Consultant Information

Association members frequently utilize consultant and/or technical assistance services to acquire needed expertise or “point in time” help with projects. This allows them to produce high quality results without the expense of hiring additional staff.

To better serve our members and the public, the Association has expanded and enhanced our website to include a searchable database of consultants and technical assistance providers. The database will be accessible to anyone visiting the website – members of the Association and the general public. It was designed specifically to be easy to use. Potential clients can click on the banner which says “Looking for a Consultant for Commission or Grantee needs?” and they will be taken directly to the Consultant Search Area, where they can find needed information and communicate directly with a consultant or technical assistance provider. Additionally, we send consultants individual email updates of any RFP’s that are posted to our website

You may purchase a listing on the First 5 Association of California website. Memberships are annually based on the month you apply.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LISTING ON THE FIRST 5 ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA WEBSITE?

• You control the content of your listing and can update it as often as you like. The information about you, your services, qualifications and past projects is always current because you can access the site and update the information as frequently as you want. Your listing will therefore always reflect your current skills, expertise and projects. This ensures that public and private agencies seeking technical assistance will know how your qualifications meet their needs.
  
  
  
• Access available to anyone. The new First 5 Association of California website is accessible to anyone. As groups continue to build on California’s success with Prop 10, technical assistance providers and consultants with expertise and experience will be in demand by other states and/or regions. Information about your services, skills and clients will be available to anyone visiting the website.
  
  
  
• Prospective clients can match their needs with your services and expertise. Organizations and groups can search for consulting services by geographic location, type of project, consultant name, and/or areas of expertise to find the technical assistance providers that best meet their needs. View our Consultant Search page at consultsearch.asp. Other non-interactive listings (i.e., phone books, company websites, etc.) do not provide the tools to assess alignment between a client’s needs and your expertise – and result in both parties spending time they don’t have to learn they don’t match.
  
  
  
• Prospects can communicate directly with you. Once a prospective client has matched your services with their needs, they can fill out an online form and submit it directly to you for follow-up. There is no intermediary and no unnecessary delay. People who contact you will do so because they have already decided you might be able to help them. And you can respond more effectively because you have basic information about their needs.
  
  
  
• A listing with First 5 Association of California is cost effective. The cost for a listing on the First 5 Association of California website equates to approximately two hours of consulting time. Rates are even lower for members of the Association. The first lead generated from the site will save more than two hours of your time; the first sale will return much more than the cost of the listing.

The only requirement is that your listing includes references, preferably from First 5 Commissions or grantees for whom you have done work. We will not be checking references, however individuals checking your listing will. Please list references on your application form. After we receive your payment we will send you a password and instructions for completing your profile online.

The First 5 Association of California, our members, and our constituents need your services and expertise to be effective in carrying out their missions. Please consider being part of our consultant and technical assistance provider database as we move forward to improve the lives of California's youngest children and their families. If you need additional information or have questions, please contact us at (510) 526-9999x14.