Quality Matters Coaching RFQ Q&A by FIRST 5 Santa Clara County

Who can apply to this RFQ?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-10 16:15:57 UTC

This is an opportunity for individual coaches to apply. They do not need sponsorship or affiliation from an agency or organization to apply to this opportunity.

Are all the listed certifications required?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-10 17:17:16 UTC

No. The listed certifications help develop a baseline, but are not required for consideration. There is also an opportunity to share other coaching certifications that are not listed there.

Are there any specific requirements to apply, such as being on a family child care license or being an SSA member?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-10 19:14:25 UTC

You do not need to be on a family child care license or SSA (Shared Services Alliance) member to apply for this opportunity.

What is the time commitment of coaching?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-10 23:56:46 UTC

This will vary based on the amount of providers in your caseload and the level of support they need. The work is intended to not exceed 20 hours a month, but that may fluctuate based on variable factors.

How long is the agreement for?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-10 23:57:31 UTC

The term of the agreement is August 2026 to June 2027.

Are there any required trainings for the role?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-10 23:58:44 UTC

There are not specific required trainings, but all selected coaches will be expected to attend a monthly Coaches Community of Practice. The time and dates will be determined to best meet the group's needs.

Who should we list as a reference?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-10 23:59:25 UTC

Your reference should be individuals who can speak to and answer questions about your ability as a coach.

Do you have to have a certification in all the topics you may coach in?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-11 00:01:05 UTC

You do not have to have specific certifications in all possible coaching topics, though these serve as an important baseline in determining your expertise.

What is an RFQ?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-12 20:59:10 UTC

A Request for Qualification (RFQ) is a procurement method used by FIRST 5 to ensure an open and accessible process to access public funds for certain projects or roles. An RFQ typically outlines a very defined set of duties and responsibilities.

What is UPLIFT?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-12 21:01:17 UTC

UPLIFT (Unlocking Potential & Leading Impact for Tomorrow) is a program of Quality Matters. It is a pathway for the ECE workforce to access stipends by developing a quality improvement plan and completing professional development or quality improvement efforts aligned with their quality improvement plan. UPLIFT is funded by Quality Counts California.

How are the coaching rates determined?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-12 21:03:22 UTC

Once we select the group of coaches, we will work with each coach to determine their coaching level (1 or 2). This will be discussed during contract negotiations. Coach 1 will receive a rate of $53 dollars an hour, and Coach 2 will receive a rate of $64 dollars an hour.

How will coaches get coachees?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-12 21:04:07 UTC

Each coach will be assigned a caseload of Quality Matters participants to coach over the course of the year. Our goal is to have each coach support 10-15 educators.

What helps an application stand out?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-12 21:06:18 UTC

We encourage all applicants to take the time to complete their applications thoroughly and thoughtfully. Each question should be answered as fully as possible to help the review committee gain a comprehensive understanding of the applicant’s qualifications.

Is there a minimum hour commitment that the coaches need to make for the new program?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-24 18:45:48 UTC

There is no stated minimum time, but each coach should anticipate supporting 10-15 providers over the year and that will likely take at least 5 hours a month, though some months will be slower than others.

Will there be center-based coaching opportunities?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-25 16:17:46 UTC

FIRST 5 works primarily with Family Child Care Educators, Assistants, FFN (Family, Friend, and Neighbor), and Family Resource Center staff. Coaching funded by FIRST 5 will primarily be in these areas for the foreseeable future.

Are there plans for a "Coaching the Coach" model within the QM Umbrella?

first5santaclara — 2026-06-25 16:19:11 UTC

Part of this role will be to participate in a Coaching Community of Practice. We will work with a partner to run the Communities of Practice at the beginning of the program, but anticipate coaches to take over this space in the longer term.