--- title: "Dogwood Health Trust Announces Request for Proposals to Address Early Childhood Educator Workforce Challenges" canonicalUrl: "https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-announces-request-for-proposals-to-address-early-childhood-educator-workforce-challenges/" excerpt: "Information session to be held Aug. 9 with applications due by Sept.16, 2022 Asheville, N.C. – Dogwood Health Trust has announced a new request for proposals from nonprofit organizations, government agencies, education institutions, and others who serve the Qualla Boundary and 18 counties of Western North Carolina, who seek to stabilize and grow the local Early Childhood Education (ECE) workforce to better support students in reaching success. The online application will be available Aug. 8 on the Dogwood Health Trust website; responses are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2022. Award notifications will be made in November 2022 with funds distributed in December […]" datePublished: "2022-07-28T14:18:55-04:00" dateModified: "2023-01-03T19:59:20-05:00" --- - Dogwood Health Trust Announces Request for Proposals to Address Early Childhood Educator Workforce Challenges - Dogwood Health Trust ** # Dogwood Health Trust Announces Request for Proposals to Address Early Childhood Educator Workforce Challenges Share This Article ** ** ** ** ** [** July 28, 2022](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/2022/07/28/) ## Information session to be held Aug. 9 with applications due by Sept.16, 2022 Asheville, N.C. –** [Dogwood Health Trust](http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=s6HQHPgMKgZSFMCVsxq6vHhWjHcLMgtMqTWnftwOYAyh-2FNsxpmBp-2FqcoEppqc0d4P271_HONMHSOfGd7iCTj7AaEjfhKpGKoj29qSxihGWeJXFETEKDuYHGPrX5BjtUxG71-2B9y9xvVNgF-2F9LYymIh2ByFJ0o6vWZ2UUJ6Z492VusRn7fEEbw4bqEmB066MU9spCvhJkrK-2FZIjQ3uzGOUmmFjjrh0-2F3pZgCXxGQpbo6PP0oTzPUjyopMWyguJKCgtjnc-2FK48El5yrrMbpNS9WgBPWHDMgl6AOLQfS0OIQrE6UDAgqaAOkQqTFXjXhTqvXiGc5WyoUBxYg8k1uzAav0Wrv6-2FocrFOWAVg5x6CUqgnT4d2cj2j71KFdM4loPlHqSubmzncf9lU90QNWEeicjjOvamBT6zomhlG8j2B-2BkTWM9xF1A1VvvDo3AnA7CHsv75XtBFAydlh4T4a29DbeT3ouAag-3D-3D) has announced a new request for proposals from nonprofit organizations, government agencies, education institutions, and others who serve the Qualla Boundary and 18 counties of Western North Carolina, who seek to stabilize and grow the local Early Childhood Education (ECE) workforce to better support students in reaching success. The online application will be available Aug. 8 on the [Dogwood Health Trust website](http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=s6HQHPgMKgZSFMCVsxq6vHhWjHcLMgtMqTWnftwOYAza5PJsfuSdaKvdzGY-2FxMVj0ssgMG7W62jW4gdlwtp6ojq41Xu6nh5tqVQAFfNqnqM-3Dl0tE_HONMHSOfGd7iCTj7AaEjfhKpGKoj29qSxihGWeJXFETEKDuYHGPrX5BjtUxG71-2B9y9xvVNgF-2F9LYymIh2ByFJ0o6vWZ2UUJ6Z492VusRn7fEEbw4bqEmB066MU9spCvhJkrK-2FZIjQ3uzGOUmmFjjrh0-2F3pZgCXxGQpbo6PP0oTzPUjyopMWyguJKCgtjnc-2FK48El5yrrMbpNS9WgBPWHDAD0Kl-2FUFxUNmEuP-2FnGIJ4Lj-2B0vrzVrAKdeIRvOfQOqGSa76g4cX1pXh-2Bg2gkiGxSDS9iQSM1ZZiJsgcmshf2UrvzR2aPJvfIKtUwL34ANPO987d-2FjIb4iroKj-2BUgoKtgZ0FU8b-2Bn47gL1enrwFXbPByaU8ED-2FLFogKiudom8GAhO0Vd5PY-2B9MjXvgjGEkBLhA-3D-3D); responses are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2022. Award notifications will be made in November 2022 with funds distributed in December 2022. A special information session will be held Aug. 9 at noon for organizations that wish to learn more or apply. Registration for the information session can be found [here](http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=s6HQHPgMKgZSFMCVsxq6vG-2FnVrztSMMFFY4iM7Krn-2Fa9CbFvgQCYczV9K67CTliKDqjvXOG0go7ePOZxhDleh22c-2BNf8lzHdKVrqc5nCdlqcv-2BG-2Blycw3wCE1V9KDIDeHAnQI05YOUN-2BWrT6MSqqSonIC8zdw6-2BSkMNzYThWnt2eRnvaazhEkOVfFawEk-2BHvIkurzRzikaCvKGwjNAwdaYhVtY2Bl3sv-2BI9kBanR5dqr3bxfMbL6qD8NSw6oT0qDPTzu_HONMHSOfGd7iCTj7AaEjfhKpGKoj29qSxihGWeJXFETEKDuYHGPrX5BjtUxG71-2B9y9xvVNgF-2F9LYymIh2ByFJ0o6vWZ2UUJ6Z492VusRn7fEEbw4bqEmB066MU9spCvhJkrK-2FZIjQ3uzGOUmmFjjrh0-2F3pZgCXxGQpbo6PP0oTzPUjyopMWyguJKCgtjnc-2FK48El5yrrMbpNS9WgBPWHDPj6X5xBLIk14ca21-2Fft5WWzwbwMhxg3TL5uazDewIOVon-2BynWCDEPjWvlzOBE0tm9w09McVqGAIqPXTrZ3wIv969Lwbq6RARZR3LxniJrk0ujifBfg4Ypwxzdr5GBxOIYLfZGLb7FqFNGSnUJX6OCBZ1eVEJ4R77my-2F2fuc9p3VwvHWSkqD6bU3chS6lcyZnQ-3D-3D). Dogwood is particularly interested in projects that take a multi-year approach, include more than one of the ECE workforce populations (public, private, home and family care providers), and approach workforce solutions with an eye toward equitable outcomes. Dogwood will award grants ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the organization’s capacity, geographic scope, and strength of the proposal and will consider requests that increase access to existing ECE credentials, attract new or career-changing adults into the ECE profession, and/or improve working conditions for the existing ECE workforce. “Even before the onset of COVID-19, Western North Carolina struggled with a childcare shortage,” said Dr. Ereka Williams, Vice President of Impact – Education. “Part of that has to do with workforce; the professionals who provide early care and education in our region face considerable barriers when it comes to turning their passion for child development into a sustainable career. With this RFP, we hope to support innovative ways to remove those barriers and attract more educators into the early childhood realm.” Priority will be given to proposals that equitably attend to at least one of the following: - Approach, curriculum, training, and evaluation - Career ladder attainment (growth of existing ECE workforce and/or growth of new results - Leadership opportunities among members of the ECE workforce who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), from rural communities, first-generation credential holders, and/or have faced a lack of access to resources and opportunities All grant recipients will engage in the Start with Equity Academy, a four-part, two-hour learning academy/community of practice to support grantees’ equity-centered approaches. The Start with Equity Academy will be led by Dr. Iheoma Iruka of the Equity Research Action Coalition at UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. This RFP follows the recent announcement of the comprehensive ECE landscape study commissioned by Dogwood. Interested applicants may also consider attending the [ECE Data Release webinar on Aug. 2](http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=s6HQHPgMKgZSFMCVsxq6vG-2FnVrztSMMFFY4iM7Krn-2FZ5jxL11tgF51KMSH047f4sbNqEELpCqAkw4z4ksVTWSnWQepAVcefwAkjgkHzMkqA-3DkPAx_HONMHSOfGd7iCTj7AaEjfhKpGKoj29qSxihGWeJXFETEKDuYHGPrX5BjtUxG71-2B9y9xvVNgF-2F9LYymIh2ByFJ0o6vWZ2UUJ6Z492VusRn7fEEbw4bqEmB066MU9spCvhJkrK-2FZIjQ3uzGOUmmFjjrh0-2F3pZgCXxGQpbo6PP0oTzPUjyopMWyguJKCgtjnc-2FK48El5yrrMbpNS9WgBPWHDBbDOu9B1QdhSnEjczsXQXOXMt6ffzo1e5CJzHjVV2Xq-2FYrVvZMBtDL-2B99axxPMTpYi3v3-2FQGgq0IEXIjgI6ABJ01qQYf3ddHgbmUy1LyKxtiAQ8DIoy-2FKZw-2Bn5WlKS1Y0dMnOzGUEi5Ud-2FayY4F7-2FQC69ZQNQOBNqz6zHZfbT8xG979HcP3be31HLhoB-2B96xQ-3D-3D), in addition to the information session for the RFP on Aug. 9. For more information and to apply, visit Dogwood’s [website](http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=s6HQHPgMKgZSFMCVsxq6vHhWjHcLMgtMqTWnftwOYAza5PJsfuSdaKvdzGY-2FxMVj0ssgMG7W62jW4gdlwtp6ojq41Xu6nh5tqVQAFfNqnqM-3DVQq4_HONMHSOfGd7iCTj7AaEjfhKpGKoj29qSxihGWeJXFETEKDuYHGPrX5BjtUxG71-2B9y9xvVNgF-2F9LYymIh2ByFJ0o6vWZ2UUJ6Z492VusRn7fEEbw4bqEmB066MU9spCvhJkrK-2FZIjQ3uzGOUmmFjjrh0-2F3pZgCXxGQpbo6PP0oTzPUjyopMWyguJKCgtjnc-2FK48El5yrrMbpNS9WgBPWHDKHtAW5R517U8TRd6M8iwP8RMlT52KkaaweMch-2BNY3VPPatidiC3x9xR2yjAEemQF7fOqr3IKTy2TzwxC1lcHtqk1eMltXbCCfY1jL5FjehHVtmB4wqONd9WPFyG-2BRNN3z-2BCYk7s1j7bCNVTPz0emTQ3PTVRNZTXVitVjp3nSuiyWxW96wFLetuaaLZ6dUN5ow-3D-3D). For questions, please contact [Emily Quinlan](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#452034302c2b29242b05212d316b2a3722), Impact Officer for Education. **About Dogwood Health Trust** Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellbeing, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness. Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit [www.dht.org](http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=t3VmCNFZzn63ccSwNE-2F3iFUpmx00f3STjHSW4cAnL6I-3D-6yg_HONMHSOfGd7iCTj7AaEjfhKpGKoj29qSxihGWeJXFETEKDuYHGPrX5BjtUxG71-2B9y9xvVNgF-2F9LYymIh2ByFJ0o6vWZ2UUJ6Z492VusRn7fEEbw4bqEmB066MU9spCvhJkrK-2FZIjQ3uzGOUmmFjjrh0-2F3pZgCXxGQpbo6PP0oTzPUjyopMWyguJKCgtjnc-2FK48El5yrrMbpNS9WgBPWHDMTUavsiubM9giA7Xjdt35F-2FLLn4Bo30K-2Fle5-2FDL41o2Lp1sQuI4du6TT5-2B1bjNsIUoLiedzgLsJDm7au4t-2FGO-2F61cvvTpqt4rGkvTCXaW3g5Dmuv9fm9EpzNkt7zU-2FSBpfPi91ACK-2Bio92rhuuZUNMXrRc4oIht9Pq15yoT0GO7q07tiMqp-2B19-2FUkrnZrT0QA-3D-3D). ## Press Contact **Erica Allison****828.358.4867 [[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#630e06070a0223050c110e02170a0c0d13114d000c0e) Formation PR** 735 Locust St. Hendersonville, NC 28792 ## Media Requests * Name Email Message Send ![Full Color Dogwood Health Trust logo](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cropped-DHT-Logo22FullColor-1024x268.webp) #### Additional Press Coverage and News [View All](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/resources/news/) ## Related Posts [](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-releases-hurricane-helene-disaster-response-playbook/) ### [Dogwood Health Trust Releases Hurricane Helene Disaster Response Playbook](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-releases-hurricane-helene-disaster-response-playbook/) Dogwood Health Trust is sharing a new disaster response playbook that captures lessons learned from their experiences responding to Hurricane Helene in 2024. [Read More »](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-releases-hurricane-helene-disaster-response-playbook/) June 8, 2026 [](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-and-primary-care-development-corporation-launch-10-5-million-collaboration-to-strengthen-federally-qualified-health-centers-in-western-north-carolina/) ### [Dogwood Health Trust and Primary Care Development Corporation Launch $10.5 Million Collaboration to Strengthen Federally Qualified Health Centers in Western North Carolina](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-and-primary-care-development-corporation-launch-10-5-million-collaboration-to-strengthen-federally-qualified-health-centers-in-western-north-carolina/) Effort focuses on strengthening FQHC financial resiliency and health care access across region Asheville, N.C. – Dogwood Health Trust and Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) [Read More »](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-and-primary-care-development-corporation-launch-10-5-million-collaboration-to-strengthen-federally-qualified-health-centers-in-western-north-carolina/) March 5, 2026 [](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-and-affiliated-monitors-inc-announce-schedule/) ### [Dogwood Health Trust and Affiliated Monitors, Inc. Announce Schedule for Two Community Meetings with Independent Monitor](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-and-affiliated-monitors-inc-announce-schedule/) Meetings will provide reporting updates, review findings from the 2024 reporting year and share details about the current process for the 2025 reporting year Asheville, [Read More »](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-and-affiliated-monitors-inc-announce-schedule/) February 10, 2026 [](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-announces-700k-in-emergency-funding/) ### [Dogwood Health Trust Announces $700K in Emergency Funding to Help Families in Western North Carolina Access Food During the Government Shutdown](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-announces-700k-in-emergency-funding/) Asheville, N.C. – Dogwood Health Trust announces $700K in emergency funding to help local communities purchase and distribute food to children and families in Western [Read More »](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/dogwood-health-trust-announces-700k-in-emergency-funding/) November 6, 2025 [](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/new-report-highlights-hurricane-helenes-impact-on-western-north-carolina-nonprofits-and-their-role-in-long-term-recovery/) ### [New Report Highlights Hurricane Helene’s Impact on Western North Carolina Nonprofits and Their Role in Long-term Recovery](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/new-report-highlights-hurricane-helenes-impact-on-western-north-carolina-nonprofits-and-their-role-in-long-term-recovery/) While Physical and Economic Recovery is Underway, Social and Emotional Challenges Remain Asheville, N.C. – A new report released today, Rising Above: Resilience and Recovery [Read More »](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/new-report-highlights-hurricane-helenes-impact-on-western-north-carolina-nonprofits-and-their-role-in-long-term-recovery/) September 26, 2025 [](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/two-vice-presidents-to-join-dogwood-health-trusts-community-investment-team/) ### [Two Vice Presidents to Join Dogwood Health Trust’s Community Investment Team](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/two-vice-presidents-to-join-dogwood-health-trusts-community-investment-team/) Asheville, N.C. – Dogwood Health Trust is pleased to announce that after an extensive national search, Jehan Benton-Clark and Jerry Kenney will both join its [Read More »](https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/two-vice-presidents-to-join-dogwood-health-trusts-community-investment-team/) August 6, 2025 - [](#) - [](#) [](/) [](https://twitter.com/DogwoodWNC) [Facebook *](https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood-Health-Trust-212994690131241) [Instagram **](https://www.instagram.com/dogwoodwnc/) [Linkedin **](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dogwood-health-trust/) * [](https://twitter.com/DogwoodWNC) [Facebook *](https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood-Health-Trust-212994690131241) [Instagram **](https://www.instagram.com/dogwoodwnc/) [Linkedin **](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dogwood-health-trust/)