3-Youth STEM Definitions and Acronyms.docx

Youth STEM Program Definitions, Acronyms, and Informational Resources Definitions and Acronyms Accessibility or Accessible. The design of products, devices, services, or environments to be usable by individuals with disabilities, as consistent with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.), Sections 501 (29 U.S.C. § 791) and 508 (29 U.S.C. § 794).

Assistive Technology. Any item, device, or product system whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of Students with Disabilities.

Budget. The financial plan for carrying out the project, as requested in the Budget Workbook and formalized in the Grant Award, including required or committed cost sharing, if any, such as match or leverage. The TWC-approved Budget in the Grant Award may differ from an Applicant’s requested Budget because of unallowable costs that TWC removes before executing the Grant Award, Grant Award Amendments executed during the Grant Period, if authorized, or for other reasons.

Budget Period. In a Grant Award, the time interval from the start date of a funded portion of an award to the end date of that funded portion during which Grantees are authorized to incur financial obligations of the funds awarded. The Grant Period for a Grant Award may have more than one Budget Period, such as if the Application specifies that TWC Will fund a Grant Award in increments, TWC exercises a Grant Award renewal option, if available, or for other reasons.

Community-Based Organization (CBO). A private nonprofit organization such as a neighborhood group or organization, community action agency, community development corporation, union-related organization, employer-related organization, faith-based organization, or an organization serving Native Americans.

Computing Device. Machines used to store, acquire, analyze, process, and publish data and other information electronically, including accessories (or “peripherals”) for printing, transmitting, and receiving, or storing electronic information. Examples include, but are not limited to, desktops, laptops, all-in-ones, tablets, and 2-in-1s.

Dedicated Competition. A platform for Students with Disabilities, offering them a unique opportunity to engage in STEM and showcase their robotics skills.

Field Work Opportunities. Opportunities for individuals pursuing a career in a coding-related field to receive STEM-related training, mentoring, and coaching from professionals in STEM fields.

Grant Award. The agreement entered by TWC and the Grantee as a result of this RFA, including the Grant Award Agreement and all attachments and Amendments.

Grant Period. For the purposes of this program, Grant Period is defined as twelve (12) months.

Grantee. A successful Applicant that receives a TWC Grant Award under this RFA.

Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB). An entity created pursuant to Texas Government Code § 2308.253 and certified by the Governor pursuant to Texas Government Code § 2308.261. There are twenty-eight (28) LWDBs in Texas.

Period of Performance. In a Grant Award, the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial award and the planned end date, which may include one or more funded portions, or Budget Periods. Basically, the time during which a Grantee may perform approved grant-funded activities under a Grant Award. Refer to the definitions for Budget Period and Grant Period.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). An education grouping that integrates the academic disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics into a holistic approach to learning and problem solving.

Supportive Services. Supportive services are only available for TANF eligible students under this program. Services include linkages to community services, assistance with transportation, after school counseling or supervision assistance, and any other service that the TANF eligible student requires that is reasonably calculated when school is not in session to participate in activities. Please refer to Texas Workforce Commission Choices guide for reference. (https://www.twc.texas.gov/sites/default/files/wf/docs/choices-guide-twc.pdf) State. The State of Texas and its instrumentalities, including Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and any other State agency, its officers, employees, or authorized agents.

Students with Disabilities. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a student who is determined to: (1) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more major life activities; or (2) have a record of such an impairment; or (3) be regarded as having such an impairment. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations at 34 C.F.R. § 300.8 provides a more specific definition: a disability means a child evaluated in accordance with 34 C.F.R. §§ 300.304 through 300.311 as having an intellectual disability, a hearing impairment (including deafness), a speech or language impairment, a visual impairment (including blindness), a serious emotional disturbance (referred to in this part as “emotional disturbance”), an orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, another health impairment, a specific learning disability, deaf-blindness, or multiple disabilities, and who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services. TWC will accept any of these definitions to define “Students with Disabilities”.

Texas Grant Management Standards (TxGMS). Standards issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, which provides administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for certain state awards, and supplements the UG for federal awards.

Uniform Guidance (UG). The “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,” issued by the federal Office of Budget and Management (OMB), and codified at Title 2, Part 200, Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) (2 C.F.R. Part 200).

Will. A statement containing the term “will” means the statement is a requirement of the application. The term “will” is interchangeable with the term “must” and has the same meaning as the term “shall”.

Informational Resources Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/financial/cash/tanf-cash-help) TWC Procurement Portal (https://twc-texas-gov.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities) Bonfire Technical Support (https://twc-texas-gov.bonfirehub.com/portal/support) TWC Financial Manual for Grants and Contracts (https://www.twc.texas.gov/agency/grant-administration-financial-reporting) Uniform Grant Management Standards and Texas Grant Management Standards (https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/grant-management/) WD Letter 02-18 Change 1“Handling and Protection of Personally Identifiable Information and Other Sensitive Information” and subsequent issuances (https://www.twc.texas.gov/sites/default/files/wf/policy-letter/wd/02-18-ch1-twc.pdf) State of Texas Debarred Vendor List (https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/programs/vendor-performance-tracking/debarred-vendors.php) State of Texas Divestment Statute Lists (https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/publications/divestment.php) Electronic State Business Daily Search (https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd)