Request for Proposal: Independent Contractor

Request for Proposals

Title: Community Crisis Response Manual for Schools and Youth-Serving Organizations

Issue Date: March 24, 2026

Proposal Submission Deadline: April 10, 2026

Contact Person: Audrey Rastin, Director of Prevention Education

[email protected]  

Land Acknowledgement

Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (Boost CYAC) is situated on the traditional territories of the Wendat, Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, who have been the traditional caretakers of this land for thousands of years. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land. Subsequent Indigenous Nations and Peoples, Europeans and all newcomers have been invited into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work, and live in the community with each other.

Organizational Overview

Boost CYAC is a registered charity that provides a range of services to children, youth and families, who have experienced abuse or violence, within the City of Toronto.  Our services include advocacy and support during child abuse investigations, trauma counselling, court preparation and accompaniment services and prevention education and community training.

Boost CYAC is accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation, an independent non-profit organization that offers accreditation specifically tailored to community-based health and social services across Canada.

Introduction

We are seeking proposals from qualified consultants to support the development of a Community Crisis Response Manual for schools and youth-serving organizations. This project is part of Boost CYAC’s Prevention Education Program and focuses on responding to community crises involving interpersonal harm, particularly when a staff member or person in a position of authority is charged with an offence against a child or youth.

Project Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this project is to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based, trauma-informed and practical manual to guide schools and youth-serving organizations in responding to crises that significantly disrupt safety, trust, and community functioning and wellbeing. The manual will translate research and trauma-informed practice into clear guidance that supports stabilization, communication, and recovery following a crisis.

The scope of work includes:

• Developing a complete written manual grounded in trauma-informed practice, prevention education, community mental health, and crisis response;


• Building on an existing literature review and draft materials developed by Boost CYAC;


• Focusing on crises involving interpersonal harm or abuse by trusted professionals or authority figures;


• Providing guidance for multiple interest-holders, including schools, daycares, recreaction centres, religious institutions and organizational leadership, staff, caregivers, children and youth, and the broader community;


• Addressing key themes such as crisis stabilization, developmentally appropriate communication, victim-blaming and power dynamics, equity and inclusion, and re-establishing trust and safety;


• Ensuring the manual is practical, accessible, and usable by non-clinical audiences;


• Understanding and creating an anti-oppressive/anti-racist framework rooted in critical awareness of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.


• Acknowledging that this is an emerging practice area and situating the manual as a model that will be subject to future evaluation and refinement.

The successful consultant will work closely with Boost CYAC Prevention Education staff throughout the project.

This project must be completed by: September 2026

Proposal Requirements 

In your proposal, please include

• a description of your educational background, work experience and writing experience (as it relates to this project), writing samples are welcome;


• a detailed workplan you would follow to complete this project within the established timeframes of this project; and


• names of key personnel who will be associated with the project


• a full description of all expected costs for the work described.


• 2 work samples

Criteria for Evaluating Proposals

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Demonstrated understanding of and responsiveness to this RFP;


• Relevant experience in child and youth mental health, education, trauma-informed practice and crisis response;


• Demonstrated strength in professional and applied writing;


• Cost proposal; and


• Oral interview.

Terms and Conditions

The successful proponent will act as an independent contractor and not as an employee of Boost CYAC and the selected proponent will enter into a service agreement with the organization.

Boost CYAC reserves the right to:

• Accept or reject any proposal


• Cancel the RFP process


• Negotiate with the preferred proponent

This request does not commit Boost CYAC to award a contract or pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal. 

Information provided through this RFP process must be treated as confidential and proponents must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest.

The organization reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal.

Accessibility and Equity

Boost CYAC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and encourages proposals from organizations and consultants of diverse cultural backgrounds, racialized communities, persons with disabilities, and individuals of diverse sexual and gender identities.

Boost CYAC is committed to providing accommodation throughout the proposal process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).