Early Childhood and Maternal & Child Health Partners:

Start Early is excited to announce a 2026 RFP to support local planning activities to assess the feasibility and readiness of communities to implement a Universal Newborn Support System (UNSS). The RFP will fund short-term projects (May – December 2026) to assess the feasibility of UNSS in a local community, including exploration into new UNSS or the potential expansion of an existing UNSS system. 

We encourage you to register for the Bidder’s Webinar and RFP Kickoff on January 21 from 12:00 – 1:30 PM CT. Webinar materials will be emailed to all registrants after, feel free to register even if you cannot attend live. Submit questions in advance to Beth Savitzky at [email protected].  

RFP Timeline & Upcoming Dates:

• Wed., January 21, 12:00 – 1:30 PM 
  • Bidder’s Webinar and RFP Kickoff. Optional informational webinar, attendance encouraged.
    • Register here.
• Tue., January 27, 1:00 – 2:30 PM 
  • Optional Technical Assistance Office Hours prior to the LOI deadline.
    • Register here. 
• Fri., February 13, 5:00 PM  
  • Letters of Interest due. LOI is required for all applicants. 
• Tue., February 17, 1:00 – 2:30 PM 
  • Optional Technical Assistance Office Hours prior to the full RFP deadline.
    • Register here.
• Fri., February 27, 5:00 PM 
  • Full RFP due 
• Fri., March 28, 5:00 PM 
  • Notifications of awards. Interviews will be conducted with applicants as needed following the RFP submission.

Regardless of zip code or family income, when welcoming a new baby, all parents and families could benefit from additional encouragement and support. That is why Start Early is working to build the necessary public infrastructure and funding systems to scale Universal Newborn Support Systems (UNSS) that provide free, voluntary short-term home visiting and referral services to every family at the birth of a new baby to make connections to the supportive services and resources they may need and want. Learn more about UNSS here. 

Please feel free to share this message with partners in your community and others in your network who may be interested!