Back to IYI.org
Advisory Committee Managing Committee
Telemedicine & Virtual Mental Health Services
Emerging Leaders of Color
Grant Opportunities Grant Resources
Events
Explore Topics
College & Career Readiness

As the demand for careers with post-secondary credentials continues to increase, starting college and career interventions early in a child’s life is essential. IYI’s College & Career Readiness Initiatives support individuals and institutions in their work to ensure all Indiana young people are prepared and positioned for success in their post-secondary educational journey.

LEARN MORE
Professional Education

We offer professional education opportunities to expand your knowledge through webinars, conferences, onsite training, and virtual events that connect you to peers around the state.

LEARN MORE
Youth Data

Indiana Youth Institute aggregates reliable, high-quality data and resources from state and national sources for youth workers and organizations working together to improve the lives of all Indiana children, especially those facing the greatest adversity.

Click on a topic below to explore.

Learn more
Child Welfare
Demographics
Economic Well-Being
Education
Health
Youth Organization Support

We support organizations to advance their work each day through practical and innovative approaches to increasing capacity, efficiency, and impact.

LEARN MORE
Youth Worker Well-Being

The Youth Worker Well-Being Project is a collaborative statewide effort to address individual youth worker well-being, workplace conditions, and root causes of stress in the sector to promote comprehensive change in youth workers and invest in their well-being so they can provide the highest quality services for kids.

LEARN MORE

Request for Proposals

Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) seeks one or more consulting partners to support structured research, planning, and stakeholder engagement process to inform the development of a second phase for the Youth Worker Well-Being Project. 

The purpose of this engagement is to: 

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of youth worker well-being in Indiana 
  • Identify root causes and system-level drivers impacting workforce well-being and sustainability 
  • Surface innovative and transformational strategies that could significantly improve youth worker well-being statewide 
  • Provide the research foundation and strategic framework necessary to inform the development of phase 2. 

Download the Request for Proposal PDF for full details and submission requirements.

Request for Proposal PDF
(0.12mb)

FAQs

Questions about the proposal process were to be submitted by April 16, 2026. All questions received with their responses are published below.

What is the RFP Timeline?

Question Submission
Deadline

April 16, 2026 

Proposal Deadline

May 4, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET

Finalist Notifications

May 29, 2026

Project Kickoff

July 6, 2026
Do items like cover page, cover letter, table of contents, and resume count towards the 10 page limit?

The intent of the ten (10) page limit is to assess the consultant’s approach to the work. Cover letters and a moderate number of attachments can be submitted beyond the ten (10) page limit.

Approximately how many youth workers are in Indiana and is it anticipated they all be included in the survey process?

We estimate there are approximately 60,000 youth workers and 5,000 youth-serving organizations in Indiana. Given the size of the sector, we anticipate that the survey process will rely on statistically significant sampling rather than including every youth worker in the state.

Is the audience for the proposal solely youth organizations and leaders? If not, who else may be included?

The intended beneficiaries of the project are youth workers and youth-serving organizations in Indiana. Proposals may consider input from related stakeholders as appropriate, provided the primary focus remains on supporting youth workers and the organizations that employs them.

What is the age bracket for the group served for this particular proposal? Is it 5-18? Expanded to the 16-24 age bracket? Other?

The project focuses on youth-serving professionals and organizations that provide services to youth. The project does not provide direct services to youth.

How much of the actual proposed research beyond methodologies should be included in the proposal? Should an outline of categories/questions be included or will they be gathered with primary research and leadership input?

Prospective consultants should submit a proposed process and methodology for the research. This may include sample or proposed research questions or categories. The Managing Committee anticipates providing guidance and input into the final research questions as part of the project.

Should organizations that will be included in the research to be named in the proposal?

The Managing Committee is committed to ensuring participation from a diverse range of organizations, including variation by size, geography, and service type and will support the selected contractor in co-creating the list of participating organizations.

Will the selected contractor have access to distribution lists to disseminate surveys, focus group invitations, etc.? If no lists exist, will IYI assist with gathering contacts or will it be the responsibility of the selected contractor?

The Youth Worker Well-Being Project maintains a robust list of contacts that will be leveraged for this purpose.

Is the proposal to focus primarily on youth worker and workplace well-being? If so, can we still address the many factors that affect the health of youth in the workplace (i.e. mental health, social media, etc)?

Yes, the proposal should focus primarily on youth worker and workplace well-being. The project uses a broad definition of well-being, including physical, emotional, social, intellectual, environmental, occupational, and financial dimensions. Proposals may address factors that influence well-being within the workplace context.

The RFP references plans to apply for grant funding for future phases of the Youth Worker Well-Being Project. Does IYI anticipate seeking funding from the State of Indiana or other government agencies? And does IYI currently receive any funding from these sources?

Indiana Youth Institute does not currently receive any funding from the State of Indiana. We are open to exploring any and all funding sources that align with the mission and goals of the project. The current phase of the project is funded entirely through private funding.