Initiative Background

CareerBound is the umbrella initiative that houses several training elements for Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) students and graduates including youth apprenticeships, Grads2Careers, and Stackable Credentials. It is a collaborative effort between City Schools, the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED), and Baltimore’s Promise. Baltimore’s Promise, a nonprofit organization, plays a central role in this partnership by advancing data-driven and equity-centered strategies that improve outcomes for youth across the city. 

The Grads2Careers element is an initiative that connects recent City Schools graduates—especially those not immediately pursuing college—with high-quality occupational skills training that leads directly to employment in high-growth industries. Since 2018, Grads2Careers has served over 1,300 young adults, with hundreds of alumni entering Baltimore’s workforce in industries including healthcare, information technology (IT), construction, and more.

The Stackable Credentials initiative builds on Grads2Careers by enabling graduates of occupational skills training programs to earn additional industry-recognized credentials that increase wage potential in their chosen field. 

Beyond technical training, participants in both initiatives also receive case management, wraparound supports, and job placement and retention services.

RFP Context

We believe everyone deserves the chance to advance in their chosen field. By offering a no-cost path to earning stackable credentials, we help young people at the start of their careers access practical, step-by-step training that builds valuable skills, increases earning potential, and leads to industry-recognized certifications. 

This RFP is to identify up to three partners in the fields of healthcare and IT for our first scaled phase of Stackable Credentials under CareerBound. We previously offered a healthcare pilot in 2024. Partners should be dedicated to increasing opportunities for Black, Latinx, and other intersectional youth ages 18–28. We aim to serve 50 students in this first cycle.

Research not only shows that stacking credentials reduces the wage gap between low-income individuals and middle- and high-income individuals (Daugherty et al., 2023; RAND, 2022), but that significant talent gaps exist in both the tech and healthcare fields within Baltimore City: 

Information Technology: More than 4,700 roles are currently open, particularly in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and AI. Many salaries exceed $90,000. (Fourrage, 2025).

Healthcare: Projected need for 13,800 additional registered nurses and 9,200 licensed practical nurses by 2035 to meet statewide demand (Maryland Health Care Workforce Report, 2022).

Stackable credentials can help employees gain the skills needed to step into these roles, help employers fill skilled staffing gaps, and positively impact the region’s economy by keeping local talent local.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) reflects a commitment to workforce readiness, youth development, provider accountability, and equitable funding. 

Awardees will play a vital role in preparing City Schools graduates for high-growth, family-sustaining careers through structured, outcomes-driven training and support.

Selected awardees will recruit, enroll, and support CareerBound participants throughout their training and beyond. As such, ideal candidates will demonstrate their ability to offer occupational skills training, case management, wraparound supports, and job placement and retention services aligned with CareerBound’s mission. 

Successful candidates must also have the ability to provide mandatory enrollment stipends to students, with opportunities for reimbursement on a sliding scale.

Successful applicants will work in close partnership with CareerBound’s core partners to ensure program effectiveness and long-term success for participants.

The five-month operating period runs from February 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026.  There may be an option for renewal depending on performance outcomes and funding availability.

Service Population and Industries

We are seeking occupational skills training providers in the following fields:

• Healthcare

• Information Technology

Stackable Credentials serves 18–28-year-olds who have previously earned an industry-recognized credential in healthcare or IT and currently reside in Baltimore City. Students must provide a copy of their credential(s) to be eligible.

CareerBound is requesting proposals from organizations capable of delivering developmentally- and culturally-appropriate, high-quality occupational skills training tailored to the unique needs of these young adults.

• Ability to offer industry-recognized credentials leading to employment in the healthcare and IT fields.

• 3+ years of experience delivering high-quality workforce development or youth programming for ages 18–28. Applicants can include:

  • workforce training organizations;

  • youth development organizations;

  • public or private institutions of higher education;

  • community development corporations;

  • nonprofit and for-profit entities; 

  • neighborhood-based or faith-based institutions; or

  • any combination of the above.

• A track record of effective case management and wraparound supports that reduce employment barriers (e.g., transportation, mental health and wellness, academic support, childcare, legal services, financial counseling, etc.).

• Capacity and ability to input data and track outcomes in Salesforce, including documentation of credentials and employment (Salesforce training and ongoing technical assistance will be provided to all Awardees).

• Ability to provide mandatory enrollment stipends to students, reimbursable based on a sliding scale (see below for more information).

• Strong relationships with employers and evidence of successful placements (letters of support from at least two employers required).

• High program outcomes with clear plans for post-placement support for students and employers, and retention tracking for a minimum of 12 months; demonstrated ability to meet Stackable Credentials goals: 70% completion of those enrolled, 70% employment placement of completers in the field of training, 70% of those placed have 60-day job retention.

• Understanding and application of positive youth development, race equity, and trauma-informed approaches.

Applicants that do not traditionally serve youth or track employment outcomes must explain how their model is adaptable to meet these expectations. Partnerships between occupational skills training providers and youth development organizations are encouraged.

Training and Curriculum Delivery

Providers must design and deliver tailored occupational skills training programs that are responsive to the specific needs of participating youth and lead to the attainment of one or more industry-recognized credentials.

Providers must engage students early through the intentional delivery of soft skills development, career readiness preparation, and pre-training activities. These opportunities shall be designed to strengthen foundational competencies and confidence prior to or at the onset of occupational training. Programs must incorporate proven or promising models and integrate career readiness components to ensure that participants are fully prepared for training participation and long-term employment success.

Recruitment and Enrollment

Providers will recruit participants in partnership with CareerBound staff and are required to pay all students a mandatory enrollment stipend according to the established stipend structure listed below.

Academic Assessment and Support

All participants must complete the TABE or CASAS assessment. Test scores must be uploaded into Salesforce. CareerBound can support providers with on-site test proctoring. Providers must also ensure access to academic support for students who need additional assistance.

Case Management and Wraparound Supports

Providers must deliver comprehensive case management services, ensuring that all students have access to wraparound supports and barrier-removal resources such as transportation, housing, childcare assistance, and more. Case management notes and support activities must be documented in Salesforce.

Job Placement and Retention Tracking

Providers are responsible for securing job placements in the field of training that offer a family-supporting wage. Employment retention must be tracked at 30, 60, and 90 days, and again at six and twelve months post-placement, with regular updates entered in Salesforce.

Data Management and Participation in Learning Activities

Providers must maintain accurate and timely data entry in Salesforce, documenting program participation, certifications earned, job placement and retention, and case management interactions. Providers are expected to participate in all required meetings and trainings, including but not limited to Salesforce, Positive Youth Development, Race Equity and Inclusion, Mental Health First Aid, and Trauma-Informed Care.

Youth Engagement and Evaluation

Providers must administer entrance and exit surveys to all youth participants and actively promote civic engagement, including voter registration support as needed. 

Branding and Communications Requirements

All contracted providers are expected to acknowledge that their program is part of the CareerBound ecosystem and to reflect this connection in all external communications, materials, and events. This includes, but is not limited to, student recruitment, program marketing, public announcements, media engagement, graduations, and other partner or community-facing activities.

Providers must use the CareerBound logo and adhere to the official branding and messaging guidelines, which will be shared upon award. Programs funded under this RFP should consistently present their work as part of CareerBound and, where applicable, identify alignment with specific CareerBound initiatives such as Stackable Credentials, Grads2Careers, Academic Acceleration, and/or In-School Youth Apprenticeships.

The intent of this requirement is to ensure that all partners communicate a cohesive message about the interconnected nature of CareerBound’s work citywide. Providers are encouraged to collaborate with the CareerBound team to align program and event messaging and to seek review of public-facing materials to ensure consistency with CareerBound’s branding standards.

All proposals must include a comprehensive anticipated budget that shows how you would use your funding from this RFP. It must be completed using Tabs C and E in this Budget Template. Please use the following information to assist your completion of this document.

Payment Structure

This award provides a hybrid model for payment. 

To support project launch, awardees will receive 25% of their total award up front to cover start-up costs. 

Once the initial 25% has been drawn down and documented, subsequent payments will be reimbursed based on submitted invoices and documentation. These documents will be due monthly. Additional information on this process will be provided in the contract process.

Training Payments

Selected program providers will be paid for provided training in a structured, sliding-scale model based on training duration and proof of student attendance. Students must attend a minimum of four full days of substantive credential-aligned training to trigger payment. Program reimbursement per student is as follows:

• 3–6 weeks: $4,000

• 7–11 weeks: $5,000

• 12+ weeks: $6,000

Student Enrollment Stipends

Providers must pay each enrolled student a stipend of no less than $100 per week; higher rates may be offered at the provider’s discretion in alignment with their budget. Stipend payments shall be determined solely by enrollment status and not by participation or attendance. Students must receive the stipend as long as they continue to meet the program’s enrollment requirements. Reimbursement for stipend payments will be provided at a flat rate of $100 per enrolled student per week, based on the total length of the program:

• 3–6 weeks: $300–$600

• 7–11 weeks: $700–$1,100

• 12+ weeks: $1,200+ total stipend (should be $100 x actual number of weeks)

When entering your budget within the budget template, you should include both your training payment total and student enrollment stipends. For example, if your training is eight weeks, your cost per participant would be $5,000 plus $800 in stipends for a total of $5,800. There is a section in the budget sheet for mandatory enrollment stipends; additional stipends beyond $100 must be built into your budget separately.

Additional considerations for your budget:

• All budgets must disclose funding sources leveraged currently, or in the past (within the last five fiscal years), to support the cost-per-participant amount, and the average percentage of the cost-per-participant amount supported by each funding source (there is space for this information in Tab C of the Budget Template). This funding may not replace other funding.

• Training start dates for the full program cycle must be submitted in advance (modifications allowed with notice).

• Mid-cycle budget changes require prior approval. Participant costs cannot be adjusted mid-cycle.

• Compliance with documentation submission for billing and credential/employment tracking standards is required.

• Providers will be required to submit monthly invoices accompanied by supporting documentation and an updated Budget Template.

Response Document

In a single document no longer than six pages, please address the following questions and prompts.

Organizational overview, including, but not limited to:

1. Organizational mission.

2. Years of total operation and number of years operating high-quality, workforce development models and/or youth development programs for youth ages 18–28.

3. How does your mission/vision/work align with the values and components of Stackable Credentials and CareerBound?

   a. How do you ensure your training is youth-centered? How do you ensure a positive youth development and trauma-informed approach to your training and support services?

   b. How do you incorporate racial equity and cultural competence into your program design?

   c. What qualifications and experience make your staff well-equipped to meet this proposal’s requirements and effectively serve participating youth?

   d. Does your organization have experience with Salesforce or other data management tools?

Training program information, including, but not limited to:

1. A summary of your program and a description of the industry-recognized credential(s) students will earn.

   a. How do you ensure your training is aligned with industry standards? What initial credential(s) are required for youth to participate?

   b. How do you incorporate career readiness and coaching and soft skills training into your programming?

   c. What is the rationale for offering this program and credential option? For example, what is the market demand for individuals credentialed through the training you offer?

2. Training details

   a. Cohort size—what is the minimum and maximum number of individuals you are able to serve at one time?

   b. Training duration in weeks.

   c. Weekly training schedule and time commitment for students: How many days each week must they attend? How many hours per day? Are all classes held at the same time each week? What time of day? For example, classes may be held twice a week for four hours with a choice to attend in the morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or the evening from 4 to 8 p.m.

   d. Location of program.

   e. Ratio of instructional and program staff to participants.

   f. A summary of staff functions.

3. Existing track record:

   a. Provide evidence of strong completion and employment outcomes

   1. Alignment with stackable credential goals (70% completion of those enrolled, 70% employment placement of completers in the field of training, 70% of those placed have 60-day retention).

   2. Include your plans for post-placement support for students and employers and for retention tracking for a minimum of 12 months.

   3. Overview of existing and past employer partners, including name of employer, number of youth placements (ages 18–28), and employment retention rates.

   b. How do you define and measure the success of your program?

   1. Please provide at least one student story that reflects your definition of success.

   2. Please provide information on software, surveys, or other tools you use to track and measure success.

4. Are there any program stipends or incentives available to students above and beyond the $100 weekly enrollment stipend minimum?

Case management information, including, but not limited to:

1. Description of case management supports—what do youth have access to, how frequently, and how do they know they can make use of these resources and supports?

2. Structure of case management supports:

   a. Is this a contracted function or in-house? If contracted, please also answer the following:

   1. Describe the service requirements of your contract.

   2. List existing partnerships. Include an explanation of the services each provider is contracted for.

   b. What is the case manager to participant ratio?

3. Evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of your case management model.

4. Description of goal or career planning that you do with participants (and a sample template if used); this can be uploaded as a supporting document and is not included in the six-page narrative response.

5. Amount of time following graduation that the program offers 1) case management support and 2) employment placement and retention support, inclusive of employment tracking. One year of follow-up and retention services are required for all selected providers.

Participant Success Profile

As part of the proposal, providers must include a Participant Success Profile that clearly describes the qualities, attributes, and baseline competencies that contribute to participant success within their program. This information will help CareerBound better match young people to training and credentialing opportunities and ensure alignment across the broader ecosystem.

The Participant Success Profile should address, at minimum:

1. The typical characteristics or indicators of participants who have successfully completed the program or earned the associated credential (e.g., attendance patterns, engagement, prior academic preparation, or soft skills).

2. Any specific eligibility requirements or prerequisites for enrollment (e.g., minimum reading or math levels, age, prior coursework and/or credentials, drug tests, medical vaccinations, or background checks).

3. The minimum performance or assessment thresholds required to pass or earn certification, and how these standards are communicated to students.

4. The strategies your program uses to ensure that young people can meet these requirements—such as pre-training supports, tutoring, academic skill development, or accommodations.

5. The data or methods you use to identify and measure participant success (e.g., completion, credential attainment, employment, retention).

The Participant Success Profile will not be used to exclude participants but to support informed referrals, shared understanding of readiness, and equitable access across all CareerBound programs.

Supporting Documents

1. Program budget (including average cost per participant). Please complete Tabs C and E of this Budget Template.

2. Organizational budget.

3. Certificate of Good Standing with Baltimore City and the State of Maryland, issued within the past calendar year.

4. Most recent audited financial statement (from within the last 12 months).

5. For non-profit organizations only: IRS Form 990.

6. Two or more letters of support from employer partners verifying their commitment to hiring program graduates.

7. Letter(s) of Commitment from or MOU(s) with partner organizations that will support this specific program, if applicable.

8. An existing flyer, advertisement, or recruitment materials for your program.

Responses to this RFP are to be submitted electronically through this online form: CareerBound Stackable Credentials RFP.

Responses must be submitted no later than December 10, 2025, by 5 p.m. ET. Late submissions will not be considered.

Each proposal will be reviewed by a panel of stakeholders, including youth. The review panel reserves the right to deem any incomplete proposal ineligible for review. Please closely follow the guidance in the application to ensure that your application fully addresses RFP requirements; respondents may be asked to provide additional information on proposals.

Please note that Baltimore’s Promise will not reimburse organizations for costs related to preparing their RFP response.

‍All responses must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on December 10, 2025.

Program Design & Alignment | 25 Points

Clear, innovative, and youth-centered training design aligned with one or more priority sectors; developmentally fit for 18–28-year-olds; embedded soft skills training and career coaching.

Equity & Youth Development Approach | 15 Points

Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, positive youth development, and trauma-informed care; culturally competent support services.

Outcomes & Impact | 20 Points

Historical outcomes meet/exceed benchmarks (Initiative Goals: 70% completion, 70% employment placement in field of training, 70% retention at 60 days); solid plan for tracking employment outcomes and providing follow-up services for a minimum of 12 months.

Employer Partnerships | 10 Points

At least two letters of support from employers; strong relationships demonstrated; realistic job placement plans in relevant field(s).

Capacity & Experience | 15 Points

Experience working with youth or young adults; past performance on similar projects; readiness to recruit and support participants.

Data & Evaluation | 10 Points

Capacity to use Salesforce or comparable data management tool for case management and reporting; clear plan to document and report outcomes.

Budget & Stipend Model | 5 Points

Realistic, cost-effective budget; adherence to mandatory enrollment stipend structure; leveraged funds encouraged.

Total Possible Score: 100

Bonus: Innovation and Collaboration | Up To 5 Points

Strong partnerships with youth-serving organizations or innovative training approaches that can scale.