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Safety for Advocates Training

Requesting Proposals for Safety for Advocates Training

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 provide a training on safety for sexual assault center staff. Advocates are increasingly facing safety risks, including harassment from community members, parents, school personnel, and other professionals that are driven in part by intensified public debate and misunderstanding about the role of anti-sexual violence work, especially in rural communities. Therefore, PCAR is seeking a training facilitator who can provide a virtual training to assist sexual assault centers and their staff with how to create and maintain physical and mental safety within their workplace and when working in the community.  PCAR is seeking proposals from qualified consultant(s), with a budget that aligns with industry standards for similar projects, covering 3 training hours and training content development.

Requirements:

PCAR is looking for a consultant who has prior experience facilitating training for sexual assault center staff on maintaining physical and mental safety. This project will require collaboration; we seek a partner that will meet agreed-upon learning objectives, meet federal grant required deadlines, and be able to complete the training by July 30, 2026. 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.

Proposals Should Include the Following Information:

  1. Applicant name and/or agency and contact information.
  2. Description of relevant expertise and experience related to training facilitation.
  3. List of previous work conducted with a similar focus, and if possible, provide an example of previous work.
  4. Description of proposed process for training development and facilitation.
  5. Outline the time frame needed to complete this process and the estimated cost of training development and facilitation.
  6. Two references related to previous projects completed.

Respect Together is committed to inclusivity, justice, and connectedness. One of our strategic goals is to become an organization that advances for opportunities for all. 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 inclusivity, justice, and connectedness.

We define inclusivity 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.

Justice is promoting impartiality and fairness within the procedures, processes, and distribution of resources by institutions or systems. Addressing justice issues requires an understanding of the underlying or root causes of outcome disparities within our society.

Connectedness is the degree to which individuals are able to participate fully in the decision-making processes within an organization or group. 

As such, please respond to the following questions:

  1.  Describe your existing programs and procedures designed to encourage and foster inclusivity, justice, and connectedness. 

Selection Process:  

Respect Together is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Respect Together’s selection process provides equal opportunities and consideration to all qualified proposal applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law. Consultants will be considered based on a variety of factors including:  

  • Demonstration of consultant’s commitment to inclusivity, justice, and connectedness;
  • 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 advancing opportunities for all.
 

Proposal Submission:

Proposals should be submitted electronically to the following: Tatiana Piper, Community Advocacy Coordinator, tpiper@pcar-respecttogether.org, 717-728-9740 x162.