The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP).

Originally launched in 2007, YAIP serves disconnected youth through short-term paid internships; placements in jobs, education, or advanced training; and follow-up services.

The total anticipated annual funding is $4.6 million for up to 16 YAIP programs. These figures do not include participant wages which will be paid separately by DYCD.  The agency anticipates that funding levels will allow for an annual per participant cost range of $3,200 to $3,800. This cost range does not include participant wages, which will be paid separately by DYCD. DYCD considers that a viable program cannot be provided for an annual unit cost of less than $3,200 per participant.

The anticipated term of contracts will be for one year, from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, with an option for DYCD to renew for up to two additional years and nine months. The last nine months would be for follow-up services. Follow-up services for each cohort of participants are expected to begin at the end of the 14-week internship cycle for those participants and continue for nine months thereafter.

Copies of the RFP documents can be obtained at the DYCD website.

A pre-proposal conference will be held on November 16th.  Proposals are due December 15th.