EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR), a division of Respect Together, works to create lasting change by mobilizing advocates, service providers, leaders, and communities to support survivors, advance victims’ rights, and prevent sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. In addition to Pennsylvania-specific work, Respect Together operates the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) and is a partner in RALIANCE. PCAR partners with a network of rape crisis centers to bring help, hope, and healing around issues of sexual violence to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PCAR assures that communities have access to quality victim services and prevention education by providing funding, training, materials, and assistance to a network of rape crisis centers that serve all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. PCAR provides resources and training on sexual assault-related issues to professionals across the Commonwealth.
EXPECTATIONS:
PCAR is seeking to partner with an organization, individual, or team to evaluate and compare data and populations to create a report on rape crisis medical accompaniment services data and provide recommendations on best practices to increase the number of accompaniments and improve connections with local hospitals and rape crisis centers.
REQUIREMENTS:
We are looking for an organization, individual or team who has knowledge and experience around rape crisis center services and medical forensic exams. The project will involve reviewing aggregate data from multiple sources and county census populations. The data will be compared and evaluated. A report summarizing the data and offering best practices will conclude the project. The project will require collaboration as PCAR will assist with providing the data, information, and resources needed. Successful respondents must agree to work within PCAR’s publication standards. All content will need to meet 508 Compliance specifications for accessibility for people with disabilities.
The project must be completed by June 30, 2027.
PROPOSALS SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
- Applicant name and/or agency and contact information.
- Describe relevant expertise and experience related to rape crisis center accompaniment, medical forensic exams, and evaluation and comparison of data.
- List specific work you have conducted with a similar focus and provide two examples of previous work.
- Outline the timeframe for completing this project and the estimated cost for development.
- Provide two references from past work experience.
COMITTMENT TO DEI:
PCAR is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). One of our strategic goals is to become an antiracist organization. Included in this commitment is an interest in supporting and developing partnerships with minority-owned businesses or businesses that demonstrate measurable outcomes related to their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
We define diversity broadly to encompass the full spectrum of humanity, taking into account demographics such as race/ethnicity; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) status; gender identity; and disabilities, among others.
Equity is promoting justice, impartiality and fairness within the procedures, processes, and distribution of resources by institutions or systems. Addressing equity issues requires an understanding of the underlying or root causes of outcome disparities within our society.
Inclusion is the degree to which diverse individuals are able to participate fully in the decision-making processes within an organization or group.
As such, please respond to the following questions:
- Describe your existing programs and procedures designed to encourage and foster diversity, equity and inclusion.
- If your firm is a Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned, woman-owned, or LGBTQ-owned business, please indicate so and provide information on your firm's certification and certifying agency.
- Please provide the percentage of your firm's total employees by race and gender.
- Please describe if/how your firm will use BIPOC-owned, woman-owned, or LGBTQ-owned business in the proposed relationship. Please be as specific as possible.
Selection Process:
Consultants will be considered based on a variety of factors including:
- Demonstration of consultant’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion;
- Prior relevant projects or experience with firms of similar size and complexity;
- Knowledge and expertise of individuals that will work the projects;
- A proven track record of providing quality work on time;
- Ability to provide work within the scope on budget; and
- Response of references.
For further reference please see our organizational statement on our commitment to racial justice: https://pcar.org/sites/default/files/pages-pdf/commitment_to_racial_justicefinal508_updated.pdf.
SEND TO:
Proposals are to be submitted electronically by November 30, 2026 to: Barbara Sheaffer bsheaffer@respecttogether.org.