4-Youth STEM Application.docx

Youth STEM Program Application Submission Form Use this form to submit one grant application at a time.

Scope of Grant The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has authorized the use of four million six hundred thousand dollars ($4,600,000) to provide programs to promote interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers for eligible students grades six (6) to twelve (12). Programs may include in-school and afterschool sessions, or summer camps (day/overnight) with consideration given to other engaging STEM-related activities and subjects.

Eligible applicants under this Application are as follows and must be an accredited educational institution in good standing with the State of Texas:

1. Texas Independent School Districts (ISDs);

2. Texas Private Schools;

3. Texas Charter Schools;

4. Texas Military Based Schools;

5. Texas non-profit community-based organizations (CBO);

6. Texas Institutes of Higher Education (IHE);

7. Texas Community Colleges;

8. Texas Technical Colleges; and

9. Texas Universities.

Applicants may apply for a grant ranging from a minimum amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to a maximum amount of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000). The funding source(s) for the Youth STEM program is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (Assistance Listings number 93.558), Social Security Act, 42 U.S. Code (U.S.C.) §§ 601-619, as amended.

The guidelines are as follow for submitting an application:

1. Applicants are allowed to submit only one application at a time for consideration.

2. Each individual program may only be supported by one Youth STEM grant during this procurement cycle.

3. Applicants can apply for another program once their initial application has been approved and the Applicant has been notified of award, so long as the subsequent program is distinct from the approved application(s).

4. Applicants can apply for a maximum of three (3) programs under this specific grant.

5. Additional funding for an approved grant will require approval by TWC and will be contingent on funding availability.

To be considered for a Grant Award, a program must:

1. align with Commission priorities identified in TWC’s Strategic Plan;

2. have facilities, personnel, and security in place to support program(s) being applied for; and;

3. be in proximity to businesses or organizations in order to create partnerships to support the program, and schedule potential field trips or speaking engagements involving industry-related occupations. Exceptions, to be determined by TWC, may be made for applicants in rural areas according to their location and LWDB affiliation.

Application Process Instructions The application packet for this grant includes this application and the budget workbook.

1. Email questions regarding the application or the Youth STEM Program through TWC’s Procurement Portal.

2. Review and complete the Application Form and Budget Workbook.

3. Applicants must submit application in PDF form with appropriate signatures to be considered.

4. Submit completed application through TWC Procurement Portal.

5. Applicants should anticipate up to sixty (60) days for the completion of the TWC review and approval process. Applicants will be notified of their award status at the conclusion of TWC’s review.

Applicant Information:

Please provide the information requested below:

Applicant Name:

Mailing Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Authorized Representative - Name:

Title:

Email Address:

Primary Phone Number:

Designated Point of Contact - Name:

(The role of the Designated Point of Contact will be to work with the TWC Grant Manager throughout the life of the Grant Award.)

Title:

Email Address:

Primary Phone Number:

Youth STEM Program Plan Complete the sections below, detailing how funding will support the Youth STEM Program.

1. Provide a detailed summary of the type of Youth STEM program being applied for and how it aligns with Commission priorities adopted in TWC’s strategic plan. Please include Labor Market Industry (LMI) data in your response to include the specific Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code(s) of STEM-related occupations your program will expose participants to.

[Applicant Response] Quarterly Expenditure Benchmarks Table Provide cumulative expenditure benchmarks for each quarter by completing the following table. Add data to the chart to reflect cumulative expenditure benchmarks, for example: Quarter 1 = 25%, Quarter 2 = 50%, Quarter 3 = 75%, Quarter 4 = 100% Quarterly Expenditure Benchmarks Table (expressed as a % of total amount requested)

2. Provide a detailed projected timeline for the program to include scheduling of events, significant estimated milestones, staff training and development, and planned field trips/special events.

[Applicant Response]

3. Describe in detail how the program will promote interest in STEM, and STEM related vocational fields in your area. Provide the names of potential employers in industry-related occupations (if applicable) the applicant will partner with during the program.

[Applicant Response]

4. Describe in detail how you will recruit students for the Youth STEM program to include how you will incorporate TANF eligible students. Also, provide a detailed plan on how the applicant will address student retention throughout the program.

[Applicant Response]

6. Complete following performance measures table.

Post-Program Completion At the conclusion of the Program, Grantees will:

1) Administer a program evaluation, including, but not limited to, the following evaluation elements. Responses must be collected using either the specified scale or through open-ended responses, as indicated.

Scale 1 = Strongly Disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree 4 = Agree 5 = Strongly Agree Evaluation Elements:

1. This program increased my interest in STEM careers. (scale)

2. This program helped me understand how STEM is used in the real world. (scale)

3. I am now interested in taking more STEM courses in high school or college. (scale)

4. I know more about the skills and education needed for STEM careers. (scale)

5. This program helped me see what I’m good at in STEM. (scale)

6. What change, if any, would you make to the program? (open-ended response) Youth STEM Program Eligibility TWC grant funds must be used for related TANF Services for eligible participants, based on the applicant’s determination that the costs are reasonable and necessary to provide TANF Services-allowable activities.

The eligible population to be served by this program are students who have progressed to grade six (6) and have not yet graduated from grade twelve (12), have a valid Social Security Number, and U.S. citizenship.

Reporting Requirements Financial Reporting The Grantee shall electronically submit the following, through the Cash Draw and Expenditure Reporting system, according to the instructions specified in 40 TAC §§ 800.52 and 800.72, WD Letters (including any subsequent issuances) and/or other Agency issuances, as applicable;

An accurate monthly financial report, including accrued expenditures and financial obligations for the grant award; and An accurate financial closeout settlement package for the grant award. If TWC exercises its option to renew the grant, TWC may require that a separate financial closeout package be submitted by the date and time specified by TWC. If the Grantee does not meet established reporting deadlines, late notifications will be issued and access to funds may be disabled as specified in those issuances.

Performance Reporting A Grantee shall submit the following performance reports:

1. Quarterly Performance Reports (QPRs): QPRs provide regular updates towards the grant program goals and must be submitted to the designated TWC Grant Manger no later than ten (10) days after the end date of each quarter. A quarter is defined as a three-month period on a grant's period of performance that acts as basis for periodic progress reports. The first quarter begins on the grant execution date and includes all remaining days of the month of execution and the two months following. Subsequent quarters begin on the first day of the fourth month and are measured in three-month increments.

2. Ad-hoc Reports: Ad hoc reports, as requested, by TWC to meet the potential need for timely information during the grant term. Due dates for ad-hoc reports will be established at the time of request.

3. Final Report: A final report must be submitted to the designated TWC Grant Manager regarding the grant outcomes. The final report is due no later than thirty (30) days after the grant end date. The final report shall include, but is not limited to:

Applicant Acknowledgements This section is to confirm the Applicant’s acknowledgment of their responsibilities below as well as their compliance with the attached Special Terms & Conditions, General Terms & Conditions and Certifications.

This certification is required by the Federal Regulations, implementing Executive Order 12549, Government-wide Debarment and Suspension, for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2 C.F.R. Part 417), U.S. Department of Labor (2 C.F.R. Part 2998), U.S. Department of Education (2 C.F.R. Part 3485), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2 C.F.R. Part 376).

The undersigned certifies that neither it nor its principals:

A. are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any state or federal department or agency;

B. have, within a three-year period preceding this grant award, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (federal, state, or local) transaction or grant award under a public transaction, violation of federal or state antitrust statutes including those proscribing price fixing between competitors, allocation of customers between competitors, and bid rigging; commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion, receiving stolen property, making false claims, or obstruction of justice; or commission of any other offense indicating a lack of business integrity or business honesty that seriously and directly affects your present responsibility;

C. are presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with commission of any of the offenses identified in this certification; and D. have had, within a three-year period preceding this grant award, one (1) or more public transactions terminated for cause or default.

Applicant Name:

Designated Authorized Representative’s Name:

Signature:

Date: