Several parent volunteers meet "as needed" to read and review proposals submitted to Meriden's Children First requesting funding for specific programs or activities in line with CFI's vision and mission. Parents then make recommendations on whether or not to fund the proposal or make requests for additional information before decisions are reached. The facilitator takes responsibility to recruit parents, training them in how to evaluate a proposal, and then support them during the decision-making process.

The goal of the RFP committee was to involve parents in determining what programs are best for the community. The RFP committee displayed the desire of CFI to have parent involvement and leadership roles in CFI.

The RFP committee was initiated in the spring of 1996. It was convened on an "as needed" basis. CFI provided postage, copies of proposals, snacks, childcare and transportation stipends when needed. No other funding was required.

Parents volunteer for this task because they have an interest in this activity. They add a "parent perspective" and knowledge of what would meet the needs of most parents.

The RFP committee is easy to sustain as long as interested parents are available. Very few costs are involved. It is a low-cost, yet effective way to get parents involved.

Recruiting parents can sometimes be difficult. Coordinating training sessions and discussion groups to review findings proved challenging for setting dates agreeable to all. However, no agency that submitted a proposal ever had a question or concern with the decisions of the parents — and not all proposals were funded!

The community saw a new role for parents. Parents had serious input to programs being prepared for their children and other families. The community agencies listened to the "voices" of the parents and planned accordingly. More people collaborated to improve the educational and life outcomes for all children.