Charleston seeks provider for Highflyers credible-messenger pilot
Charleston is seeking proposals from a provider that would recruit and supervise credible messengers for the Highflyers Pilot Program at Simmons-Pinckney Middle School.
City solicitation 26-P013R, titled “Credible Messengers (Highflyers Pilot Program),” was listed on July 15, 2026. Proposals are due by 12 p.m. Thursday, August 13. The deadline for written proposer questions—12:30 p.m. July 29—has passed.
The procurement covers a credible-messenger component developed by the Charleston Police Department in collaboration with the Charleston County School District. The solicitation describes Highflyers as a restorative, community-centered model for middle-school students exhibiting chronic behavioral challenges, truancy or system involvement.
Who the proposed service would serve
The credible-messenger work would be based at Simmons-Pinckney Middle School and serve up to 10 Highflyer students per semester. The RFP says the broader pilot has four pillars: credible-messenger mentorship, trauma-focused therapy, restorative community engagement and place-based workforce development.
The city describes those objectives as improving attendance, academic engagement and peer relationships while reducing behavioral incidents, school referrals, arrests and police contact. Those are stated program goals, not results already established by the procurement.
What the provider would deliver
The selected provider would be required to recruit, train and supervise at least three credible messengers. The solicitation sets a maximum ratio of one mentor for every four students while serving up to 10 youth.
Required services include twice-weekly small-group mentoring sessions from 8:30 to 9:20 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays. The provider also would offer individualized mentoring outside school, including check-ins, restorative circles and family engagement.
The RFP calls for trauma-informed and culturally relevant practices focused on emotional growth, conflict resolution and self-advocacy. It also requires background checks and compliance with Charleston Police Department and Charleston County School District standards for youth engagement.
Coordination and accountability
The provider would coordinate with CPD, CCSD, school administrators and other youth-service partners. The scope calls for participation in biweekly Highflyers “Flight Crew” meetings and monthly Village Gatherings, along with joint training for mentors, school staff and school resource officers.
The credible-messenger provider would coordinate with the pilot’s other service components, including trauma-focused therapy, restorative engagement and place-based workforce development. Those components are part of the broader Highflyers model; the current solicitation specifically seeks the credible-messenger services.
Reporting requirements include monthly progress reports covering participation, qualitative observations and measures such as attendance, referrals and engagement. The provider also would collect pre- and post-program assessments, participate in semester-end evaluation meetings and contribute data to CPD’s Research and Strategic Planning Division.
Listed deliverables include training and certification for credible messengers, session plans, attendance logs, monthly progress and impact reports, assessment data, semester-end and end-of-program summaries, regular partner-meeting participation and contributions to a final impact report, curriculum guide and engagement toolkit.
No provider or contract amount has been decided
Charleston has not selected a contractor through solicitation 26-P013R. The RFP says the city is not obligated to award a contract and may reject proposals, make a partial award, reissue or cancel the solicitation. The city plans to rank responsive vendors and negotiate with the highest-ranked vendors if it proceeds.
The reviewed procurement documents do not disclose an expected contract amount. The city’s active bid listings also show a separate Highflyers therapist or clinician solicitation, which is distinct from the credible-messenger procurement.
The next firm date is the proposal deadline: 12 p.m. Thursday, August 13, 2026. Any award, negotiation or final contract terms would need to be confirmed through later city procurement records.
Sources
Discover more from Interactive News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
