and facilitation to DAC’s DEI committee, management team, and staff groups.
    • Provide clarity, structure, direction, and accountability to guide DAC’s DEI efforts.
    • Finalize DAC’s DEI Strategic Plan.
    • Based upon review the 2023 organizational assessment, the finalized DEI strategic plan, and discussions with the DEI Committee/Executive Team, create a detailed implementation plan.
    • Execute the implementation plan.
    • Lead the evaluation component of the grant activities.
    • Create a sustainability plan for DAC to continue its DEI efforts beyond the consultant’s work.
  • DEI Trainings for All Staff
    • Design a minimum of two in-person trainings for all staff consulting with the DAC DEI committee and executive management team.
    • Prepare materials/media for the all-staff trainings.
    • Facilitate/deliver trainings to all staff.
    • Garner feedback from trainings and debrief with the DAC DEI committee and executive management team.

Timeline and Budget

The DEI grant DAC has secured is for 4/1/24 to 3/31/25. The grant allows for time for ramp up and consultant selection. We are looking for creative proposals that can deliver the scope of work in a cost-effective way without compromising quality. All proposals should include a proposed budget and timeline.

There are two components to the RFP (see Scope of Work and Deliverables section) — proposals will be accepted for either or both parts:

DEI Strategic Plan Implementation

Timeline: we anticipate the implementation consultant engagement will be for approximately 10-12 months.

Budget: up to $60,000.00

DEI Trainings for All Staff

Timeline: a minimum of a two in-person all staff trainings to take place prior to 3/31/25.

Budget: up to $10,000.00

Proposal Instructions

Proposals submitted must include the following information:

  1. Name of the proposed independent consultant and name of the representative submitting the proposal. Include all contact information.
  2. Identify which component(s) you are proposing to complete.
  3. Describe your expertise and specific consulting approach when partnering with a small to medium sized non-profit organization. Please articulate what makes your approach unique and effective. Describe your expertise specifically in review, recommendation of, and implementation of DEI initiatives for organizations in their initial engagement with DEI.
  4. Describe the DEI-related work you have most recently completed for organizations like DAC.
  5. Identify a minimum of two other organizations that engaged you as a DEI consultant, to serve as business references for your services.
  6. Provide a timeline and fees schedule.
  7. Proposals submission deadline is 3/31/24.

Evaluation Criteria

The proposals received will be evaluated based on the following criteria to determine each respondent’s qualifications. The order does not indicate relative ranking.

  1. Demonstration of competence, technical expertise, and experience in implementing DEI initiatives and strategies.
  2. Demonstrated record of responsiveness and quality of services provided to prior organizations as provided through feedback from business references.
  3. Estimated level of effort, total cost, and a proposed timeline to complete the deliverables, as well as the willingness to offer flexible fee arrangements.
  4. Responsiveness to the RFP, including clarity and organization of responses, clear presentation of experience and approach to ensuring the items listed in the scope of work and deliverables are fully met.

Issuance of this RFP in no way constitutes a commitment by DAC to award a contract. DAC reserves the right to reject any or all bids or portions of bids received in response to this RFP, to request modification or clarification of any part of a proposal, or to cancel this RFP if it is in the best interest of DAC to do so. DAC may reject any bid if it is considered incomplete or conditional, contains irregularities, or does not meet qualifications, requirements, or specifications. Failure to furnish all information may disqualify the proposal.

Upon selection of a consultant, a contract containing the scope of services, project timeline, and fee schedule will be negotiated.

Proposal Submissions

Interested consultants are asked to submit their proposals via email to Nicole Radden at nradden@sccdac.org. Proposals submission deadline is 3/31/24.

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FIRST CALL FOR FAMILIES MANAGING ATTORNEY POSITION

Organization Description

Dependency Advocacy Center (DAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides interdisciplinary family defense legal services to indigent parents and children involved with Santa Clara County’s child welfare system and the juvenile dependency court. Our adult clients face the risk of permanent separation from their children due to allegations of abuse and neglect. Substance use disorder, intimate partner violence, and mental health concerns are commonly presenting issues, often rooted in the layered effects of poverty, marginalization, and intergenerational trauma. DAC was founded on the belief that traditional legal advocacy is insufficient to adequately represent our parent and youth clients. Our approach to holistic family defense utilizes an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, social workers, and mentor parents to create client-centered legal strategies designed to support the family’s long-term success.

Job Description

This is a full-time managing attorney position for DAC’s innovative program, First Call for Families (First Call). First Call is a prevention-focused endeavor in collaboration with Santa Clara County’s Social Services Agency (SSA). One of the first of its kind in California, this attorney-led interdisciplinary team offers crucial early access to legal advice and resources designed to help stabilize the family and, where possible, prevent unnecessary entry into the foster care system. Comprised of two staff attorneys, two social workers, three mentor parents with lived child welfare experience, and one part-time paralegal, First Call’s interdisciplinary team provides a creative, holistic approach to pre-petition advocacy and family-strengthening for families at risk of entry into the formal child welfare system.

The First Call team provides three primary services: (1) advice calls from eligible parents on a toll-free “warm line,” (2) Know Your Rights to educate the community about child welfare system involvement, and (3) limited scope representation to assist with family stabilization and address specific areas of vulnerability such as housing instability, substance use disorder, mental health, and/or domestic violence issues. If a formal petition is filed in dependency court, the First Call attorney may represent the parent through the beginning stages of their legal case.

The primary responsibilities of the First Call Managing Attorney include:

  • Managing and supervising the interdisciplinary team;
  • Staffing all First Call client and warm line work in collaboration with the team;
  • Developing Know Your Rights materials;
  • Acting as the liaison with the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS);
  • Coordinating outreach efforts and building networks with community partners;
  • Working with executive management to ensure all programmatic needs are met, including data collection, budget oversight, and team protocol.

In addition, the managing attorney may take on a limited caseload of clients as appropriate, and as required by the needs of the program.

Desired Qualifications

  • Member in good standing of the State Bar of California;
  • High degree of professionalism and strong commitment to social justice;
  • Experience working with and advocating for marginalized communities on issues such as housing, family law, mental health, domestic violence, public benefits, immigration and child welfare system involvement;
  • Ability to work collaboratively and lead an interdisciplinary team that includes social workers and parents with lived child welfare experience;
  • Ability to work compassionately and respectfully with clients in crisis;
  • Ability to network and build partnerships with community based organizations
  • Trained in cultural competency, motivational interviewing and trauma informed service delivery
  • Familiarity with data entry and reporting preferred
  • Management experience preferred
  • Bilingual Spanish speaking preferred

Salary/Benefits

Salary Range: $103,000-$106,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, and vision coverage available. Generous PTO.

COVID-19 Considerations

DAC is taking full precautions to keep their staff and clients safe. DAC requires that all staff be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Application Process

Please send cover letter and resume via email to DACjobs@sccdac.org. In your cover letter, please include the following information: In order to best serve our clients and our community, DAC is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity, and diversity among our staff

 

 

 

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DEPENDENCY ADVOCACY CENTER – STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION

Organization Description

Dependency Advocacy Center (DAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides interdisciplinary family defense legal services to indigent parents and children involved with Santa Clara County’s child welfare system and the juvenile dependency court. Our adult clients face the risk of permanent separation from their children due to allegations of abuse and neglect. Substance use disorder, intimate partner violence, and mental health concerns are commonly presenting issues, often rooted in the layered effects of poverty, marginalization, and intergenerational trauma. DAC was founded on the belief that traditional legal advocacy is insufficient to adequately represent our parent and youth clients. Our approach to holistic family defense utilizes an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, social workers, and mentor parents to create client-centered legal strategies designed to support the family’s long term success.

Mission Statement

Dependency Advocacy Center provides zealous legal representation to indigent clients in the juvenile dependency system to promote timely reunification and preservation of families in a safe, healthy environment.  DAC believes that every parent and child entering the dependency system has a right to be treated with dignity, compassion and respect.

Responsibilities and Duties

The staff attorney will be responsible for a full caseload representing parents and some children at all stages of the juvenile dependency process.  The position requires extensive court appearances and daily client contact.  Representation includes client interviews, providing ongoing assessments of the merits of cases, conferring with social workers, opposing counsel, and other service providers, appearing at all court hearings, preparing witnesses for trial, participating in mediations and presenting clients’ cases to the court during uncontested hearings and bench trials.  The attorney will also participate in frequent trainings to build legal knowledge, strengthen courtroom skills, and develop a deeper understanding of relevant systemic and social issues.

Desired Qualifications

  • Member in good standing of the State Bar of California
  • Knowledge and experience of juvenile dependency law preferred
  • Experience in courtroom advocacy preferred
  • Ability to work compassionately and respectfully with clients in crisis
  • High degree of professionalism
  • Ability to interact respectfully with judicial officers and adhere to the court’s schedule
  • Demonstrated commitment to public interest issues
  • Ability to flourish in a high-energy environment
  • Ability to multi-task and be a productive team player
  • Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills
  • Bilingual skills preferred
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team of social workers and mentor parents

Salary/Benefits

Salary: $85,500 annually. Medical, dental, and vision coverage available.

Application Process

Please send cover letter and resume via email to DACjobs@sccdac.org. Cover letter to include answers to the following questions:

  1. Why are you interested in working as a family defense attorney and at DAC specifically?
  2. In order to best serve our clients and our community, DAC is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity, and diversity among our staff?

COVID-19 Considerations:
DAC is taking full precautions to keep their staff and clients safe. DAC requires that all staff be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

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DEPENDENCY ADVOCACY CENTER VOLUNTEER AND INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

DAC has had the good fortune to work with a number of exceptional law student, paralegal and high school interns. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with DAC, please send your email inquiry to DACjobs@sccdac.org.

“The staff at Dependency Advocacy Center (DAC) are a truly unique group.  I’m inspired by their compassion and level of service that each team member provides daily.  The staff shares a message of advocacy, determination, and hope to motivate allies, professional partners, and families to work together to build stronger families.  DAC is not only a remedy for the problems associated with child maltreatment & neglect but offers a viable solution to helping families reunify while achieving stability and self-sufficiency.  DAC provides a holistic approach by using a multi-disciplinary team to increase family reunification and improve the quality of lives for families to thrive.

I’m incredibly grateful to have interned at Dependency Advocacy Center.  I gained a well-rounded learning experience in working with families, especially within the juvenile dependency system.  I have learned to assess the bio-psycho-social aspects of an individual and client, recognizing the client’s challenges and above all their support systems, strengths, and resiliency to overcome traumas and hardships.

I will forever by grateful to my Field Instructor Hilary, DAC staff, and the clients I served during my internship that have taught me the true spirit of determination, resiliency, persistence, and strength.  Thank you!”

-Y.C., San Jose State University School of Social Worker, MSW Intern 2017-18

“I’ve worked in many different areas of dependency law, from policy making at the Judicial Council, to representing the Agency with the County Counsel. No other environment provided the depth of personal interaction with clients and attorneys, and no other experience inspired me to pursue an area of law as much as my time with the Dependency Advocacy Center has.

I was able to meet real people and help them with their deepest struggles, as they were fighting to keep their family together. They were often battling very significant personal problems, but it was deeply moving to see how much they would accomplish, and the obstacle they could overcome, when motivated by love for their family.

The DAC attorneys are extremely intelligent and also abundantly compassionate. As advocates in the court room, they are effective and determined. As counsel for their clients, they are firm and direct about the work that must be done, but also encouraging and supportive. I was especially impressed with how supportive the attorneys also are of each other and their staff. The atmosphere of camaraderie in the office allows the attorneys, staff, and clients to share the burden of their difficult and emotional cases, and alleviate additional stress.

Working here would be an incredible opportunity for anyone interested in a meaningful and rewarding legal career.”

-T.G., USF School of Law, Summer Intern 2009