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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEquity Indicators and Gaps Analysis_TPMA Response • Project Contact: Krystal Gibson (574) 303-2874 kgibson@tpma-inc.com Presented to: CITY OF BOZEMAN Proposal for: EQUITY INDICATORS AND GAPS ANALYSIS PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 1 Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 Firm Profile & Personnel .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Experience ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Scope of Proposal ........................................................................................................................................................ 15 Budget .............................................................................................................................................................................. 22 References....................................................................................................................................................................... 23 PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Thomas P. Miller and Associates, LLC (TPMA) is pleased to provide the attached proposal to the City of Bozeman in response to the Request for Proposals for a consultant to design equity indicators and conduct a gaps analysis. At TPMA, we use data-driven insights to inform recommendations that can achieve real change. We leverage our own organization’s diversity and expertise to ensure assessment excellence in design, execution, and analysis, and we have worked collaboratively with clients through DEI transition and growth. We assess diversity, equity, and inclusion via the domains of leadership and governance, organizational culture, operations, communications, partnerships, and program evaluation. We would welcome the opportunity to partner with you and your community to better understand where inequities exist and for whom. As a firm we continue to learn and grow as we complete projects with our clients. We have conducted several community needs assessments that include gap analyses, poverty studies, and outreach to hard-to-reach populations, and have done work designing equitable policies and procedures. At TPMA we engage with both a top-down and bottom-up approach to our assessments. By ensuring those that are most impacted have their stories shared and insights gathered in an authentic and respectful manner, we can help highlight inequities that often get overlooked by a traditional top-down approach. We know community members’ voices matter and they know their cities better than an outside entity ever will, and so it is vital they are included, not only so the process is equitable but also because their insights are imperative to the success of the project. We also ensure policy makers are at the table and can learn, grow, and connect through the framework that is designed. Without including policy makers and building support from those with influence, recommendations and actionable items that come from the analysis may not be implemented. At TPMA we want to ensure that not only do you have a final deliverable that promotes equity and access in your City, but that the process of analyzing inequities and working with community members furthers your City’s journey to having more equitable practices and supports. PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 3 FIRM PROFILE & PERSONNEL Firm Profile Established in 1989, Thomas P. Miller & Associates, LLC provides comprehensive consulting services throughout the United States and internationally, working with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, communities, local and state governments, and industry associations. Our firm empowers organizations and communities through strategic partnerships and data-informed solutions that create positive, sustainable change. TPMA envisions a world that thinks strategically, works collaboratively, and acts sustainably. Working toward that vision, we have provided clients with a range of services to design, develop, evaluate, and implement effective programs. We are centrally located in Indianapolis, Indiana and have an associate office located in Youngstown, Ohio. TPMA currently has 43 employees across the firm. In 2019, TPMA had an annual revenue of $5.2 million dollars. Building on 30 years of national consulting experience, TPMA designs comprehensive DEI and cultural initiatives that optimize processes and build cultures that empower diverse communities and populations. We develop strategic DEI plans, review and revamp organizational policies and programs, facilitate workshops and training sessions, and advise executive leadership on increasing cultural competence among staff and stakeholders. We bridge essential DEI, culture, training, and implementation strategies using a customized, data-driven approach to support organizations of all sizes moving towards a workplace that reflects the innovative potential of all employees, understands implicit bias, and strives for equitable outcomes. Personnel TPMA develops highly qualified project teams customized specifically for each project. TPMA considers staff expertise and availability when building teams and ensures adequate and consistent staffing throughout the duration of a project by using individual staff capacity tracking and projecting. For this project, TPMA brings together a team of consultants with a depth of knowledge and experience in community-wide data collection, analysis, data-informed decision making, stakeholder engagement and partnerships, and most importantly, strategic planning for diversity equity, and inclusion. TPMA proposes a team spearheaded by a Project Lead with extensive expertise in DEI and social justice, supported by a Project Manager with extensive experience in project management and organizational design, a Strategic Advisor with expertise in equity and data-driven best practices, and a Community Engagement Specialist and Data Analyst with expertise in stakeholder engagement, mixed-methods research, and equitable practices. Project Lead: Megan Wagner-Ingram, Director of DEI and Business Partnerships MMgt // Megan will serve as Project Lead, overseeing the quality and design of all deliverables to ensure they meet the project’s objectives, are relevant for the audience, and address the client’s needs. As TPMA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director, Megan will help to shape this planning process PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 4 and ensure that a DEI lens is brought to each element of the project. She will design and review the project plan, planning documents, and final deliverables as they are completed to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are centered throughout the project. Project Manager: Krystal Gibson, Project Associate, MSW// Project Manager and main point of contact for this project, ensuring that deadlines are met and managing the overall process for the project. Krystal is a member of TPMA’s internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and has helped the Evaluation Team develop an equitable practices for how data is collected and analyzed. Krystal leverages her previous work with various stakeholders and her experience in survey design and analysis to support data collection and informed decision-making. She has worked on a variety of project components, including completing needs assessments, analyzing survey results, and presenting best practices. Her passion for serving the community drives her work. Krystal holds a Master of Social Work degree. Contact information: Phone: (574) 303-2874, Email: kgibson@tpma-inc.com Address: 1630 N Meridian St # 430, Indianapolis, IN 46202 Analyst: Ellen Soyka, Project Consultant, MA // Ellen will serve as the Analyst on this project and use her DEI knowledge and research expertise to examine policies through an equity lens and make thoughtful recommendations. She will provide writing and editing support for all aspects of the project. Ellen uses mixed qualitative and quantitative methods to find nuanced answers to complicated questions, staying up to date on international policy and evidence-based best practices. Before joining TPMA, Ellen conducted policy research in the field of human rights on topics like violence against women, institutional racism, and international property law. She holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies concentrating on Human Rights & International Law. Strategic Advisor: Steven Gause, Senior Project Consultant, MPA // Steven is a Senior Project Consultant at TPMA with a decade of direct service experience in workforce and economic development. He specializes in strategy development, maximizing performance, comprehensive business services, and building relationships with a shared sense of purpose. He joins TPMA after working in New York City government for 8 years. Steven has Master of Public Administration in Social Policy Management. Steven will use his expertise to serve as a Strategic Advisor on this project. Engagement Specialist: Joely Pope, Project Consultant, MPA, MAAA // Joely will utilize her experience with organizational capacity building, enhancing stakeholder buy in, and community engagement to serve as the engagement specialist. She will help design the process and ensure participation from a variety of stakeholders. She is skilled at leveraging relationships with partners to gather necessary information about organizational and community needs. Joely will also draw upon her graduate experience to provide additional insight to this project; she has a Master of Public Affairs degree with a Nonprofit Concentration and a Master of Arts degree in Arts Administration. PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 5 MEGAN WAGNER INGRAM Director – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; and Business Partnerships EDUCATION Master of Management University of Phoenix Bachelor of Science, History Youngstown State University Megan plays a dual role with Thomas P. Miller and Associates as a Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Business Partnerships. Megan specializes in diversity, equity and inclusion strategic planning and training with an emphasis on guiding employers. She has been actively involved in projects focused on the knowledge of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) DEI principles and practices supporting the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE). She also is working with the Manufacturing Institute, to create a Diversity and Inclusion Playbook, interviewing 20 large manufacturing companies, learning their best practices, and converting them into case studies. In addition, Megan is an Apprenticeship Ambassador to support Governor Tom Wolf’s PA Smart Apprenticeship initiative to increase registered apprenticeship programs throughout Pennsylvania’s Northwest Region. Because of her work with PA Smart, Megan was invited to facilitate a training for the District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund / Greater Philadelphia Healthcare Partnership to support their Early Childhood Education program as an expert on registered apprenticeships, diversity, inclusion, and supporting underrepresented populations. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Manufacturing Institute Diversity & Inclusion Best Practices Playbook Washington, DC District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund / Greater Philadelphia Healthcare Partnership Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Project Lead Atlanta, Georgia Erie Regional Manufacturer Partnership (ERMP) Project Manager Erie, Pennsylvania PA Smart Registered Apprenticeship Ambassador Network Project Manager Northwest Pennsylvania Region Greater Oh-Penn Manufacturing Apprenticeship Network Technical Assistance and Leadership PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 6 KRYSTAL GIBSON Project Associate -Project Manager EDUCATION Master of Social Work Indiana University Bachelor of Social Work Ball State University TRAINING/CERTIFICATION Protecting Human Research Participants Certified Krystal leverages her background in Social Work, assessing community needs and presenting best practices through data- driven decision making and incorporating stakeholders’ voices throughout the process. Krystal conducts a variety of qualitative and quantitative data analyses in evaluation projects, including facilitating focus groups and interviews and analyzing population data. Prior to joining TPMA, Krystal worked as a Research Assistant at Indiana University Public Policy Institute, researching best practices on housing needs for re-entrants. Additionally, Krystal has experience working in community-based services specifically involving juvenile justice, individuals in poverty, and mental health. Her passion for serving the community drives her work. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Wayne Metro Community Action Agency Community Needs Assessment Wayne County, Michigan University of Central Missouri U.S. Department of Education Title III Missouri Grads of Life Opportunity Youth Evaluation Nationwide Career Ladders for Green Jobs CT Department of Labor Connecticut Central Indiana Community Foundation Love of Reading Grant Evaluation Indianapolis, IN Vincennes University Lilly Endowment Comprehensive Counseling Grant Indiana South Harrison Community School Corporation Lilly Endowment Comprehensive Counseling Grant Indiana Indianapolis Public Schools Lilly Endowment Comprehensive Counseling Grant Indiana Ivy Tech Community College  Financial Aid Assessment  Indiana (Statewide)  PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 7 ELLEN SOYKA Project Consultant EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts, International Studies (Human Rights & International Law) Indiana University Master of Arts, International Studies (Human Rights & International Law) Indiana University Ellen Soyka is a Project Consultant on TPMA’s Workforce Solutions team who specializes in interdisciplinary qualitative research and writing. With a focus on racial equity, education, housing, and women’s rights, Ellen has primarily contributed through research, writing, and copyediting, using content analysis, legal analysis, critical theory, comparative policy analysis, census demographics, and occupational data to write strategic plans, grants, and comparative case studies. Before joining TPMA, Ellen worked with local nonprofits, international advocacy organizations, and research institutions, serving vulnerable populations, organizing development initiatives, and conducting policy research in the field of human rights on topics like violence against women and institutional racism. A graduate of Indiana University, Ellen holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies (Human Rights & International Law) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies with minors in International/Comparative Education, Spanish, and Music. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists DEI Policy Review and Trainings National Area 10 WDB Outreach to Minority-Owned Businesses and African American Men Jobseekers Richland & Crawford Counties, OH Eleven Fifty Academy Grant Assistance/Program Expansion Assistance Indianapolis, Indiana Indiana Philanthropy Alliance Board of Directors Strategic Plan Indiana Hamilton County Commissioners State of the Workforce Report: Affordable Housing & Public Transportation Hamilton County, Indiana City of Elkhart Economic Diversification Plan Elkhart, Indiana Vincennes University CTE Early College Comparative Case Study Report Vincennes, Indiana The Manufacturing Institute FAME National Expansion Washington D.C. PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 8 STEVEN GAUSE Senior Project Consultant - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion EDUCATION Master of Public Administration, Social Policy Management Long Island University Brooklyn, School of Business, Public Administration, and Information Sciences Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, Journalism and Strategic Media University of Memphis, College of Communication and Fine Arts Steven is a Senior Project Consultant at TPMA with a decade of direct service experience in workforce and economic development. He specializes in DEI strategy development, maximizing performance, comprehensive business services, and building relationships with a shared sense of purpose. He joins TPMA after living and working in New York City government for 8 years. He provided borough-wide strategic leadership of sales, new business development, and account management for the Bronx Workforce 1 Career System. Using a demand driven business engagement strategy, his team made 3,100 direct job placements per contract year. In addition, Steven has spent time working in economic development by managing NYC’s most robust Industrial Business Zone--providing an array of direct business services to 2,000+ business owners in waterfront neighborhoods. He assisted clients with developing business attraction and retention models, gaining access to capital, industrial and commercial real estate, and accessing city, state, and federal tax incentives designed to expand business. Most recently, he worked with the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development providing strategic business services for the Southwest Region. Steven is passionate about seeing jobseekers advance along a career pathway and working at the intersection of workforce and economic development. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists DEI Policy Review and Trainings National Manufacturing Institute DEI Playbook Washington, DC Wilson Management Firm Director of Operations New York, NY Area 10 WDB Outreach to Minority-Owned Businesses and African American Men Jobseekers Richland & Crawford Co. OH Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Business Services Southwest Region Nashville, TN Rescare Workforce Services Borough Director of Sales & Business Development New York, NY Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corp Industrial Business Services Manager New York, NY PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 9 JOELY POPE Project Consultant –Engagement Specialist EDUCATION Master of Public Affairs, Nonprofit Concentration Indiana University Master of Arts in Arts Administration Indiana University Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs, Nonprofit Management, Legal Studies Indiana University TRAINING/CERTIFICATION Protecting Human Research Participants Certified Joely has spent eight years studying and working in the nonprofit sector and understands the complexity of building capacity within nonprofit and community organizations. Joely uses her experience to enhance projects that interact with the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. She has experience managing community-based projects and is skilled at leveraging relationships with partners to gather necessary information about community and organizational needs. She is a skilled facilitator and particularly excels at utilizing her project management and relationship building experience to improve stakeholder buy-in and engagement throughout the lifespan of a project. She is an experienced grant writer; over the last year she has worked with more than fifteen organizations to strengthen grant applications and develop funding resources. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Community Foundation Alliance Community Needs Assessment and Planning for the Lilly Endowment Community Leadership Grant Initiative Southwest Indiana Marshall County Community Foundation Community Needs Assessment and Planning for the Lilly Endowment Community Leadership Grant Initiative Marshall County, Indiana Central Indiana Community Foundation Facilitation of Opportunity Youth Collaborative Indianapolis, IN Region 10 Workforce Board Resource Development Southern Indiana Indiana Philanthropy Alliance Strategic Plan Indiana Goodwill of Kentucky, Inc Grant Writing Kentucky Legacy Foundation Community Needs Assessment and Planning for the Lilly Endowment Community Leadership Grant Initiative Northwest Indiana Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Veterans Higher Education Affinity Group Evaluation Illinois Hope Training Academy Grant Writing Indiana PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 10 EXPERIENCE TPMA has a breadth of experience in community needs assessments, strategic planning, comprehensive analysis, policy review and recommendations, diversity and inclusion awareness- building, training, and stakeholder engagement through rigorous mixed- approaches that include focus groups, anonymous surveys, best practices recommendations, and culture evolution. Data-Informed Community-wide Efforts to Advance Equity TPMA approaches each project with the understanding that our work is only as good as it is useful. TPMA strives to uncover the root causes of issues to develop thorough and informed recommendations. When recommending changes to systems and practices, TPMA’s team understands that equitable practices are best practices. Below are relevant projects in which TPMA was able to partner with organizations to provide data-informed recommendations. City of Portsmouth Virginia: Poverty Study TPMA conducted a study on poverty for the City of Portsmouth, Virginia and put forth implementable recommendations for the City Council to consider. For this project, TPMA researched secondary data on poverty-related needs specific to the City’s region; facilitated public forums and public meetings; and developed recommendations for next steps. TPMA worked with Portsmouth’s Planning Department, City Manager’s Office, and a variety of community stakeholders to collect data and develop the report. The report included information about poverty and its effects in Portsmouth; an overview of Portsmouth’s current poverty prevention, alleviation, and research efforts; reviews of other cities’ efforts to address poverty; findings regarding the causes and correlations of poverty gathered through public input; recommendations for the Portsmouth City Council; and highlights of priority census tracts within Portsmouth experiencing high rates of poverty. Hamilton County: State of the Workforce Study Culminating in a 2019 State of the Workforce Report, TPMA’s work with Hamilton County Indiana, a primarily affluent and white county outside of Indianapolis, applied an equity lens to strategic planning, community analysis, and stakeholder engagement. To give an overview of the education and workforce system in the area, TPMA created a comprehensive education, training, and business asset map, identified in-demand occupations, and described the area’s labor market and demographic information. TPMA’s team then conducted multi-industry focus groups and key stakeholder interviews to identify the county’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) related to education and workforce. Using relevant case studies and a comparative policy analysis, the team provided a “menu” of policy recommendations related to equitable hiring practices, attracting and retaining specific populations (such as veterans, young people, and people with less than a bachelor’s degree), affordable housing, and public transportation in the county. Together, these policy recommendations formed a cohesive plan for the county to be a PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 11 better place to live and work for more people, offering a diverse range of options for training, jobs, housing, community type, and transportation. Metropolitan Action Commission: 2Gen Evaluation TPMA utilizes a mixed-methods approach in our work to ensure data is valid and representative of each source. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data provides a solid foundation for community organizations to make impactful and sustainable change. For example, TPMA conducted an evaluation of the Metropolitan Action Commission’s (MAC) three-year 2Gen and Whole Family Initiative pilot in Nashville, Tennessee. TPMA used qualitative and quantitative data to explore the impacts of the 2Gen and Whole Family programming, as well as identify best practices and lessons learned through program implementation. This mixed-methods evaluation incorporated data collected through participant surveys and focus groups, and interviews with key program staff and leadership, in addition to existing program data. Findings and recommendations were used to inform MAC programming to improve parent and child outcomes to affect generational change. In addition to TPMA’s experience analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data we also facilitate sessions that guide stakeholders through the analysis process to allow them to make data-informed decisions utilizing the data we have gathered. Ethical Data Governance TPMA has a breadth of experience working with a variety of organizations to collect, clean, and analyze data. In almost all of our projects, TPMA works to help organizations improve their data collection activities in order to increase data-informed decision making. Highlighted below are project examples that exemplify TPMA’s experience with qualitative and quantitative data cleaning and analysis, our analytical and communication skills, and our commitment to ensuring the data collection process does not inadvertently perpetuate further inequities. In addition to collecting and analyzing data, TPMA also trains other organizations on how to develop performance measures and collect data. Southeastern Economic and Education Leadership Consortium: TAACCCT Grant TPMA conducted a four-year implementation evaluation of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant for the Southeastern Economic and Education Leadership Consortium (SEELC) of six colleges across Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida. The SEELC TAACCCT grant focused on program enhancements in advanced manufacturing, machining, and welding with the goal of creating a talent-pipeline for local industry. The implementation evaluation measured fidelity to the original model, contexts around shifts in implementation of the targeted program, partner and student perceptions, and state- level policies that affected program implementation. To conduct a descriptive analysis of program implementation and the contextual factors influencing implementation, TPMA cleaned qualitative data generated from interviews and placed data into a matrix listing response by interview question (row) and college/program role (column). Program roles included grant staff, grant instructors, consortium leadership, college staff, and students. Based on student responses, TPMA identified key words and listed them in the appropriate column and row. TPMA then grouped key PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 12 words across colleges, programs, and roles to identify commonalities and differences. Furthermore, responses associated with key words were identified as positive, negative, or neutral to assist in identifying perceived successes and challenges. Serve Indiana: Training and Technical Assistance For two years, TPMA worked with Serve Indiana to provide training and technical assistance to a total of 20 AmeriCorps State and National programs. The primary purpose of this project was to help Serve Indiana, and their recipient State and National programs, demonstrate the impact of the AmeriCorps program through accurate logic models and performance measures, and rigorous data collection methods. To ensure staff from all programs had similar foundations, TPMA provided successive large group trainings on identifying the best data collection tools, signs of high-quality data, and how to utilize research and best practices for continuous improvement. One-on-one consultations with program staff were conducted to refine logic models, performance metrics, and evaluation plans. TPMA also assisted in identifying new and refined methods for collecting the necessary data. Conducting Inclusive Public Engagement TPMA has experience analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data and working with organizations and communities seeking to make data-informed decisions about their policies and programs. Our team members have strong skills in survey development and analysis, focus group facilitation, and collecting primary data from vulnerable populations. TPMA works with our clients to design experiences and conduct research that engages the public in a way that is inclusive and respectful. Berks County: Disconnected Young Adult Study TPMA conducted a research study of disconnected young adults in Berks County, Pennsylvania, which includes the city of Reading. TPMA gathered data to identify the causes of becoming and remaining unemployed and out of school, as well as how these young adults access services and make ends meet. TPMA worked with the Workforce Development Board, the local United Way, and a coalition of local community-based service organizations to reach the disconnected youth. For this study, TPMA developed accessible, easy-to-read surveys for young adults and friends or family members of young adults. Both surveys were available in English and Spanish in both online and paper copies form. The final deliverable is available here. Goodwill Central Texas: Stakeholder Engagement TPMA is adept at facilitating stakeholder conversations regarding program development and improvement efforts. For example, TPMA worked with Goodwill Central Texas to gather feedback from various stakeholders including community partners, donors, and funders to inform Goodwill Central Texas on stakeholder perceptions of their mission, impact, and future endeavors. TPMA interviewed 30 external stakeholders and analyzed the data from these interviews and provided Goodwill of Central Texas with a detailed report that included areas of strength, perceived PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 13 challenges, and areas for improvement. This report was presented to Goodwill’s Senior and Executive teams to provide them with information to help drive their strategic planning process. Gap Analysis We leverage our own organization’s diversity and expertise to ensure assessment excellence in design, execution and analysis and we have worked collaboratively with clients through DEI transition and growth. We assess diversity, equity, and inclusion via the domains of fund allocation, leadership and governance, organizational culture, operations, communications, partnerships, and program evaluation. Almost all of our community needs assessments involve a gap analysis to better understand where there are gaps in service and what can be recommended to fill those gaps based on organizational capacity. City Schools of Decatur: Needs Assessment In 2017, TPMA completed a needs assessment for the City Schools of Decatur, Georgia, which focused specifically on educational equity. The assessment sought to identify gaps in educational equity across the district from various stakeholders’ perspectives. Through focus groups, interviews, and surveys, nearly 2,000 students, parents, teachers, principals, district staff, and leadership were engaged in the needs assessment process. Preliminary findings and regular updates were provided to School Board members and TPMA provided the district with recommendations to increase educational equity, grounded in best practices, which were used to develop the district’s equity action plan.   Community Foundation Alliance: Community Needs Assessment and Grant Development TPMA worked with The Community Foundation Alliance (the Alliance), a consortium of nine Community Foundations in Southwest Indiana, to engage their boards and communities in identifying the greatest challenges and opportunities for each of their nine counties. To gather input TPMA facilitated eight community forums and three board forums. At the forums TPMA presented information on the key issues for the region, then led participants in a prioritization exercise to identify the top two issues. One of the questions participants were asked to discuss about the topics was “what gaps in service exist”? TPMA provided the following probing questions to help the conversations continue • Where do people fall through cracks in the system (i.e., people not being served by the current system, benefits cliff, creating a cycle of service and dropping out)? • What assets should exist in the community, but don’t (e.g., capacity, resources, partnerships)? • Are there geographical gaps in service? TPMA provided feedback on suggestions and challenged participants to think critically about the additional topics; navigating the difficult task between making participants feel heard and not allowing the loudest voices to be the only drivers of discussion. TPMA analyzed the results from PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 14 the focus groups and presented the findings to each of the nine Boards and facilitated discussions to help each Board choose their priority topic. TPMA then helped each of the nine Boards work with local nonprofits to fund initiatives that would meet the needs of their county. TPMA then worked with the Alliance to develop a grant application for each county to secure funding for projects that connected to their priority topic; TPMA provided feedback on their ideas and helped refine the project ideas. The Washington County Local Management Board: Disconnected Youth Program Recommendations and Service Gap Analysis The Washington County, Maryland Local Management Board contracted TPMA to develop program recommendations to serve the disconnected young adult population in the county, or those ages 18-24 who are neither employed nor in school. To understand the needs of this population, TPMA conducted a survey of disconnected young adults and their family and friends to assess barriers to accessing services, causes of disconnection, and what assistance would be most beneficial. Additionally, TPMA conducted focus groups and interviews with the population and supplemented primary data collection with a thorough review of secondary population and labor force data. TPMA used the information gathered to research evidence-based practices to recommend to the Local Management Board and provided an asset map and service gap analysis. DEI Lens and Framework TPMA understands the importance of embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices into all areas of the company and our work, and we are currently enhancing the efforts of our DEI Committee to continuously improve these practices across the company. TPMA values participatory approaches, engaging community members and those affected most by programs to ensure their voices are being heard and measuring the impact of provided services. With this, TPMA believes it is imperative to approach every project with a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and engage diverse groups to understand and incorporate different perspectives into project activities and deliverables. This is especially important for project design and planning activities as it promotes buy-in, generates understanding, ensures inclusion, and leads to more comprehensive plans as all challenges, processes, and viewpoints can be addressed.   Currently, we are developing a comprehensive Affirmative Action plan with the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, working with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to conduct a staff DEI training, policy review, recommendations, and strategy for DEI implementation, designing a diversity and equity playbook for the Manufacturing Institute, and facilitating DEI staff trainings for workforce boards in Ohio. Alabama Office of Apprenticeships: DEI Training TPMA’s team of Diversity and Inclusion specialists provided a one-day virtual training session for staff to ensure compliance with the DOL Affirmative Action Plan. To customize the training for AOA staff, TPMA conducted background research on the PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 15 organization, its services, and current practices around Affirmative Action metrics. The training was formatted for in-person or virtual delivery due to changes pandemic conditions. Crafting Engaging and Visual Representations of Data TPMA specializes in translating rigorous research into accessible language and visuals for a variety of different audiences, including institutions of higher education, nonprofits, government organizations, community stakeholders, and policymakers. By making data approachable communities and organizations are able to better utilize the information in their decision making. Wayne Metro: Community Needs Assessment TPMA provided Wayne Metro Community Action Agency (WMCAA) in Detroit, Michigan with two Community Needs Assessments, and a Head Start Program Needs Assessment. These analyses included a synopsis of the causes and conditions of poverty, a demographic overview of the county’s children and families, regional profiles highlighting findings and statistics for each of WMCAA’s six program regions, and an assessment of the gaps and needs related to the organization’s programming in Wayne County. Qualitative data collection for this study included focus groups of clients served by Wayne Metro, staff and leaders of the agency, and community partners. This project also entailed conducting focus groups with individuals for whom English was a second language, who primarily spoke Arabic or Spanish. SCOPE OF PROPOSAL TPMA approaches all projects as a partner and values increasing the organization’s internal capacity and relationships through partnership, research and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and strategic/action planning. We prioritize creating and facilitating a collaborative relationship and engage the client in the design, expectations, commitment, and results of the project. When developing recommendations, we strive to design solutions that are practical, equitable, and sustainable. Our process is designed to meet organizational needs, be dynamic, and deepen staff and stakeholder engagement; this ensures the final report and recommendations have the necessary support to keep them relevant, are usable, and useful. TPMA fully appreciates the necessity for flexibility and responsiveness. Phase 1: Data collection and stakeholder mapping TPMA prides ourselves on ensuring our reports and studies come from our clients; not our preconceived notions. TPMA’s process includes robust stakeholder engagement and the inclusion of individual voices to inform plans and to build buy-in from communities at large. To this end, our process includes a variety of activities, such as surveys, interviews, and working sessions, to ensure that key stakeholders are fully engaged in the planning process. We not only develop PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 16 recommendations, but also help our clients to identify action steps and a process for reporting progress toward objectives. Task 1.1: Project Initiation We recognize the importance of adaptability and regular communication early in the project. You will find our team is responsive, professional, flexible, and easy to work with. Each TPMA project begins with a project initiation meeting that creates the foundation for a successful project. TPMA proposes a virtual meeting with the City of Bozeman staff which will allow TPMA to gain a clear understanding of the broader framework of community needs and major issues to be addressed by the project. The meeting will also allow TPMA to work with city staff to solidify the design and timeline of the project. Additionally, the meeting will be used to brainstorm stakeholders, individuals, and organizations, that should be engaged throughout the process and identify previous studies and projects that contain relevant information for this project. Throughout the process TPMA suggests regularly scheduled calls with the City staff point of contact (staff contact). TPMA and the staff contact will select the cadence for these regular calls, based on the finalized timeline and other checkpoints in the process. In between these regularly scheduled calls, TPMA is available for ad hoc calls, requests, updates, and other communication that will strengthen the assessment. Task 1.2: Background Research TPMA values utilizing the most comprehensive and up-to date data possible when completing assessing community needs and conducting a gap analysis. Our approach for data collection focuses on sources that provide either all-encompassing or generalizable estimates on a regular schedule for the population in question. Where possible, we glean information from sources in which all individuals in each area are required to be counted, like state departments of health or education, or from large nationwide surveys with ample sample sizes, like the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and data from Community Commons. For topics on which data are not available from these sources, we then move to sources such as cities or municipalities, or from local or community surveys and databases. TPMA, with help from the staff contact, will identify existing data sources, and begin to identify gaps within those data sources. This will allow TPMA to start the process of crafting the potential framework for ethical data collection, storage, usage, analysis, and reporting. TPMA will want stakeholder feedback on the process, especially the data collection, analysis, and development of the equity indicators. TPMA has designed feedback loops and engagement opportunities throughout the process to ensure stakeholder can help design a framework that is ethical and considers the communities unique needs. By developing a potential process early, TPMA can share it with stakeholder so they have something to react against; then the framework can be revised based on conversations with stakeholders. PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 17 Task 1.3: Stakeholder Engagement TPMA will utilize a stakeholder mapping framework to design an inclusive engagement process for community members. Stakeholder mapping highlights differing levels of influence and impact; it is often individuals and organizations that have low influence that are left out of the process even if they are ones most impacted by decisions. Stakeholder mapping grounds the stakeholder process in an understanding of the inequities and power balance that exists in the community. TPMA will work with the staff contact to select an initial group of stakeholders to engage with. TPMA work with the staff contact to engage with individuals that are representative of various levels of influence and who have strong connections in the community. TPMA will then host a one-hour virtual stakeholder mapping and planning session. During this session TPMA will ask stakeholders to map where they or their organization fall on the stakeholder map. Do they have a high stake in what is being discussed? Do they have high or low interest? What is their influence level? Once we establish where the stakeholders fall TPMA will discuss “who is not at the table”, “how can we further engage with individuals and organizations not present?” this will further develop who is involved in the process. TPMA will explore with the stakeholders if they can help connect with those that are not represented. This stakeholder engagement builds support from the local community and can help utilize members connections in reaching more community members, especially if they have existing relationships and trust already built with harder to reach populations. Finally, after discussing who else needs to be a part of the conversation TPMA will present the potential framework for the process that was designed in the background research phase. Stakeholders will then have a chance to reflect on the proposed data collection process and help identify other data sets to collect. TPMA will also gather feedback from stakeholders to ensure the plan for data analysis and the development of the equity indicators will be inclusive and is designed for community participation. If the initial stakeholders share that they think more stakeholder engagement is needed in the planning/ design process TPMA can host additional stakeholder engagement to help inform the data collection process, however, we want to be mindful of not over engaging people and causing burnout. TPMA will revise the framework for the process based on stakeholder feedback and will share the revised plan for the staff contact’s approval. The final framework plan will inform the next tasks and phases, but TPMA understand the need to be flexible and is aware changes may need to be made during the process. Task 1.4: Data Collection The data collection will be planned with the stakeholders and will be designed to include the community in both ensuring the quantitative data is representative of them and that they are included in in the qualitative data collection. TPMA is skilled at facilitating data collection. To collect qualitative data that will inform the equitability of experience and the gap analysis TPMA will conduct both in person and virtual data collection. TPMA proposes a three-day site visit to PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 18 conduct some of the data collection. TPMA in designing the framework for the process will identify which elements would be most beneficial to conduct in person, based off insights from stakeholders. Data collection may include surveys, interviews, and/ or focus groups. While the specifics of the data collection will be planned with stakeholders TPMA has established processes that help us ensure high quality data collection. Leveraging Digital Connectivity: At this time, TPMA will arrange the logistics of data collection given COVID-19 health and safety restrictions. In light of the current pandemic, our team plans to use these virtual methods throughout the project but is able to hold stakeholder engagement activities in person should circumstances allow. TPMA has experience conducting virtual data collection and stakeholder engagement activities, including Zoom focus groups and interviews, for a variety of clients. During the virtual focus groups, TPMA has been able to keep participants engaged in a similar manner as if the groups were conducted face-to-face, using virtual break out groups and PowerPoint. Should the number of COVID-19 cases in the region drastically decrease, our team is flexible and able to hold socially distanced, in-person focus groups to ensure the team’s and the participants’ health and safety. Protocols for Interviews and Focus Groups: First, we write all protocol questions to avoid “leading” or providing any indication that we hold a certain hypothesis around anticipated responses. Our protocols contain probes to generate follow-ups to certain concepts, and we continue to probe until reaching data saturation within the group (when participants are not putting forth any new ideas, concepts, or themes in response to follow-up questions). The City of Bozeman will have an opportunity to review, provide feedback, and approve questions before any qualitative data collection activities occur. During all sessions, TPMA will take detailed notes (minimum of one note-taker and one facilitator) and when appropriate, will record all conversations with audio equipment (with participants’ permission) to ensure that detail and context is not lost. Immediately after the focus groups and interviews the team will thoroughly analyze the experiences and notes and organize all data into major groupings—themes and concepts—that become sections of the report. These items will be shared with the City of Bozeman in the preliminary draft final report and utilized in recommendations to move forward. Protocols for Survey: TMPA has ample survey experience and has created and analyzed numerous surveys designed to assess community-wide efforts to solve systemic issues. TPMA currently uses the software SurveyLegend to design and share surveys. For opened-ended survey responses, TPMA will conduct grounded theory analyses to find patterns and connections in the data. For close-ended (quantitative) questions, TPMA will conduct descriptive analyses with cross- tabulations, including means, frequencies, standard deviations, etc. Descriptive statistics provide a means for examining the range and level of various outcomes. TPMA will work the initial stakeholder group and the staff contact to determine the best ways to disseminate surveys to ensure participation from a variety of community members. Where appropriate TPMA may ask other organizations with local community connections to share the survey. PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 19 Phase 2: Data Analysis TPMA will provide analysis that will include sources that have table numbers, notes, and links so that the organizations can access any annually updated numbers from the original source with ease. TPMA understands the need for regularly updated data to inform local decisions. Because of this, we pride ourselves on the replicability of our reports through clear and concise sourcing. Task 2.1: Analyze Data Sets to Determine Equitability of Experience The data analysis will identify emerging and/or vulnerable populations who may be in need of services and include information about economics, education, access to healthcare, aging trends, legal needs, housing, transportation, community needs, child abuse and neglect, and saturation and gaps in social service provision in the counties. TPMA will provide an analysis of demographic data and economic trends including analyses of poverty, public infrastructure, and basic needs trends. TPMA will then analyze data sets to determine any existing inequities or disparities in the community experience; where possible TPMA will disaggregate by race, ethnicity, and gender identity to better understand the complexity of inequities. Data sets will include information concerning, but not limited to the following indicators and topics: • Mental health burden • Education • Economic opportunity and inclusion • Social inclusion and belonging • Environmental justice • Food security • Affordability • Criminal justice • Accessibility • City Services Task 2.2: Perform Gap Analysis The TPMA team will use a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to assess the City of Bozeman’s current gaps in service. First TPMA will utilize the data analysis to provide data-driven insights so the City understands any inequities found. Once an understanding of inequities is formed TPMA will perform a gap analysis to assess what services are currently being provided, who is benefiting from those services, what additional services are needed, and who has the capacity to expand their services or offer new service. TPMA will analyze the City’s internal capacity as well as community partners to address inequities and then will provide informed recommendations that can achieve real change in addressing any inequities that are uncovered. The results of the gap analysis will be included in the final report. Task 2.3: Draft Final Report At TPMA, we pride ourselves on submitting reports and other deliverables on time and in accordance with client preferences. We specialize in turning data into easy-to-use reports for PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 20 communities through accessible writing, logical formatting, and clear graphics. Our report will not only provide the information requested in the RFP, but also will be compelling and concise. We will break down indicators by race, ethnicity, and gender identity, when applicable and will utilize graphics where appropriate to demonstrate the concentration of certain issues. After the data collection and gap analysis have been completed TPMA will begin working on the final report. TPMA will provide an early preliminary report of key findings of the data collection and gap analysis; this will be reviewed by the staff contact and then will be presented by TPMA in a virtual meeting with City Staff. TPMA will work with the staff contact to finalize the report and can discuss if the equity indicators and measures should be included in the final report. The final report will include: • Methodology; • Framework; • Results of the data analysis; • Visual representations of data; • Results of the gaps analysis; • Record of public engagement methods and results; and • Other sections as agreed upon • Recommendations for future work Future Work As next steps, TPMA is willing and prepared to engage the City in implementation of key equity metrics, staff training sessions, and creation of tools that can be used to evaluate new initiatives. In the section listing recommendations for future work, the TPMA team will include potential follow-up services we are able to provide, as equity initiatives, especially at the citywide level, take ongoing effort and constant reevaluation of results. Due to our wide variety of services and multidisciplinary team, we enjoy working with organizations on multiple initiatives as their needs evolve, and we will be able to discuss these options as recommendations. Phase 3: Develop Equity Indicators Task 3.1: Draft Equity Indicators and Measurement Tools Based on the themes from the data analysis, TPMA will draft a list of equity indicators the City should track. TPMA will provide measurement tools for these key equity indicators. TPMA has developed high-quality data collection tools and processes for a variety of organizations and populations. When creating data collection tools, we value a highly collaborative process to ensure that tools are accessible and easy to use. We also understand that each organization has unique challenges and cultures; we work with clients and stakeholders to identify these at the beginning of the project to inform our methodology. Our team has developed data protocols and trainings to ensure processes are followed with fidelity and result in high-quality data. PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 21 Feedback Loop Survey: Once a draft of the key indicators is completed, TPMA will prepare to engage with the stakeholders and City staff by sharing the draft with the group. To streamline the feedback process, TPMA will send the group a survey on the indicators and proposed measurement tools, so that participants have a chance to share opinions on each. This survey can be more widely shared with community partners, if desired. After the survey responses have been received, TPMA will facilitate a one-hour virtual meeting to discuss the survey feedback on the indicators and to provide an opportunity for further discussion. TPMA will then revise the indicators based on the feedback received. Based on earlier discussions with stakeholders other ways of engaging community members and stakeholders may be identified. TPMA is will adjust as needed to accommodate what engagement is outlined once the framework is finalized. Webinar: Since tools are only useful if they can be utilized, after the equity indicators have been finalized TPMA will conduct a webinar on the equity indicators and how to use the measurement tools to track progress. This webinar can be recorded and shared as staff changes or to build capacity so additional staff know how to utilize the tools. Proposed Timeline TPMA would launch the project in January 2021 and conclude the project in late Spring 2021. The timeline below highlights the tasks and timeframe they would be completed. TPMA is open to adjusting the timeline to best suit the City. Jan- 21 Feb- 21 Mar- 21 Apr- 21 May- 21 Phase 1: Data collection and stakeholder mapping Task 1.1: Project Initiation Task 1.2: Background Research Task 1.3: Stakeholder Engagement Task 1.4: Data Collection Phase 2: Data Analysis Task 2.1: Analyze Data Sets Task 2.2: Perform Gap Analysis Task 2.3: Draft Final Report Phase 3: Develop Equity Indicators Task 3.1: Develop Equity Indicators PROPOSAL FOR:__ CITY OF BOZEMAN___ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 22 BUDGET Estimated Hours by Task Estimated Hours by Project Team Member Task Krystal Megan Ellen Steven Joely Task 1.1: Project Initiation 7 4 4 4 3 Task 1.2: Background Research 5 2 16 1 0 Task 1.3: Stakeholder Engagement 25 17 6 4 16 Task 1.4: Data Collection 42 46 38 0 0 Task 2.1: Analyze Data Sets 21 10 30 10 10 Task 2.2: Perform Gap Analysis 21 8 20 2 10 Task 2.3: Draft Final Report 43 10 28 10 4 Task 3.1: Draft Equity Indicators and Measurement Tools 36 26 22 8 0 Names and Corresponding Job Title Krystal – Project Associate Megan – Director Ellen – Project Consultant Steven – Senior Project Consultant Joely – Project Consultant Cost by Task TPMA proposes a total budget of $73,870.00 to complete the scope of work outlined in this proposal. This total is inclusive of all costs associated with the services provided. TPMA builds budgets based on the hourly rates of TPMA staff. The budget breakdown is provided, by task, in the table below. Task Cost Task 1.1: Project Initiation $ 2,755.00 Task 1.2: Background Research $ 2,905.00 Task 1.3: Stakeholder Engagement $ 8,590.00 Task 1.4: Data Collection $ 16,560.00 Task 2.1: Analyze Data Sets $ 9,955.00 Task 2.2: Perform Gap Analysis $ 7,385.00 Task 2.3: Draft Final Report $ 11,305.00 Task 3.1: Draft Equity Indicators and Measurement Tools $ 11,750.00 Travel $ 1,850.00 Project Administration $ 815.00 Total $ 73,870.00 PROPOSAL FOR: __ CITY OF BOZEMAN________ THOMAS P. MILLER & ASSOCIATES 23 Schedule of Rates  TPMA’s hourly rates are as follows:   • Director: $165/hour • Senior Project Consultant: $130/hour  • Project Consultant: $120/hour  • Project Associate: $105/ hour  Direct Costs Direct costs for this project include travel and project administration. Travel includes the cost for a three-day site visit for data collection by two TPMA staff. Project administration is the cost to set up the project to internally track and invoice, this helps ensure the project runs smoothly. Task Cost Travel $ 1,850.00 Project Administration $ 8,15.00 Total $ 2,665.00 REFERENCES Wayne Metro Community Action Agency – Community Needs Assessment Contact: Mia Harnos, Chief Development & Communications Officer Phone Number: (734) 536-2006 Email: mharnos@waynemetro.org Community Foundation Alliance – Community Needs Assessment and Planning for the Lilly Endowment Community Leadership Grant Initiative   Contact: Jill Carpenter, President and CEO Phone Number: (812) 429-1191 ext. 1 Email: jcarpenter@communityfoundationalliance.org Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologist Contact: Beverly Christner, Senior Director of Operations Phone Number: (770) 458-3811 Email: bchristner@cste.org RFP Equity Indicators & Gaps Analysis Page 16 of 16 Attachment A NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and acknowledges and understands the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting discrimination as described above and this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatments or proposer’s employees and to all subcontracts. In addition, ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and has visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website, https://equalpay.mt.gov/BestPractices/Employers, or equivalent “best practices publication and has read the material. ______________________________________ Name and title of person authorized to sign on behalf of submitter Thomas P. Miller & Associates, LLC Thomas P. Miller & Associates, LLC 11/19/2020