DEI FOA-ETA-17-05.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: Disability Employment Initiative Grants

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-ETA-17-05

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.207

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is July 31, 2017. We must receive applications no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: Address mailed applications to:

The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, Office of Grants Management Attention: Jimmie Curtis, Grant Officer Reference FOA-ETA-17-05 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N4716 Washington, DC 20210

For complete application and submission information, including online application instructions, please refer to Section IV.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $15.0 million in grant funds authorized by Section 169, subsection (b), of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI). We expect to fund approximately 8 grants (as defined in 2 CFR 200.24) to state workforce agencies, ranging from $1.5 million to $2.5 million each. Applicants may apply for up to $2.5 million of funding.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

This Announcement solicits applications for Round VIII of the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI). The purpose of this program is to provide funding to expand the capacity of American Job Centers (AJCs), also known as One-Stop Centers, to promote the use of existing career pathways to serve two populations: 1) adults (ages 18 and older) with visible, non-visible, and significant disabilities0F

1, including those who have acquired disabilities in adulthood; and 2) youth (ages 14-24) with visible, non-visible, and significant disabilities, including those who have chronic health conditions.1F

2 Under this round of DEI funding, grantees will focus on improvements needed to make their existing “career pathways” systems fully inclusive of and accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The DEI seeks to accomplish the following three overarching goals:

1) Increase access to and the participation of individuals with disabilities in WIOA-funded employment and training services, particularly those related to career pathways, in partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs; community colleges and other education entities; human service agencies; and business partners;

2) Improve training and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities and support businesses; and

3) Increase the number of workforce entities functioning as Employment Networks (ENs).

Allowable Use of Grant Funds Grant funds may be used to support activities under any of the six career pathways program elements identified in the Career Pathways Toolkit: A Guide for System Development2F

3 and the Career Pathways Toolkit: An Enhanced Guide and Workbook for System Development.3F

4 Grantees must leverage WIOA core programs and other program resources to the greatest extent possible to fund education, employment, and training activities, as well as supportive services for participants. Allowable use of grant funds may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Universal Design. Universally designed services and program activities for individuals either participating in or seeking to access and participate in existing

1 For purposes of this FOA, individuals with significant disabilities are job seekers who have physical, sensory, mental, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities; receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits; and require significant accommodations, supports, and customization of job responsibilities in order to obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment at or above minimum wage.

2 Chronic conditions are “conditions that last a year or more and require ongoing medical attention and/or limit activities of daily living.” Parekh, A. K., Goodman, R. A., Gordon, C., Koh, H. K., and the HHS Interagency Workgroup on Multiple Chronic Conditions (2011). Managing Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Strategic Framework for Improving Health Outcomes and Quality of Life. Public Health Reports, 126, 460-471 (internal citations omitted).

3 For additional information visit https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEN/TEN_17-15_Attachment_Acc.pdf

4 For additional information visit https://careerpathways.workforcegps.org/resources/2016/10/20/10/11/Enhanced_Career_Pathways_Toolkit https://blog.dol.gov/2015/09/03/building-better-career-pathways/ https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEN/TEN_17-15_Attachment_Acc.pdf career pathways programs resulting in strengthening the capacity of the American Job Center to serve more individuals with disabilities.

• Services and Program Activities. Training (including classroom training and on-the-job training), career services, supportive services that help jobseekers stay in training, benefits counseling, and case management; accessible curriculum design and modifications; strength-based and alternate assessments including the use of discovery4F

5; customer-centered service strategies such as person-centered planning, integrated resource teams, individualized learning/career development plans, and customized employment for people with significant disabilities; youth transition-related services; paid and unpaid work experiences; and participation as an EN in the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Ticket to Work Program (TTW).

• Project Staff. Disability Resource Coordinators (DRCs) or Disability Program Navigators to enhance knowledge; facilitate cross-agency collaboration, leverage available resources (including through the use of Integrated Resource Teams), and advise the public workforce system on changes needed to make the existing career pathways system fully accessible and inclusive of individuals with disabilities; case managers; and other staff necessary to implement inclusive career pathways systems and programming, including subject matter experts or consultants, if reasonable and necessary to the design of the project.

• Professional Development. Necessary staff trainings and capacity building to achieve program goals, including but not limited to expanding the use of universal design strategies and strategies necessary to enhance physical and programmatic accessibility consistent with the requirements of the WIOA Section 188 non-discrimination provisions and its implementing regulations at 29 C.F.R. part 38.5F

• Travel. Necessary travel to conduct activities across the state or local workforce development area(s), as well as the travel costs for the state project lead and local area DRCs to attend one national conference in Washington, D.C.

B. BACKGROUND

WIOA was signed into law on July 22, 2014. It is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

WIOA supersedes Titles I and II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) (which includes the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act), and it amends the Wagner-Peyser Act (W-P) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

To develop America's talent to meet the recruitment and retention needs of the 21st century workforce, the public workforce system must ensure that individuals with

5 Customized employment uses the “discovery process.” According to DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), discovery is a process of self-exploration, often facilitated by others, that involves answering questions, reflecting on ideas and past experiences, and identifying issues and challenges. Identifying a job seeker’s strengths and uncovering their employment-related goals and experiences is the place to start.

6 The regulations implementing section 188 of WIOA were promulgated in December, 2016 and became effective January 3, 2017.

disabilities are integrated into its strategies to serve both of its customers: job seekers and employers. Individuals with disabilities continue to be disproportionately long-term unemployed, underemployed, and living in poverty. As of March 2017, the unemployment rate of individuals with disabilities was 10.6 percent, compared to 4.3 percent for individuals without disabilities. The labor force participation rate of individuals with disabilities was 20.4 percent, compared to 68.7 percent for individuals without disabilities.6F

A number of provisions in WIOA emphasize and increase the requirements for the general workforce development system and the AJCs to meet the needs of job seekers with disabilities, increase their access to high-quality workforce services, and prepare them for competitive integrated employment leading to economic self-sufficiency. WIOA establishes provisions to improve accessibility of the AJCs. For example, the State Workforce Development Board establishes certification criteria to be used by local boards in assessing AJCs once every three years in order to be eligible for infrastructure funding.

The certification criteria relate to effectiveness, physical and programmatic accessibility, and continuous improvement.

Under WIOA, partner programs and entities that are jointly responsible for workforce and economic development, educational programs, and other human resource programs collaborate to create a seamless, customer-focused AJC delivery system that integrates service delivery across all programs and enhances access to services. The AJC delivery system includes six core programs: WIOA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Formula programs; Title II Adult Education and Literacy Act programs; Title III W-P employment services; and Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation programs; as well as other required and optional partners identified in WIOA.

On August 13, 2015, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services jointly released the Vision for the One-Stop Delivery System under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).7F

8 The vision reinforced the partnerships and strategies necessary for the AJCs to provide job seekers and workers with the high-quality career services, education, training, and supporting services they need to obtain good jobs and stay employed; and to help businesses find skilled workers and access other supports, including education and training for their current workforce. On January 18, 2017, the

7 Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017). Table A-6, Employment status of the civilian population by sex, age, and disability status, not seasonally adjusted. Retrieved April 24, 2017 from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t06.htm See also Economic Picture of the Disability Community Project, Key Points on Disability and Occupational Projections Tables, a joint initiative between the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, Employment and Training Administration, Chief Economist, Office of the Secretary, and the White House Council of Economic Advisors. Available at:

http://www.dol.gov/odep/pdf/20141022-KeyPoints.pdf

8 For additional information, refer to Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 04-15, http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=6455 http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t06.htm http://www.dol.gov/odep/pdf/20141022-KeyPoints.pdf http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=6455 same joint partners issued further guidance, the One-Stop Operations Guidance for the American Job Center Network, to operationalize the vision outlined in their 2015 release.8F

This guidance describes the primary components for understanding and implementing an integrated AJC network in existing regulations.

a. Career Pathways

Section 3(7) of WIOA defines “career pathways” as a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that:

• Aligns with the skill needs of industries in the economy of the state or regional economy involved;

• Prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including apprenticeships registered under the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937;

• Includes counseling to support an individual achieving the individual’s education and career goals;

• Includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster;

• Organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent practicable;

• Enables an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least one recognized postsecondary credential; and

• Helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster.

The term career pathways generally refers to a series of connected education and training strategies and support services that enable individuals to secure industry-relevant certification and obtain employment within an occupational area. Career pathways are established by aligning secondary and postsecondary education with workforce development systems and human services at the local, regional, or state level. One critical way in which this alignment occurs is through State and Local Workforce Development Boards responsible for aligning WIOA core programs and developing and improving the workforce system through the creation of career pathways, described in the state plan.

An interagency letter released in April 2012 by the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Labor established the original framework for career pathways.9F

9 For additional information, refer to Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 16-16, https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=8772

10 The Joint Letter on Career Pathways (Training and Employment Notice (TEN) No. 36-11) is available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3536 https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=8772 http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3536

The letter outlined the six key elements for developing comprehensive career pathways: 1) Build Cross-Agency Partnerships and Clarify Roles; 2) Identify Industry Sectors and Engage Employers; 3) Design Education and Training Programs; 4) Identify Funding Needs and Sources; 5) Align Policies and Programs; and 6) Measure Systems Change and Performance.

DOL has subsequently provided technical assistance and guidance on the implementation of career pathways and the six elements. In September 2015, DOL released a toolkit titled Career Pathways Toolkit: A Guide for System Development,10F

11 which provides a framework, resources, and tools for states and local partners to achieve the six key elements in order to develop, implement, and sustain career pathways systems and programs.

In April 2016, the career pathways initiative was expanded with increased support from 12 Federal agencies that jointly released a letter to foster better coordination of programs and services.11F

12 Additionally, in October 2016, DOL released Career Pathways Toolkit: An Enhanced Guide and Workbook for System Development12F

13 that further assists state and local leadership teams in operationalizing their career pathways systems through hands-on worksheets against each of the six elements. Applicants seeking funding under this FOA will be required to articulate a comprehensive strategy for promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities within their current career pathways system and expanding and enhancing that system utilizing the six career pathways elements as an organizational framework.

b. Disability Employment Initiative (DEI)

Since 2010, the Department has awarded over $126 million to 49 projects in 28 states under the DEI to improve education, training, and employment outcomes of youth and adults with disabilities by refining and expanding already identified successful workforce strategies.13F

14 This funding has facilitated significant efforts to improve the delivery of services to individuals with disabilities through the public workforce system, including efforts to: increase accessibility of the AJCs; improve employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities; expand capacity to serve individuals with disabilities; strengthen opportunities for training front-line and partner staff; maximize use of alternate forms of

11 The September 2015 toolkit is available at https://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/pdf/career_pathways_toolkit.pdf

12 The April 2016 letter is available at https://careerpathways.workforcegps.org/~/media/WorkforceGPS/careerpathways/Files/Career%20Pathways%20 Joint%20Letter%202016.pdf

13 The October 2016 toolkit is available at https://careerpathways.workforcegps.org/resources/2016/10/20/10/11/Enhanced_Career_Pathways_Toolkit

14 See https://dei.workforcegps.org/resources/2016/03/22/15/06/Disability_Employment_Initiative_Fact_Sheet_2015 https://careerpathways.workforcegps.org/announcements/2016/10/20/09/37/Career_Pathways_Toolkit_An_Enhanced_Guide_and_Workbook https://careerpathways.workforcegps.org/announcements/2016/10/20/09/37/Career_Pathways_Toolkit_An_Enhanced_Guide_and_Workbook https://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/pdf/career_pathways_toolkit.pdf https://careerpathways.workforcegps.org/%7E/media/WorkforceGPS/careerpathways/Files/Career%20Pathways%20Joint%20Letter%202016.pdf https://careerpathways.workforcegps.org/%7E/media/WorkforceGPS/careerpathways/Files/Career%20Pathways%20Joint%20Letter%202016.pdf https://dei.workforcegps.org/resources/2016/03/22/15/06/Disability_Employment_Initiative_Fact_Sheet_2015 assessment, such as discovery for individuals with significant disabilities; and increase partnerships and collaboration.

Starting in 2014, DOL Round V DEI grantees received funding to increase the participation of youth and adults with disabilities in existing career pathways systems and programs implemented in the AJCs. As described earlier, the career pathways approach provides a framework for weaving together adult education, job training, and postsecondary education services to address businesses’ workforce needs, and reorients existing education and workforce services (including those authorized under WIOA), from a myriad of different programs toward one “seamless” system focused on individuals’ postsecondary and economic success. As part of that effort, DEI grantees are required to leverage resources from the WIOA core programs as well as other program and partner resources to promote systems integration.

For DEI Round VIII, several key changes will be implemented compared to previous rounds. The most significant change is that this FOA has been restructured to focus on the career pathways framework to provide applicants with more flexibility on the innovative strategies they propose to make their existing career pathways system inclusive and accessible to individuals with disabilities. Other key changes include the following: 1) the disability population focus area of significant disability as introduced in Round V will not be an exclusive targeted population as applicants will now have the flexibility to incorporate this population within Adult or Youth with Disabilities focus areas; 2) in describing the statement of need, applicants must describe the need to enhance the existing career pathways system by addressing the issues needed to make it inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities; and 3) the period of performance has been shortened from 42 months in Round VII to 36 months in Round VIII.

As in previous rounds, DEI will continue to focus on expanding the number of public workforce entities that become ENs under the SSA’s TTW program. Under the TTW program, under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with SSA, ENs provide employment support services to beneficiaries, or “Ticket holders.” ENs receive milestone payments from SSA when Ticket holders they serve work and achieve certain benchmark earnings.

Becoming an EN can provide AJCs with a source of highly flexible funding that can be re-invested to provide pre-employment services, job coaching, benefits planning, and ongoing post-employment support services, among many other things.14F

15 Under this FOA, applicants are encouraged to consider using existing Administrative ENs to assist them in the process of becoming an EN.

Under the Administrative EN model, organizations with different strengths and weaknesses collaborate under an agreement they develop to form a network where the partners divide the EN functions and share in the SSA payments. An Administrative EN can

15 For additional information visit https://www.choosework.net/findhelp/ For additional information, refer to Training and Employment Notice (TEN) No. 02-14, https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=8525 https://www.choosework.net/findhelp/ https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=8525 support organizations such as the AJCs that may not be structured to or prefer not to fulfill the full range of necessary functions. Administrative ENs operate either by keeping a percentage of Ticket payments or charging a flat fee to providers within the network. In return the Administrative EN provides assistance on issues such as managing the suitability process for staff; handling or resolving payment issues; benefits counseling services; and other technical Ticket Program matters. This structure enables the direct service providers within the organization, i.e., the AJC, to focus on those services they best perform.

Alternatively, a state may choose to become an Administrative EN itself, or to have AJCs that are part of the pilot become ENs. A number of AJC operators have already become ENs through the DEI and are accepting Tickets for the provision of training or employment services. Full participation in the TTW program by the public workforce system can provide significant resources for services to individuals with disabilities, and can enhance funding and future sustainability of the DEI projects.

B. Program Authority

This program is authorized by Section 169 of WIOA.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.

We expect availability of approximately $15,000,000 to fund approximately 8 grants. The applicant may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $2,500,000. Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of Federal funds. In the event that additional funds become available, we reserve the right to use such funds to select additional grantees from applications submitted in response to this Announcement.

The Department intends to award at least one grant in each of the two population focus areas: 1) adults (ages 18 and older) with visible, non-visible, and significant disabilities, including those who have acquired disabilities in adulthood; 2) youth (ages 14-24) with visible, non-visible, and significant disabilities, including those who have chronic health conditions.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is 36 months with an anticipated start date of October 1, 2017.

This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• State workforce agencies (SWAs) eligible for funding under Title I of WIOA or for funding under the W-P Act.

• Entities described in section 166(c) of WIOA relating to Indian and Native American programs. These entities include Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities, Indian-controlled organizations serving Indians, or Native Hawaiian organizations. These applicants are not required to partner with Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs).

States that received DEI Round VII funds are not eligible for funding under this FOA.

The eligibility requirements above are incorporated in the Application Screening Criteria specified in Section III.C.1. In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, to receive full points in the competition, the organization applying (referred to throughout as the “lead applicant” or “applicant”) must identify and demonstrate the commitment of various partners at the state and local level, as described in greater detail in Sections III.B and IV.B.3.a.(2)(i).

The lead applicant will serve as the grantee and have overall fiscal and administrative responsibility for the grant, including any performance of subawardees. This responsibility may not be delegated. As part of their responsibility for the grants, lead applicants will be:

1) the point of contact with the Department to receive and respond to all inquiries or communications under this FOA and any subawards;

2) the entity with authority to draw down funds;

3) the entity responsible for submitting to the Department all deliverables under the grant, including all related technical and financial reports, regardless of which partnership member performed the work;

4) the entity that may request or agree to a revision or amendment of the grant or statement of work;

5) the entity with overall responsibility for carrying out programmatic functions of the grant, as well as the stewardship of all expenditures under the grant;

6) the entity responsible for coordinating with the national evaluator and national technical assistance provider; and

7) the entity responsible for working with DOL to close out the grant.

B. STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

State The lead applicant must partner with a number of entities at the state level (referred to below as the “DEI Project Leadership Team”), which collectively will provide project leadership to drive better integration of resources at the local level (see Section IV.B.3.a.(2)(i)). Applicants have flexibility as to the types of entities represented on the DEI Project Leadership Team, but in general, this team must include representatives of state-level agencies that are involved in the implementation of career pathways. Such agencies may include, but are not limited to:

• WIOA Title I-B – Adult, Youth and Dislocated Worker employment and training programs;

• WIOA Title II – Adult Education and Literacy;

• WIOA Title III W-P Employment Services; and

• WIOA Title IV-VR Services

Other partnerships that can be highlighted include, but are not limited to, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006; Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF);

Medicaid; Social Security; Mental Health; and Intellectual/Development Disability agencies.

To receive full points in the competition, the lead applicant must show evidence of substantial commitment and involvement from the entities identified on the DEI Project Leadership Team. In the event that an applicant is funded that did not include such evidence of substantial commitment in the application, the successful applicant will be required to furnish such documentation shortly after award as a condition of the grant.

Local The lead applicant must also partner with one or more LWDBs, which will implement grant activities at the local level to operationalize career pathways (see Section IV.B.3.a.(2)(i)).

For states with only one LWDB, the commitment of its sole LWDB fulfills this requirement.

Applicants are required to show the commitment of one or more LWDBs to receive full points in the competition. In addition, the applicant may choose to partner with a number of other entities at the local level; however, the addition of these partners will not result in additional points received in the competition. Such additional local entities may include, but are not limited to:

• One or more agencies with a strong focus on serving individuals with disabilities (the VR Agency and /or other disability-focused agency(ies);

• One or more community college(s), technical institution(s), four-year colleges/universities, or other education partners that will provide the education and training activities;

• One or more business or industry partners (such as business membership associations or Chambers of Commerce) that will participate in: defining the program strategies and goals; providing specific resources to support education and training; providing work-based learning opportunities; or implementing innovative employment strategies, when appropriate; and

• For projects that target youth, one or more local education agency(ies) (LEA) or other partners to facilitate the development of secondary, postsecondary, and career training.

In the event that an applicant is funded that did not include the required evidence of substantial commitment by one or more LWDBs in the application, the successful applicant will be required to furnish such documentation shortly after award as a condition of the grant.

C. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

This program does not require cost sharing or matching funds. Including such funds is not one of the application screening criteria and applications that include any form of cost sharing or match will not receive additional consideration during the review process.

Instead, the agency considers any resources contributed to the project beyond the funds provided by the agency as leveraged resources. Section IV.B.2 provides more information on leveraged resources.

D. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Application Screening Criteria

The applicant should use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package to ensure that the application has met all of the screening criteria. Note that this checklist is only an aid for applicants and should not be included in the application package.

We urge applicants to use this checklist to ensure that your application contains all required items. If your application does not meet all of the screening criteria, it will not move forward through the merit review process.

Application Requirement Instructions Complete?

The deadline submission requirements are met Section IV.C

Eligibility Section III.A

If submitted through Grants.gov, the components of the application are saved in any of the specified formats and are not corrupt.

(We will attempt to open the document, but will not take any additional measures in the event of problems with opening.)

Section IV.C

Application Federal funds request does not exceed the ceiling amount of $2.5 million Section II.A

SAM Registration Section IV.B.1

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Section IV.B.1

SF-424 includes a DUNS Number Section IV.B.1

SF-424A, Budget Information Form Section IV.B.2

Budget Narrative Section IV.B.2

Project Narrative Section IV.B.3

Abstract Section IV.B.4

Work Plan (sample in attachment 1) Section IV.B.4

2. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

Multiple applications from an applicant are allowed, but each application must select a specific-population focus, either: 1) adults (ages 18 and older) with visible, non-visible, and significant disabilities, including those who have acquired disabilities in adulthood; or 2) youth (ages 14-24) with visible, non-visible, and significant disabilities, including those who have chronic health conditions.

Although applicants may submit more than one application, applicants will only be eligible to receive one award under this competition. Should there be a scenario where multiple applications from a single applicant are highly scored for different population focus areas, the grant officer will make a decision about which application to fund.

If an applicant submits multiple applications for the same population focus area, only the most recent application will be reviewed for that population focus area.

If the most recent application for any population focus area is disqualified for any reason, we will not replace it with an earlier application.

3. Eligible Participants

a) Participants Eligible to Receive Training The intent of this FOA is to fund projects that serve individuals with disabilities. In order to be an eligible participant for this program, an individual must have a disability as defined in Section 3 of WIOA, which is aligned with Section 3 of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990.15F

b) Veterans’ Priority for Participants 38 U.S.C. 4215 requires grantees to provide priority of service to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services in any job training program directly funded, in whole or in part, by DOL. The regulations implementing this priority of service are at 20 CFR Part 1010. In circumstances where a grant recipient must choose between two qualified candidates for a service, one of whom is a veteran or eligible spouse, the veterans’ priority of service provisions require that the grant recipient give the veteran or eligible spouse priority of service by first providing him or her that service. To obtain priority of service, a veteran or spouse must meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Grantees must comply with DOL guidance on veterans’ priority. ETA’s Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 10-09 (issued November 10, 2009) provides guidance on implementing priority of service for veterans and eligible spouses in all qualified job training programs funded in whole or in part by DOL. TEGL

16 For additional information, refer to 42 U.S.C. 12102. Please note that the definition of individual with a disability is different with respect to the Vocational Rehabilitation program where it comes from the Rehabilitation Act. For purposes of the VR program, an individual with a disability is an individual who has a physical or mental impairment which for such individual constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and who can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from the provision of VR services.

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2010-title42/html/USCODE-2010-title42-chap126-sec12102.htm

No. 10-09 is available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

This FOA, found at www.Grants.gov and http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm contains all of the information and links to forms needed to apply for grant funding.

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Applications submitted in response to this FOA must consist of four separate and distinct parts:

(1) the SF-424 “Application for Federal Assistance;”

(2) Project Budget;

(3) Project Narrative; and

(4) attachments to the Project Narrative.

The applicant must ensure that the funding amount requested is consistent across all parts and sub-parts of the application.

(1) SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”

• The applicant must complete the SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (available at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf

• In the address field, fill out the nine-digit (plus hyphen) zip code. Nine-digit zip codes can be looked up on the USPS website at https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action

• The SF-424 must clearly identify the applicant and must be signed by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement. Upon confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF-424 on behalf of the applicant is considered the Authorized Representative of the applicant. As stated in block 21 of the SF-424 form, the signature of the Authorized Representative on the SF-424 certifies that the organization is in compliance with the Assurances and Certifications form SF-424B (available at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf ).

The applicant does not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.

In addition, the applicant’s Authorized Representative’s signature in block 21 of the SF-424 form constitutes assurance by the applicant of compliance with the following requirements in accordance with 29 CFR 38.25.

http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816 http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf

As a condition to the award of financial assistance from the Department of Labor under Title I WIOA16F

17 , the grant applicant assures that it will comply fully with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of the following laws: Section 188 of the WIOA, which prohibits discrimination against all individuals in the United States on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, and against beneficiaries on the basis of either citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States or participation in any WIOA Title I— financially assisted program or activity; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the bases of race, color and national origin; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities; The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs. The grant applicant also assures that it will comply with 29 CFR part 38 and all other regulations implementing the laws listed above. This assurance applies to the grant applicant's operation of the WIOA Title I-financially assisted program or activity, and to all agreements the grant applicant makes to carry out the WIOA Title I-financially assisted program or activity. The grant applicant understands that the United States has the right to seek judicial enforcement of this assurance.

- Requirement for DUNS Number

All applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities must have a DUNS number, and must supply their DUNS Number on the SF-424. The DUNS Number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. If you do not have a DUNS Number, you can get one for free through the D&B website: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do

Grant recipients authorized to make subawards must meet these requirements related to DUNS Numbers

• Grant recipients must notify potential subawardees that no entity may receive a subaward from you unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.

• Grant recipients may not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.

(See, Appendix A to 2 CFR section 25.)

- Requirement for Registration with SAM

17 The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (“WIOA”, Public Law 113-128) was signed into law on July 22, 2014. Most provisions of WIOA became effective July 1, 2015. Grants awarded under this FOA are authorized by the WIOA, and the terms of the WIOA will apply to these grants for the life of the grants.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do

Applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting an application. Find instructions for registering with SAM can at https://www.sam.gov

A recipient must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the applicant is required to review and update the registration at least every 12 months from the date of initial registration or subsequently update its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate, and complete. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply and to receive the award. If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time the Grant Officer is ready to make a Federal award, the Grant Officer may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

(2) Project Budget The applicant must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form (available at: http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf). In preparing the Budget Information Form, the applicant must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget request, explained in detail below.

Budget Narrative: The budget narrative must provide a description of costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A. It should also include a description of leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities.

Use the following guidance for preparing the budget narrative:

Personnel: List all staff positions by title (both current and proposed). Give the annual salary of each position, the percentage of each position’s time devoted to the project, the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant, and the total personnel cost for the period of performance.

Fringe Benefits: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.

Travel: Specify the purpose, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips, and other costs for each type of travel.

Equipment: Identify each item of equipment you expect to purchase which has an estimated acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit (or if your capitalization level is less than $5,000, use your capitalization level) and a useful lifetime of more than one year (see https://www.sam.gov/ http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf

2 CFR 200.33 for the definition of Equipment). List the quantity and unit cost per item. Items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are supplies, not “equipment”. In general, we do not permit the purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the grant.

Supplies: Identify categories of supplies (e.g. office supplies) in the detailed budget and list the quantity and unit cost per item. Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment” (see 2 CFR 200.94 for the definition of Supplies).

Contractual: Identify each proposed contract and specify its purpose and estimated cost. If applicable, identify any subrecipient agreements, including purpose and estimated costs. See Section VI.B.2.f. for more information on the distinction between contractor and subrecipient.

Construction: Construction costs are not allowed and this line must be left as zero. Minor alterations to adjust an existing space for grant activities (such as a classroom alteration) may be allowable. We do not consider this as construction and the applicant must show the costs on other appropriate lines such as Contractual.

Other: List each item in sufficient detail for us to determine whether the costs are reasonable or allowable. List any item, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere here.

Indirect Costs: If the applicant includes indirect costs in the budget, then include either

a) the approved indirect cost rate with a copy of the Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), a description of the base used to calculate indirect costs along with the amount of the base, and the total indirect costs requested, or

b) if the applicant meets the requirements to use the 10% de minimis rate as described in 2 CFR 200.414(f), then include a description of the modified total direct costs base (see 2 CFR

200.68 for definition) used in the calculation along with the amount of the base, and the total indirect costs requested based on the 10% de minimis rate. See Section IV.B.4. and Section IV.E.1. for more information. Additionally, the following link contains information regarding the negotiation of Indirect Cost Rates at DOL:

http://www.dol.gov/oasam/boc/dcd/index.htm http://www.dol.gov/oasam/boc/dcd/index.htm

Note that the SF-424, SF-424A, and budget narrative must include the entire Federal grant amount requested (not just one year). [If cost sharing or match is required, include the following sentence.] Applicants must also show cost sharing or match on the SF-424 (line 18b), SF-424A, and budget narrative.

Do not show leveraged resources on the SF-424 and SF-424A. You should describe leveraged resources in the budget narrative.

Applicants should list the same requested Federal grant amount on the SF-424, SF-424A, and budget narrative. If minor inconsistencies are found between the budget amounts specified on the SF-424, SF-424A, and the budget narrative, ETA will consider the SF-424 the official funding amount requested. However, if the amount specified on the SF-424 would render the application nonresponsive, the Grant Officer will use his or her discretion to determine whether the intended funding request (and match if applicable) is within the responsive range.

(3) Project Narrative

a. Preparing the Project Narrative

The Project Narrative must demonstrate your capability to implement the grant project in accordance with the provisions of this Announcement. It provides a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed project. It must be succinct, self-explanatory, and well organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

The Project Narrative is limited to 30 double-spaced single-sided 8.5 x 11 inch pages with Times New Roman 12 point text font and 1 inch margins. The applicant must number the Project Narrative beginning with page number 1.

We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process.

The following instructions provide all of the information needed to complete the Project Narrative. Carefully read and consider each section, and include all required information in your Project Narrative. The agency will evaluate the Project Narrative using the evaluation criteria identified in Section V.A. The applicant must use the same section headers identified below for each section of the Project Narrative:

(1) Statement of Need Applicants must describe, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the need for the grant award.

• Population Focus Area. Each application must select a specific-population focus (adults with disabilities or youth with disabilities) as described in Section II.A. Applicants must describe specific challenges people with disabilities in their state or participating local areas face in obtaining education/training, participating in existing career pathways programs, and entering employment opportunities. In addition, applicants must incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information for the population identified.

Applicants could consider describing the needs of people with significant disabilities within the target population of the state or relevant local areas in existing career pathways programs and in achieving competitive integrated employment outcomes.

• Targeted Industry Sector / Occupations. Applicants must provide a clear and compelling justification of the in-demand or emerging industries and occupations targeted by the proposed project. This includes providing relevant labor market information data from credible sources.

• Need to Enhance the Existing Career Pathways System. Applicants must describe the need to enhance the existing career pathways system, specifically describing the issues needed to make it inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities. This could include describing existing programmatic or policy challenges in accessing services.

(2) Project Design

Applicants must articulate a comprehensive, coherent, and feasible approach and work plan for promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the target population within their existing career pathways system utilizing each of the six career pathway elements:

(i) Build Cross Agency Partnerships and Clarify Roles

• DEI Project Leadership Team (State-Level). Applicants must identify the state-level entities making up the DEI Project Leadership team and how they will collaborate with those entities to carry out grant-related objectives, including the leveraging of funding, and the modification and expansion of programming, in alignment with the state plan. Applicants must explain how the entities on the DEI Project Leadership Team are involved in the implementation of career pathways within the state. Applicants have flexibility as to the types of entities included on the DEI Project Leadership Team; see Section III.B for examples of state-level agencies that could be included.

• Partnership with One or More LWDB(s). Applicants must identify which LWDB(s) will partner with the lead applicant to implement the project at the local level.

• Clarify Role of DEI Project Leadership Team and LWDB(s). Applicants must submit substantive detailed letters of commitment from state level entities making up the DEI Project Leadership Team and LWDB(s) (as outlined in Section III.B) that are already in place. Such letters of support must collectively demonstrate the commitment of each of these partners and the extent to which each partner understands its roles and responsibilities to support the proposal (see

Section IV.B.4 Attachments to Project Narrative for more information about letters of commitment).

(ii) Identify Industry Sectors and Engage Employers

• Business Outreach. Applicants must describe how they will conduct labor market analysis and how they will survey or engage key industry leaders from targeted industries and/or sector partnerships in order to identify the barriers employers face in recruiting, hiring, retaining, upskilling, and promoting individuals with disabilities.