FY24-WIC-WD-IP-RFA-P.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Workforce – Implementation Projects

FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year (FY) 2024

APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 1, 2024

ANTICIPATED PROGRAM FUNDING: $19,365,790

AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL AWARD

RANGE:

$150,000 - $5,000,000

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-WICWD-010853

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.244

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Assistance Listing Number (ALN): The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Workforce - Implementation Projects is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.244.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines

Task Description Deadline

Application: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, July 1, 2024 [Ref to Part I, C of this RFA]

Letter of Intent: Not Applicable Applicants Comments: Within six months from the issuance of this notice

(NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month)

Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recognizes research, education, and extension efforts will have the greatest impacts when programs are grounded in DEIA. NIFA is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility of programs and encourages individuals, institutions, and organizations from underserved communities to apply to funding opportunities as lead, co-lead, or subaward recipient(s), and to engage as leaders in the peer panel review process to support the development of strong networks and collaborations. NIFA encourages applications that engage diverse communities and have broad impacts through research, education, extension, and integrated activities to address current and future challenges.

Stakeholder Input. NIFA seeks comments on all Request for Applications (RFA) so it can deliver programs efficiently, effectively, with integrity, and with a focus on customer service.

NIFA considers comments to the extent possible when developing RFAs, and uses comments to help meet the requirements of Section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2)). Applicants may submit written comments to Policy@usda.gov. Please use the following subject line: Response to the WIC Workforce Implementation Projects RFA.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:7613%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section7613)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true mailto:Policy@usda.gov

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This notice identifies the objectives for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Workforce - Implementation Projects Cooperative Agreements, including project types, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests new applications for the Women, Infants, and Children Workforce Implementation Projects Cooperative Agreements. The amount available in FY2024 is approximately $19,365,790.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, hereafter referred to as WIC, is administered by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and serves to safeguard the health of eligible women who are pregnant, postpartum, and/or breastfeeding, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. WIC provides nutritious foods, information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care.

WIC Workforce Implementation Projects will align with the National WIC Workforce Strategy including approaches that will increase the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce and address barriers to recruitment and retention of WIC Staff. Each WIC Workforce Implementation Project will be expected to coordinate with the WIC Workforce Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center and develop outreach plans for engaging with WIC State and local agencies, Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and territories, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving Institutes (MSIs) and/or underserved communities. Engagement and outreach plans should incorporate activities and outcomes (e.g., Traditional Ecological Knowledge) that support the Strategy and result in a more diverse WIC workforce that provides high quality, culturally responsive care in a variety of different settings.

Implementation projects must respond to and implement components of the National WIC Workforce Strategy, assess and address regional and national priorities, and target critical workforce needs. After award, each WIC Workforce Implementation Project will work with the WIC WD ETA Center to develop an evaluation and reporting plan and metrics based on the National WIC Workforce Strategy to ensure engagement, alignment, and appropriate aggregation and reporting of data, and to engage in ongoing consultation with FNS and NIFA. Project implementors may also be asked to serve on a National WIC Workforce Advisory Workgroup to enhance sustainability of the National WIC Workforce Strategy implementation.

This work will be one component of the WIC outreach, innovation, and program modernization work authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA, P.L. 117-2, ). The WIC Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center will also participate in the overall ARPA WIC modernization evaluation led by FNS. Thus, each WIC Workforce Implementation Project, in cooperation with the WIC WD ETA Center, will participate in the overall ARPA WIC modernization evaluation led by FNS.

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/wic-national-workforce-strategy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF TABLES

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities C. Program Area Description

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Application Restrictions C. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application B. Content and Form of the Application C. Funding Restrictions

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process B. Evaluation Criteria C. Organizational Management Information D. Application Disposition

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information D. Limited English Proficiency

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

TABLE OF KEY INFORMATION

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Table 2: Documentation of Staffing Models and Recommendations Table 3: Nutrition Paraprofessional Projects for WIC Table 4: Scholarship/Funding Program(s) to support Training/Credentialing of WIC Staff Table 5: Development of Training Materials Table 6: Development of Training Model and Potential Pilot Table 7: Novel Proposals Table 8: Steps to Obtain Application Materials Table 9: Help and Resources Table 10: Key Application Instructions

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA, P.L. 117-2) provided USDA with $390,000,000 to carry out WIC outreach, innovation, and program modernization efforts to increase participation and benefit redemption. One aspect of WIC modernization is developing a diverse workforce that provides culturally responsive care to participants and addresses barriers to recruitment and retention of WIC staff. The WIC Workforce Implementation Project Cooperative Agreements will be supported through an Inter-Agency Agreement between FNS and NIFA using ARPA funds.

B. Purpose and Priorities The WIC Workforce Strategy (ALN 10.244) is part of a joint agency initiative between FNS and NIFA that is expected to cultivate comprehensive and sustained solutions for WIC workforce development and support. The joint agency initiative aims to strengthen the diversity and cultural competency and addresses barriers to recruitment and retention of the WIC workforce, with the ultimate goals of increasing:

1. WIC participation through reaching those populations that are eligible, but not enrolled;

and

2. WIC participants’ use of benefits and services, including nutrition education and breastfeeding support.

ARPA provided FNS with $390,000,000 to carry out WIC outreach, innovation, and program modernization efforts to increase participation and benefit redemption. To determine how it would invest these funds, FNS conducted more than 30 listening sessions with WIC stakeholders from around the country. FNS used this input, along with research gathered from the US Digital Service (USDS), to establish a goal-driven investment framework to increase WIC participation and retention and reduce participation and retention disparities in program delivery.

One of the pillars of the WIC modernization investment framework focuses on developing and supporting the WIC workforce. For decades, WIC clinics have strived to meet the comprehensive set of needs of their community while providing culturally responsive care.

During listening sessions, stakeholders conveyed that increasing diversity and cultural competency in the WIC workforce could potentially increase WIC participation and retention, particularly among historically underrepresented communities. Indeed recruiting, training, and retaining a WIC workforce that is representative of the WIC population is a promising approach to maximizing WIC’s full potential to support healthy development of infants and children, pregnancies, as well as postpartum recovery.

Stakeholders voiced support for workforce initiatives such as developing educational and career pipelines for WIC staff, providing resources and training to support improved cultural competency, and strategically addressing concerns around staff retention. Given the feedback received on this topic, FNS invested a portion of the ARPA funds into a collaborative effort that will support the WIC workforce. An important first step that FNS and NIFA took was to conduct formative research and develop a comprehensive National WIC Workforce Strategy (‘the Strategy’). This RFA and the WIC Workforce Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center RFA https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ2/PLAW-117publ2.pdf https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/special-supplemental-nutrition-program-women-infants-children-0 directly support the Strategy. Projects implemented under these RFAs may also serve as a workforce model for the broader nutrition education workforce at local, state agency, and federal levels.

The WIC Workforce Implementation Projects will implement priority areas established in National WIC Workforce Strategy to support the current and future WIC workforce. The Strategy highlights key needs across objectives that will result in:

1. A WIC program that is innovative in meeting the changing needs of families

2. A supported WIC Workforce

3. The ability to hire and retain the best talent.

4. Improved reach to populations that are eligible for WIC, but not yet enrolled.

5. Enhanced likelihood that WIC participants adopt nutrition education and breastfeeding support recommendations.

Additional projects developed to implement components of the Strategy must be developed with input from USDA, the advisory committee, and direct input from WIC State and local agency stakeholders through human-centered design and similar approaches, to ensure that all projects are realistic and feasible in WIC.

The WIC Workforce Implementation Projects will leverage existing systems and relationships to build local, state, federal, territorial, and Tribal capacity for WIC workforce development and do so in a manner that builds sustainability beyond the availability of ARPA funds. The WIC Workforce Implementation Projects are expected to engage with the respective WIC State and local agencies and aim to implement strategies consistent with the Strategy.

The WIC Workforce Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center will work with each implementation project grantee to develop an evaluation and reporting plan and metrics based on the Strategy and engage in ongoing consultation with FNS and NIFA. Additionally, the WIC Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center and WIC Workforce Implementation Projects will also participate in the overall ARPA WIC modernization evaluation led by FNS.

The Cooperative Agreement will be between NIFA and the Grantees. NIFA and FNS will provide additional context, content, and contacts, as needed, along with agency liaisons to address questions and help inform the process. NIFA will assign a National Program Leader (NPL) with appropriate expertise to monitor the project, make recommendations concerning planning and procedures to be followed and ensure that objectives are fulfilled. The NPL will work closely with the Grantees to facilitate communication with FNS, and others involved in the project including through regular virtual meetings. The NPL will also facilitate communication between the Grantees for the projects and those involved in other parts of the joint agency initiative to facilitate synergy in accomplishing the goals of the joint agency initiative. NIFA and FNS will be directly involved in reviewing all project plans to ensure that projects meet WIC’s needs. FNS must review in advance all surveys, questionnaires, or other research instruments that will be sent to WIC State and local agencies in advance. FNS will also review all resources developed by the Grantees and provide guidance and technical assistance as needed. All requests for information from WIC State and local agencies are subject to FNS review and approval and must include sufficient lead times for State and local agency response, to be provided by FNS.

Additional details will be noted in the Cooperative Agreement, once finalized. FNS must review at least two drafts and final deliverables for all materials that will be disseminated to State and local agencies and all materials that will be posted/made available publicly. This includes, but is not limited to, any presentation materials, website content, training and technical assistance resources, and deliverables in narrative/report form, including annual and final reports.

The WIC Workforce Implementation Projects are aligned with the following:

USDA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026 goals:

1. Strategic Goal 4: Make Safe, Nutritious Food Available to All Americans

2. Strategic Goal 6: Attract, Inspire, and Retain an Engaged and Motivated Workforce that’s

Proud to Represent USDA USDA Science and Research Strategy, 2023–2026 priorities:

1. Priority 3: Bolstering Nutrition Security and Health

2. Priority 5: Translating Research into Action

For a program informational webinar please visit the NIFA calendar for dates, event registration, and link. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any of the informational webinars listed, please contact the event host listed no later than 10 days prior to the event.

C. Program Area Description NIFA is soliciting applications for the WIC Workforce Implementation Projects under the following program areas:

1. Documentation of Staffing Models and Recommendations

2. Nutrition Paraprofessional Projects for WIC

3. Scholarship/Funding Program(s) to Support Training/Credentialing of WIC Staff

4. Development of Training Materials (and piloting in later years of the Cooperative

Agreement)

5. Development of Training Model and Potential Pilot

6. Novel Projects

As appropriate, The WIC Workforce Implementation Projects must align with the five recommendations outlined in the five-year National WIC Workforce Strategy developed to shape investments in supporting the current and future WIC workforce, support specific needs outlined by USDA, and support the overall goals of ARPA-funded WIC modernization.

1. Recommendation 1: Conduct a formalized WIC job study and market analysis

2. Recommendation 2: Develop long-term learning opportunities for frontline staff, supervisors, and managers

3. Recommendation 3: Develop continuous and systematic ways to understand the

WIC workforce perspective on core workforce engagement issues

4. Recommendation 4: Study and explore how policies and procedures affect quality

WIC services delivered to diverse families https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-fy-2022-2026-strategic-plan.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-science-research-strategy.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/calendar

The WIC Workforce Implementation Projects must work collaboratively with the Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center and the Advisory Committee. Projects are also expected to engage with the WIC State and local agencies and aim to develop inter-agency partnerships as appropriate. Projects must:

1. Be consistent with all applicable WIC regulations, policy and guidance (to include any waivers that are currently held by state agencies, e.g., waivers that allow for virtual services and remote issuance of WIC EBT benefits).

2. Begin with processes to ensure initial and continuous feedback from key stakeholders, especially users, are included,

3. Identify similar existing programs and determine which best practices and lessons learned should be incorporated into the specific project, following award and project approval.

4. WIC-specific projects must be incorporated into formative research. Formative research may also include similar programs that are applicable to the project but not currently being implemented in WIC, including but not limited to existing programs focused on other USDA nutrition assistance programs and other public health programs related to maternal and child health.

5. Include any specific existing programs that the grantee plans to include in formative research. FNS may also require specific known existing WIC state and/or local programs to be incorporated into formative research, as appropriate.

6. Deliver all documents in Plain Language in accordance with principles and guidelines outlined at PlainLanguage.gov.

7. Deliver products and resources throughout the life of the grant, as possible, rather than all at the end of the project.

8. All deliverables and dissemination plans, also subject to FNS review, must meet FNS needs to directly disseminate key deliverables and recommendations, as appropriate, directly to WIC State and local agencies.

a. FNS expects dissemination to include both written materials and other types of training and technical assistance, as appropriate.

b. FNS expects deliverables to include items that provide clear and preferably ongoing value (i.e., releases periodically throughout the grant rather than all at the end) to WIC such as toolkits, manuals, best practices, and other resources.

Projects must directly benefit WIC State and local agencies; however, they may also partner with other nutrition program systems, such as Cooperative Extension, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) to build local Tribal, and state capacity for WIC workforce development and do so in a manner that builds sustainability beyond the ARPA funding period.

USDA’s Needs for WIC Workforce Implementation Projects

Table 2: Documentation of Staffing Models and Recommendations Title Description

Program Code: WWSM Program Code Name: Documentation of Staffing Models and

Recommendations

ALN: 10.244

Grant Type: Cooperative Agreement Application Deadline July 1, 2024

Grant Duration: Up to 48 Months Anticipated # of Awards: 1

Maximum Award Amount: $5,000,000

Documentation of Staffing Models and Recommendations

A. One or more implementation projects shall research and document both State and local staffing models across WIC and similar public health or nutrition assistance programs.

This research must assess, at a minimum, all the following:

1. Authority to make changes to position descriptions, job titles, pay and benefits at the state and local levels, by the WIC State and/or local agencies or other state and local entities.

2. The steps on how WIC State and local agencies make these staffing changes while receiving the support of their current and future staff.

3. How Competent Professional Authorities (CPAs) are defined and utilized in different State agency models.

4. Pay and benefits by position, across staffing models.

5. Demographics of WIC staff relative to the communities they serve.

6. Similarities and differences across rural, urban, and tribal communities.

7. Use of contracted staff.

8. Use of remote staff.

B. Projects proposed under this scope must research and conduct a job study that explores work that must be performed at every layer of WIC deliver (State and local agencies) to identify specialized/key roles and explore/recommend consistent job titles that could be used in FNS guidance and adopted by State and local agencies.

C. In addition, once the job study is complete, the project must conduct a compensation analysis to determine the market value of different WIC specialized/key roles.

D. The research must address what is effective and what is not effective across staffing models currently being implemented in WIC in terms of key elements of the strategy.

1. The proposal must include how effectiveness will be determined, including but not limited to competitiveness of pay/benefits within the same geographic region, cost to operate within the same geographic region, efficiency of workflows, staff satisfaction and how well participants’ needs are met. and how well staffing models meet participants’ needs.

E. The research must include a set of recommended staffing models, along with considerations for improving/changing existing staffing models in terms of key elements of the strategy.

Projects proposed under this scope must include products (e.g., toolkits, how to videos, webinars) to assist WIC State and local agencies to assess their current staffing models against the new staffing models and make decisions about potential changes. These products must be appropriately disseminated to all WIC State and local agencies.

Table 3: Nutrition Paraprofessional Projects for WIC

Title Description Program Code: WWNP

Program Code Name: Nutrition Paraprofessional Projects for

WIC

ALN: 10.244

Grant Type: Cooperative Agreement

Application Deadline July 1, 2024 Grant Duration: Up to 60 Months

Anticipated # of Awards: 3 Maximum Award Amount: $150,000-1,000,0000

Nutrition Paraprofessional Projects for WIC

A. One or more implementation projects must research and document current “paraprofessional” staffing models across WIC. Projects must consider research findings on staff members considered paraprofessionals and recommend a new title for these staff (see letter I below).

B. Projects must develop and pilot paraprofessional projects to support nutrition services in WIC that are aimed at supporting staff without nutrition, public health, social work, nursing, or related degrees to get the necessary training to provide nutrition services to low-risk WIC participants.

C. Projects must reflect established best practices for developing and implementing paraprofessional projects for similar audiences in terms of demographics and subject matter, including but not limited to paraprofessional training programs for other USDA nutrition assistance programs and other public health programs related to maternal and child health.

D. Projects must develop competency based training and continuing education opportunities appropriate to assigned duties/roles within WIC, within an appropriate scope of practice and consistent with WIC regulations and policy (and applicable waivers).

1. The scope and content of paraprofessional projects must be consistent with current

WIC Nutrition Services Standards and Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA) guidance, and/or make recommendations based on findings.

2. FNS is most interested in paraprofessional models that train paraprofessionals to perform CPA duties for low-risk individuals and to screen and refer high-risk individuals for appropriate support.

E. Projects must have the ability to be scalable to multiple States and/or local agencies.

Although proposals may be tailored to one specific geographic area or local agency, the project must be developed with the potential for scalability later.

F. Projects must be tailored culturally as appropriate. Projects may be developed to focus on specific cultural groups that would have the potential to be implemented broadly (across multiple state agencies or regions), to fulfill WIC’s vision of moving toward a workforce that is hired from and representative of the community served.

G. FNS is particularly interested in models designed to operate in areas where recruitment of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and other credentialed practitioners is particularly challenging, especially rural and remote areas and tribal communities.

H. Paraprofessional projects must include the following at a minimum:

1. Training and supporting resources for prospective paraprofessionals.

2. Training and supporting resources for staff managing paraprofessionals, clinics, WIC local agencies, and WIC State agencies.

3. Evaluation of project effectiveness.

I. The term “paraprofessional” is currently used inconsistently across WIC State and local agencies. Staff who provide nutrition education and breastfeeding promotion and support, but are not registered dietitians (RDs), are often called paraprofessionals no matter what degrees they hold. USDA expects that job analysis projects centered on the WIC workforce will inform appropriate qualifications for paraprofessionals, but would like applicants to be aware of the multiple interpretations while assessing current programs and models.

Table 4: Scholarship/Funding Program(s) to support Training/Credentialing of WIC Staff

Title Description Program Code: WWSP

Program Code Name: Scholarship/Funding Program(s) to support Training/Credentialing of WIC Staff

ALN: 10.244

Grant Type: Cooperative Agreement

Application Deadline July 1, 2024 Grant Duration: Up to 60 Months

Anticipated # of Awards: 1 Maximum Award Amount: $2,000,000

Scholarship/Funding Program(s) to support Training/Credentialing of WIC Staff

A. One implementation project shall research and document scholarship/funding programs that currently prepare students for prospective WIC careers. This research must assess, at a minimum, all the following:

1. Current scholarship/funding programs targeting Black, Indigenous, and People of

Color (BIPOC) students.

2. Areas of study – including but not limited to nutrition, public health, maternal and child health, nursing, social work, and other majors that would prepare individuals to work in WIC.

3. Programs that currently prepare students for nutrition, maternal and child health, or other public health careers that lead to guaranteed term-employment (to pay back for funding education/training).

4. Demographics across programs described above to determine which proportion of scholarships/funding go to BIPOC students, and whether any programs described above only target BIPOC students.

5. Existing WIC, maternal and child health, and/or public health dietetic internships at the State and local level and employment/retention rates.

6. Availability of 2-year degree programs that would provide specialized skills to perform WIC duties, including but not limited to Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) programs and programs more likely to be available in rural, Tribal, and other underserved communities.

B. The research shall include both of the following types of programs: (1) programs to support undergraduate students prior to entering a career path and (2) programs that support continuing education for those already working in WIC to advance their careers, with priority on the latter.

C. The research must address what is effective and what is not effective across scholarship/funding programs currently being implemented to target BIPOC students, including programs currently in existence that have been developed by State and/or local WIC agencies.

D. Project should propose recommendations for establishing a scholarship/funding program to support WIC training/credential that target BIPOC students.

E. Projects proposed under this scope must include dissemination of findings and recommendations to WIC State and local agencies nationwide, including sustainable models.

F. Projects could propose and establish a pilot scholarship/funding opportunity based on the results of the research needs described above, to be completed under the same Cooperative Agreement.

Table 5: Development of Training Materials Title Description

Program Code: WWTM Program Code Name: Development of Training Materials

ALN: 10.244

Grant Type: Cooperative Agreement

Application Deadline July 1, 2024 Grant Duration: Up to 60 Months

Anticipated # of Awards: 1 Maximum Award Amount: $3,000,0000

Development of Training Materials

A. One projects must focus on development of training materials aligned with recommendations in the Strategy.

B. Implementation project(s) must include an inventory and review of existing training materials available on specific topics, prior to development of new materials.

C. All training materials must be developed and piloted based on human-centered design principles with current WIC State and local agency staff.

D. Training related to nutrition assessment and counseling must complementor improve upon USDA’s current VENA guidance and training and any other applicable USDA policy and guidance.

E. Training should be developed so that it could be included in FNS’s current or future training platforms, as well as State agency learning platforms.

Table 6: Development of Training Model and Potential Pilot Title Description

Program Code: WWTP Program Code Name: Development of Training Model and

Potential Pilot

ALN: 10.244

Grant Type: Cooperative Agreement Application Deadline July 1, 2024

Grant Duration: Up to 60 Months Anticipated # of Awards: 1

Maximum Award Amount: $5,000,000

Development of Training Model and Potential Pilot

A. One implementation project must focus on developing and piloting a training model based on the recommendation 2 in the Strategy.

B. The model must be developed based on human-centered design principles with current WIC State and local agency staff.

C. Peer coaching and/or mentoring is encouraged as part of the model.

D. The model must be replicable and transferrable.

E. Piloting in the later years of the project timeline is encouraged

Table 7: Novel Proposals Title Description

Program Code: WWNV Program Code Name: Novel Proposals

ALN: 10.244

Grant Type: Cooperative Agreement

Application Deadline July 1, 2024 Grant Duration: Up to 60 Months

Anticipated # of Awards: 2 Maximum Award Amount: $150,000-$1,000,0000

Novel Proposals A. USDA will also accept novel proposals, addressing one or more components of the

Strategy that haven’t explicitly been outlined in this RFA. Selection of novel proposals will be based on the following factors:

1. Merit and quality of proposal, including staffing that includes appropriate subject matter experts (SMEs)

2. Likelihood of accomplishing overall, ARPA funded WIC modernization goals

3. Likelihood of success in WIC

4. Availability of funds

Additional Program Area Guidance The WIC Workforce Implementation Projects may implement a variety of models and strategies based on the National WIC Workforce Strategy, but each project implementor is required to demonstrate:

1. Partnerships with local, state, Tribal, territorial, and public-private entities/partnerships that have the capacity to implement strategies aimed at WIC workforce development.

Examples that could be included are entities that support public health workforce development, community colleges, paraprofessional sponsoring organizations, organizations aimed at improving cultural connections to target communities, and other effective programs.

2. Alignment with WIC and, as appropriate, other USDA programs focused on food and nutrition security at the local, Tribal, state, regional, and national levels to ensure feasibility of models and strategies proposed for WIC State and local agencies and amplify sustainability of the project beyond period of performance.

3. Engagement with local, regional, and national partners with expertise and capacity to implement key components of the Strategy.

These requirements will foster innovation and accelerate WIC workforce development while potentially benefitting other USDA programs focused on food and nutrition security.

Implementation projects must have a management and outreach plan for engaging with WIC State and local agencies, underserved communities and/or Tribal Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) that ensures incorporation of DEIA outcomes and activities into their engagement and outreach plan (e.g., Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).

The WIC Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center will work with each WIC Workforce Implementation Project awardee to develop an evaluation and reporting plan and metrics that are coordinated with FNS’s ARPA WIC Modernization evaluation contractor. All data generated by the WIC Workforce Implementation Projects must be made publicly available and conform with best practices for data safety and accessibility, including ensuring it does not implicitly or explicitly release Personally Identifying Information (PII). Data assets must be made publicly accessible and/or any exemptions to the public access policy described in approved data management plans. Each project implementor must cooperate with, contribute data and information, and provide reports to the WIC WD ETA Center and FNS’s ARPA WIC Modernization evaluation contractor as requested. Furthermore, credit must be given to all evaluation and reports associated with the project (e.g., involvement/contribution/commitment of all contributors).

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/special-supplemental-nutrition-program-women-infants-children-0

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding The amount available for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Workforce Implementation Projects (WIC Workforce Implementation Projects) in FY2024 is approximately $19,365,790 for Cooperative Agreements. USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

The Automated Standard Application for Payments, operated by the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA.

B. Application Restrictions NIFA will evaluate applications using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA. Application for FY2024 is limited to the following application types:

1. New application: New applications will be evaluated using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA and are subject to the due dates herein (see Appendix III for definition).

C. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and maintain and effectively communicate and train their staff regarding policies and procedures. In the event an application to NIFA results in an award, the Authorized Representative (AR) assures, through acceptance of the award that the institution will comply with the above requirements. Award recipients must, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training. See Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for further information.

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3f96ab05cf1fc2d2713e5e46755e7696&mc=true&node=pt2.1.422&rgn=div5#se2.1.422_12 https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements Applicants for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children WIC Workforce – Implementation Projects must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Eligible institutions include:

1. State Agricultural Experiment Station;

2. colleges and universities, including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges, 1994 Land- Grant Institutions, Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities (see NIFA's Hispanic Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities page);

3. university research foundations;

4. other research institutions and organizations;

5. non-profit organizations;

6. Federal agencies;

7. Governmental agencies;

8. Tribal organizations;

9. national laboratories;

10. private organizations or corporations;

11. individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; or

12. any group consisting of two or more entities identified in 1) through 11).

Eligible institutions do not include foreign or international organizations.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed. NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching No Match Required - The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Workforce – Implementation Projects has no matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://nifa.usda.gov/hispanic-serving-agricultural-colleges-and-universities-hsacu https://nifa.usda.gov/hispanic-serving-agricultural-colleges-and-universities-hsacu https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this RFA electronically; no other method or response is accepted. The electronic application for this RFA and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101. Table 8 provides instructions on how to obtain an electronic application. Part III of the NIFA Grants Application Guide contains detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process. The NIFA Grants Application Guide is contained in the specific funding opportunity package or a sample of the guide can be found here. When applying for a NIFA award, it is important to reference the version of the guide that is included in the specific funding opportunity application package.

Table 8: Steps to Obtain Application Materials

Steps Action Step One: Register New Users to Grants.gov must register early with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application (Register Here).

Step Two:

Download Adobe

Download and Install Adobe Reader (see Adobe Software Compatibility for basic system requirements).

Step Three: Find Application

Using this funding opportunity numberUSDA-NIFA-WICWD-010853, search for application here: Opportunity Package.

Step Four: Assess Readiness

Contact an AR prior to starting an application to assess the organization’s readiness to submit an electronic application.

Table 9: Help and Resources

Grants.gov Support NIFA Support Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518-4726 Toll- Free or 606-545-5035 Email support: support@grants.gov Self-service customer-based support:

Grants.gov iPortal Key Information: Customer service business Hours 24/7, except federal holidays.

Email: grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Key Information: Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

B. Content and Form of the Application The NIFA Grants Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this RFA. The RFA overrides the NIFA Grants Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. Applicants that do not meet the application requirements, to include partial applications, risk being excluded from NIFA’s review. NIFA will assign a proposal number to all applications that meet the requirements of this RFA. Applicants must refer to the proposal number when corresponding with NIFA. Table 10 outlines other key instructions for applicants.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grants-101/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://get.adobe.com/reader/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/search-opportunity-package.html https://www.grants.gov/support https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide

Table 10: Key Application Instructions Instruction References

(All references are to the NIFA Grants Application Guide)

Attachments must be in a portable document format (PDF) format.

Part IV

Check the manifest of submitted files to verify attachments are in the correct format.

Part IV

Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission.

Part IV

Follow the submission instructions. Part IV

Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R.

Part V

Contact the Grants.gov helpdesk for technical support and keep a record of the correspondence.

N/A

Contact NIFA if applicant does not receive correspondence from NIFA regarding an application within 30 days of the application deadline.

N/A

SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances.

SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s). See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

R&R Other Project Information Form. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

1. Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the WIC Workforce Implementation Projects. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates.

2. Field 8. Project Narrative (PN). The PN must not exceed 15 1.5 spaced pages of written text, figures and tables with 1-inch margins. The font size for all text should be no smaller than 12 points, New Times Roman (the font size for figures and tables should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman). The page limits outlined here ensure fair and equitable competition. Appendices to the PN are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project. Do not add appendices to circumvent the page limit.

The PN must include all the following:

a. Introduction; The introduction must include a clear statement of the mission and long-term goal(s) of the proposed implementation project. Cite relevant previous accomplishments related to WIC as well as past accomplishments of similar work.

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/support https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide

b. Project goals and intended outcomes: Concisely present the goals, associated objectives and expected outputs and outcomes of the project necessary to address the mission and long-term goals(s) outlined in the introduction and to achieve the deliverables outlined in the RFA. Outcomes should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely, and should describe specific changes in knowledge, actions, or conditions that will occur because of the project.

c. Personnel, organizations, and resources involved: Describe in detail the relevant experience and qualifications of the project team serving WIC Local, State, National, and Tribal agencies, other Federal nutrition programs (e.g., EFNEP), Extension, underserved communities, or other similar audiences.

Proposals should demonstrate partnerships as required in the RFA, as well as community linkages and coalitions as appropriate. The project implementors to meet the requirements of the RFA must be clearly articulated. Describe ongoing or recently completed significant activities related to the proposed project, and their impacts.

d. Approach, including timeline: The activities proposed to meet the project requirements and deliverables must be clearly stated. Discuss how the proposed outcomes will be realized by providing a systematic description and timeline for how the most important steps or milestones will be accomplished and the level and types of involvement of key stakeholders and partners at WIC State and local agencies, including ITOs and territories. Attention should be given to DEIA principles and cultural responsiveness and competency to serve underserved geographic areas and populations and others participating in WIC. Cultural competency in this context is broader than race or ethnicity and includes socioeconomic and other cultural factors that may affect the efficacy of program services. In addition to these descriptions, it is recommended that a table be provided with implementation details for these activities, including: (a) specific steps and achievements; (b) timetables for milestones, and (c) entities involved at each step. These should align with the logic model that is also required.

e. Cooperation and institutional involvement: Provide a statement of commitment to communicating regularly with NIFA as per the Cooperative Agreement, FNS, the WIC WD ETA Center, other project implementors, and others who are part of the joint agency initiative where appropriate. Briefly indicate the commitment of other involved entities and organizations for the completion of this project. Letters of commitment should be included in the Appendices.

f. Logic Model: A logic model is required and is limited to one-page. Title the attachment as ‘Logic Model’ in the document header and save file as ‘LogicModel’. This logic model must align with what is proposed in this application.

g. Data Management Plan: A DMP is required for this program. Applicants should clearly articulate how the project director (PD) and co-PDs plan to manage and disseminate the data generated by the project. The DMP will be considered during the merit review process (see Part V, B of this RFA, NIFA’s Data Management Plan).

3. Field 12, Add Other Attachments. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects

R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded). See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for profile requirements, details about the biographical sketch, and suggested support templates.

R&R Personal Data. This information is voluntary and is not a precondition of award (see Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide).

R&R Budget. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

1. Indirect Costs (IDC) – See Part IV, C of this RFA for funding restrictions regarding IDC, and Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for additional information.

Supplemental Information Form. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

1. Field 2. Program to which the applicant is applying. Enter the correct program name and the correct program code. Accurate entry is critical.

Program Name: Documentation of Staffing Models and Recommendations Program Code: WWSM

Program Name: Nutrition Paraprofessional Projects for WIC Program Code: WWNP

Program Name: Scholarship/Funding Program(s) to support training/ credentialing of staff Program Code: WWSP

Program Name: Development of Training Materials Program Code: WWTM

Program Name: Development of Training Model and Potential Pilot Program Code: WWTP

Program Name: Novel Proposals Program Code: WWNV

2. Field 8. Conflict of Interest List. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

C. Funding Restrictions Fully Negotiated Rate. Applicants must use the current negotiated Indirect Cost (IDC) rate established by its cognizant Federal agency (the agency that provides the most funds). If awarded, the applicant will be required to produce a negotiated IDC rate agreement from the cognizant agency to recover IDC.

If the applicant does not have a negotiated rate and NIFA is the cognizant agency, the applicant may request an IDC rate. Applicants are not required to complete the IDC package during the application process and need only to calculate a rate to serve as a basis for requesting IDC.