PKG00251806-instructions.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR:

YouthBuild

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-ETA-19-04

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.274

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is August 6, 2019. We must receive applications no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

A pre-recorded Prospective Applicant Webinar will be available online approximately June 20, 2019 at https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm, under the YouthBuild Funding Opportunity Announcement heading and available for viewing any time after that date. While a review of this Webinar is strongly encouraged to support successful grant applications, it is not mandatory.

ADDRESSES: Address mailed applications to:

The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, Office of Grants Management Attention: Brinda Ruggles, Grant Officer Reference FOA-ETA-19-04 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N4716 Washington, DC 20210

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

https://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Program Purpose B. Program Authority

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Award Type and Amount B. Period of Performance C. Outcomes

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants B. Matching C. Other Information

1. Application Screening Criteria

2. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

3. Eligible Participants

4. Cost per Participant

5. Target Community Service Area

6. Industry-Recognized Credentials

7. Construction Plus Expectations

8. Travel and Technical Assistance

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. How to Obtain an Application Package B. Content and Form of Application Submission

1. SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”

2. Project Budget

3. Project Narrative

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative

C. Submission Date, Time, Process and Address

1. Hardcopy Submission

2. Electronic Submission through Grants.gov

D. Intergovernmental Review E. Funding Restrictions

1. Indirect Costs

2. Administrative Costs

3. Salary and Bonus Limitations

4. Intellectual Property Rights

5. WIOA Infrastructure

6. Use of Grant Funds for Participant Wages

F. Other Submission Requirements

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Criteria

1. Statement of Need

2. Training and Curriculum

3. Hands-On Meaningful Learning Activities Connected to Education and Training

4. Education, Career Counseling, and Supportive Services

5. Industry-Recognized Credentialing

6. Partnerships with Placement into Education, Employment, and Apprenticeships

7. Organizational, Administrative, and Fiscal Capacity

8. Past Performance - Category A Programmatic Capability

9. Past Performance - Category B Programmatic Capability

10. Budget and Budget Justification

11. Priority Consideration Points for Opportunity Zones

B. Review and Selection Process

1. Merit Review and Selection Process

2. Risk Review Process

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Award Notices B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. Administrative Program Requirements

2. Other Legal Requirements

3. Other Administrative Standards and Provisions

4. Special Program Requirements

C. Reporting

1. Quarterly Financial Reports

2. Quarterly Narrative Performance Reports

3. Quarterly Performance Reports

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Web-Based Resources B. Industry Competency Models and Career Clusters C. WorkforceGPS Resources D. SkillsCommons Resources

IX. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $85 million in grant funds authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Pub. L.

113-128) for YouthBuild.

Under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), DOL will award grants through a competitive process to organizations providing pre-apprenticeship services that support education, occupational skills training, and employment services to at-risk youth, ages 16 to 24, while performing meaningful work and service to their communities. In addition to construction skills training, YouthBuild applicants may include occupational skills training in other in-demand industries. This expansion into additional in-demand industries is the Construction Plus component, a priority in this grant competition.

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, DOL hopes to serve approximately 5,250 participants during the grant period of performance, with approximately 70 projects awarded across the country, depending on individual grant awards. Individual grants will range from $700,000 to $1.5 million and require a 25 percent match from applicants, using sources other than Federal funding. The grant period of performance for this FOA is 40 months, including a four-month planning period and a twelve-month follow-up period.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

This Announcement solicits applications for the YouthBuild program. The purpose of this program is to fund organizations to provide a pre-apprenticeship program model that encompasses education, occupational skills training, leadership development, and post-program placement opportunities to at-risk youth. YouthBuild is a community-based alternative education program for youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are high school dropouts, adjudicated youth, youth aging out of foster care, youth with disabilities, migrant farmworker youth, and other disconnected youth populations. The YouthBuild program simultaneously addresses multiple core issues important to youth in low-income communities: affordable housing, leadership development, education, and employment opportunities in in-demand industries and apprenticeship pathways. The YouthBuild model balances project-based academic learning and occupational skills training to prepare disadvantaged youth for career placement. The academic component assists youth who are often significantly behind in basic skill development in obtaining a high school diploma or State high school equivalency credential. The occupational skills training component prepares at-risk youth for apprenticeship and other career pathways and/or further education or training. It also supports the goal of increasing affordable housing within communities by teaching youth construction skills learned by building or significantly renovating homes for sale or rent to low-income families or transitional housing for homeless families or individuals.

Career Pathways, as defined in WIOA, are a key strategy to increase employment opportunities, including through the use of apprenticeships. In the DOL WIOA Final Rule at 20 CFR 688.120, YouthBuild programs funded by DOL are recognized as pre-apprenticeship programs. Grantees funded under this announcement are expected to develop program models that align with pre-apprenticeship as described in part 688 of the Final Rule:

Pre-apprenticeship, as defined in § 681.480, means a program designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”; 50 Stat.664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.)(referred to in this part as a “registered apprenticeship” or “registered apprenticeship program”) and includes the following elements:

1) Training and curriculum that aligns with the skill needs of employers in the economy of the State or region involved;

2) Access to educational and career counseling and other supportive services, directly or indirectly;

3) Hands-on, meaningful learning activities that are connected to education and training activities, such as exploring career options, and understanding how the skills acquired through coursework can be applied toward a future career;

4) Opportunities to attain at least one industry-recognized credential; and

5) A partnership with one or more registered apprenticeship programs that assists in placing individuals who complete the pre-apprenticeship program in a registered apprenticeship program.

Grantees awarded under this announcement should be actively developing the connection points described above to develop relationships and pathways that lead to employment and placements in registered and industry-certified apprenticeships.

To support this career pathway focus, DOL strongly encourages all YouthBuild applicants to develop program proposals that include occupational skills training in other in-demand industries in addition to construction skills training. This expansion into additional in-demand industries is referred to in YouthBuild as the Construction Plus component, and is a focus of this Administration. DOL offered Construction Plus in recognition that YouthBuild participants pursue fields beyond construction after exiting the program. The Construction Plus component creates an expanded opportunity for training in in-demand fields that benefits participants and local employers. Unlike the 2018 competition, DOL will not award priority consideration points for Construction Plus. Instead, only those applicants proposing Construction Plus are eligible to earn up to 100 points, while those not proposing additional training can earn a maximum of 95 points. All applicants have the opportunity to earn priority consideration points beyond the 95/100-point total based on the inclusion of designated Opportunity Zones in the application.

The Construction Plus model allows YouthBuild grantees to use DOL grant funds for training in additional in-demand industries with the goal of attaining industry-recognized certifications, hands-on work experience in the industry setting, and direct entry into apprenticeships or direct hiring into these industries. Since Construction Plus began in 2012, YouthBuild grant programs have used DOL funds to provide training in diverse industries and occupations, including healthcare, information technology, hospitality and retail services, and logistics. Construction Plus programs must use the same five pre-apprenticeship elements listed above to develop their Construction Plus pathways.

YouthBuild programs are required partners of American Job Centers, or one-stop centers.

All YouthBuild programs must adhere to the requirements of being a one-stop partner.

Partnering with American Job Centers provides an opportunity for YouthBuild grantees to develop the necessary partnerships for Construction Plus training. It also supports participant success through job development support, employer connections, basic assessment and referral services, supportive service provision, transition services for post-exit placements, and continuing education and training.

WIOA places a strong emphasis on the role of employers in successful workforce development strategies, and requires grantees to report on their effectiveness in serving employers. Grantees awarded under this announcement are expected to actively develop new employer relationships and strengthen existing connections, both in construction and non-construction industries. As a required one-stop partner, YouthBuild grantees will benefit from accessing and leveraging the strengths of the American Job Center network to support participant success by gaining access to employer networks, job development professionals with direct knowledge of local labor market needs, and additional support services.

Because one of the goals of the YouthBuild program is to provide affordable housing, all YouthBuild grant programs must offer construction skills training. Construction skills training is central to the overall philosophy of the YouthBuild program and can provide a visible transformational experience for young people who have rarely had opportunities to see tangible and positive results from their efforts. All applicants must demonstrate their commitment to increasing the supply of permanent housing for homeless and/or low-income individuals and families, which benefits the community where the affordable housing is built or renovated, and also provides youth with an opportunity to give back to their communities and work and learn in a team environment. YouthBuild grantees must accomplish this goal by having a sufficient number of youths enrolled in and completing the construction skills training component to enable the program to build or substantially renovate at least one unit of housing within the grant period of performance. Each program must also have access to a work site to use for on-site construction training. The construction work sites built and renovated by YouthBuild participants must only be constructed for homeless and/or low-income individuals and families to reside in. Please note that the requirements of the YouthBuild regulations at 20 CFR 688.730 require a minimum of a 5-year restrictive covenant.

To build or substantially renovate at least one unit of housing requires the new construction or substantial renovation of single-family homes or apartment/condominium/townhouse complexes, or the construction or substantial renovation of a single dwelling within a complex. Substantial renovation includes those activities that will provide YouthBuild participants with significant construction experience and knowledge that will prepare them for entry-level employment in the construction industry and are tied to the construction curriculum used by the program. Painting or cleaning apartments and simple weatherization tasks do not constitute substantial renovation or a sufficiently comprehensive level of construction training to satisfy the requirement that each program build or substantially renovate a unit of housing, and thus, do not qualify as work sites. For guidance on qualifying work sites, please refer to Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 06-15:

http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=6610.

Construction Plus programming is in addition to the requirement to provide construction training. For this reason, an additional evaluation sub-criterion is provided to assess the Construction Plus programming. Therefore, only applicants applying for Construction Plus programming consideration are eligible to receive a full 100 points.

The YouthBuild Final Rule (20 CFR part 688) was published on August 19, 2016. This regulation clarifies the requirements of the YouthBuild program as authorized under WIOA for program providers and participants. The regulation sets the standards under which YouthBuild program providers can carry out the goals of the program. The YouthBuild regulation can be found at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-08-19/pdf/2016- 15975.pdf. For more information on the YouthBuild program, please go to:

www.doleta.gov/youth_services/YouthBuild.cfm.

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

Section 171 of WIOA (Pub. L. 113-128) and 20 CFR part 688 authorize this program.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.

We expect availability of approximately $85 million to fund approximately 70 grants. You may apply for an amount ranging from $700,000 to a ceiling amount of up to $1.5 million. 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.

http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=6610 https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-08-19/pdf/2016-15975.pdf https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-08-19/pdf/2016-15975.pdf http://www.doleta.gov/youth_services/YouthBuild.cfm

Due to the complex nature of the YouthBuild program model and the interest in expanding YouthBuild beyond construction skills training, this FOA is focused on ensuring that an adequate number of established YouthBuild programs are funded while newly-funded YouthBuild programs establish effective operation and delivery of services outlined in each of the required program components. Therefore, DOL intends to award at least 50 percent of the total available funding for this grant competition to eligible applicants that the DOL YouthBuild program has previously funded and which have demonstrated success in the program. The remainder of funds will be awarded to qualifying organizations not fitting this description, further described in Section III.A. below.

DOL’s intended mix of grant awards will ensure that organizations with little experience with a DOL YouthBuild grant have an opportunity to implement a new DOL YouthBuild program, while allowing for continued support to the existing, previously-funded YouthBuild grants that have demonstrated success.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is forty (40) months with an anticipated start date of November 1, 2019. This performance period includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities. This includes:

• A planning period of up to four months to complete the planning milestones below;

• Two years of active program services (education, occupational skills training, and youth leadership development activities) for one or more cohorts of youth;

and

• An additional twelve months of follow-up support services and tracking of participant outcomes for each cohort of youth.

DOL requests that applicants describe, as an attachment to the application, the activities they expect to undertake during the planning period in order to ensure that they may begin active program services on schedule. Applicants may be prepared to start the active program services sooner than described above. If so, they must explain the rationale for why the planning period is less than four months; beginning active program services earlier does not shorten the period of performance. A minimum of five percent of total funds should be reserved for the twelve-month follow-up period. Grantees must fully expend grant funds during the period of performance. Therefore, applicants must carefully consider their ability to spend the level of funding requested during the allotted time while ensuring full transparency and accountability for all expenditures.

Grantees must ensure the achievement of the following milestones during the planning period:

• Hiring of, or committing of, additional core program staff (including the Project Director, Construction Trainer(s), Classroom Teacher(s), Case Manager(s), Job Developer(s) positions), if needed;

• Reaching out to the Local Workforce Development Board or American Job Center to discuss MOU requirements, such as the infrastructure costs and plans for collaborating with other required partners, including employers, at a minimum;

• Solidifying relationships with all necessary partners for the successful delivery of services;

• Initiating recruitment and outreach efforts for enrollment of participants;

• Reconfirming work site financing and access (see Section IV.B.4(b) for more information); and

• Reconfirming match sources and amounts.

Note that while the core program staff described above do not need to be in place at the time of application, DOL expects applicants to describe the plan to recruit and train for each core position.

The Federal Project Officer (FPO) will review the completion of these milestones within the grant’s planning period. DOL may subject grantees who have not met these milestones to corrective action.

C. OUTCOMES

DOL expects YouthBuild grantees awarded under this FOA to track and report on the primary indicators of performance as listed in WIOA Section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii). The YouthBuild program is held to the six WIOA primary indicators of performance for youth. These indicators are:

1) Education and Employment Rate – Second Quarter After Exit;

2) Education and Employment Rate – Fourth Quarter After Exit;

3) Median Earnings – Second Quarter After Exit;

4) Credential Attainment;

5) Measurable Skill Gains; and

6) Effectiveness in Serving Employers.

Additional information on these performance indicators can be found in Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 10-16, Change 1: “Performance Accountability Guidance for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I, Title II, Title III and Title IV Core Programs,” found at https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3255.

https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3255

This FOA evaluates the Category A applicants based on the Workforce Investment Act (predecessor to WIOA) performance indicators as that is the historical data available to assist in determining future grant success. However, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate success with the six performance indicators above, which will be used to evaluate applicants in future grant competitions.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants for these grants are private non-profit or public agencies. These organizations include rural, urban, or Native American agencies that have previously served disadvantaged youth in a YouthBuild or other similar program.

These agencies or organizations may include, but are not limited to:

• Community and faith-based organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit status;

• An entity carrying out activities under WIOA, such as a local workforce development board or one-stop center partner program;

• Educational institutions, including a local school board, public school district, or community college;

• A community action agency;

• A State or local housing development agency;

• Any Indian and Native American entity eligible for grants under Section

166 of WIOA, including Federally and other than Federally-Recognized Tribes, Native American non-profit organizations, and Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native organizations;

• A community development corporation;

• A State or local youth service conservation corps; and

• Any other public or private non-profit entity that is eligible to provide education or employment training under a Federal program and can meet the required elements of the grant.

Grantees who received funding from the FY 2018 YouthBuild competition [FOA- ETA-18-04] are funded through May 31, 2022, and these grantees (based on their unique Employer Identification Numbers) are not eligible to participate in this competition. Additionally, only one grant will be awarded to an individual organization. An individual organization must have a unique Employer Identification Number and its program services shall not be administered at the same location as any other YouthBuild grantee.

Among eligible applicants listed above, the applicant agency or organization must also maintain a local presence in any identified target communities to be served.

Applicant Types This FOA distinguishes between previously-funded applicants (those applicants that have previously received at least one YouthBuild grant from DOL which is complete or near completion and provides sufficient performance outcomes for review) and new applicants (those applicants that have never received a DOL YouthBuild award, have not received an award within the last seven grant cycles, or have not yet completed (or nearly completed) their first DOL YouthBuild grant). Carefully consider the requirements below and apply under the appropriate category (Category A or Category B), being sure to respond to the application instructions (project narrative, evaluation criteria, and attachments) that correspond to your category.

This FOA refers to previously-funded applicants as “Category A applicants.” DOL intends to award at least 50 percent of the available grant funds to applicants in Category A. A Category A applicant must meet the following requirements, as of the date of publication of this FOA:

a) At least one of the applicant’s previous YouthBuild grants must have been awarded from a competition that took place in FY 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2015;

and

b) The applicant must not have received an award from the FY 2018 (FOA-ETA- 18-04) competition.

Note that applicants previously funded by DOL’s YouthBuild program, but not within the past seven grant competitions (i.e. the applicant has not received a YouthBuild award since FY 2011 or earlier), will be considered as new applicants who must apply under Category B. This will provide applicants who have not been funded under the YouthBuild program in recent years to demonstrate growth and increased success in serving disconnected youth through improved organizational capacity, implementation of best practices, and more relevant performance outcomes than those available prior to FY 2012.

This FOA refers to new applicants as “Category B applicants.” DOL intends to award up to 50 percent of grant funds for awards to applicants in Category B. All applicants that do not meet the requirements for Category A above must apply as Category B. Category B applicants fall into one of these categories:

a) Applicants that did not receive a YouthBuild award from the FY 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2015 competition, but received a DOL YouthBuild award from one or more of the following grant competitions: FY 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016, or 2017; or

b) Applicants that have never received a DOL YouthBuild award.

Grantees that were funded by DOL for the first time in FY 2016 or 2017 are included with new applicants because DOL will not have sufficient information to fairly evaluate their application against previously-funded applicants. Due to the long-term nature of implementing the WIOA performance indicators, there are not yet sufficient data on these new outcomes against which to evaluate the 2016 or 2017 grants. Further, during this competition, the 2017 grantees will not have completed their grant’s active service cycle (as defined by the two-year period during which they are enrolling and serving active participants).

As noted in the previous section, grantees funded in FY 2018 (FOA-ETA-18-04), regardless of any previous grant awards from DOL for YouthBuild funding, are not eligible to participate in this competition under Category A or Category B and should not respond to this FOA. The following chart summarizes the requirements specified in this section:

Applicant Type: Category A Category B Not Eligible to Apply

Grant Classes Included:

Those funded at least once from a FY 2012, 2013, 2014, or

2015 competition

• FY 2016 or 2017 First-Time Grantees

• Applicants last funded by DOL’s YouthBuild program in FY 2011 or earlier

• Applicants last funded in FY 2011 or earlier prior to receiving a FY 2016 or 2017 grant award

• Those never funded by the DOL YouthBuild program

Any applicant who received an FY

2018 DOL-funded YouthBuild grant

Percent of Grant Funds Available: At least 50 percent Up to 50 percent N/A

Furthermore, applicants will receive priority consideration of two (2) bonus points if the applicant has at least one census tract in their service area designated by the Secretary of Treasury as a qualified opportunity zone; applicants will not receive additional bonus points for more than one opportunity zone in their service area.

For more information on opportunity zones, go to:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/opportunity-zones-frequently-asked-questions.

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fnewsroom%2Fopportunity-zones-frequently-asked-questions&data=02%7C01%7CHunt.Jeff.M%40DOL.GOV%7C64a367a78f3243c8eba108d698318b4f%7C75a6305472044e0c9126adab971d4aca%7C0%7C0%7C636863735889814369&sdata=gFVGjn1QFK52Ii7xNLeVFDh6lugNwRQYhd3Dui3ZlfM%3D&reserved=0

B. MATCHING

This program requires cost sharing or matching funds. Such funds may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions and equal to 25 percent of the total Federal share of costs. Any resources contributed to the project in addition to cost sharing or matching funds will be considered leveraged resources. Section IV.B.2 provides more information on leveraged resources.

To be allowable as part of match, an expenditure must be an allowable charge for Federal grant funds and considered necessary and reasonable to accomplish the project or program objectives. DOL will make determinations of allowable costs in accordance with the applicable Federal Cost Principles as indicated in Section IV.E.

If the cost would not be allowable as a grant-funded charge, then DOL cannot count it toward the applicant’s matching funds.

The recognition of documentation of match has changed since the release of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards: Final Rule at 2 CFR part 200 and OMB’s approved exceptions for DOL at 2 CFR Part 2900.

2 CFR Part 2900.8 Cost sharing or matching states that: In addition to the guidance set forth in 2 CFR 200.306(b) for Federal awards from the Department of Labor, the non-Federal entity accounts for funds used for cost sharing or match within their accounting systems as the funds are expended. It is no longer sufficient or adequate to receive and report monies as match; the monies must be expended on the program in order for it to be counted as match. Expenditures of match funds must be reported on the recipient share section of the ETA-9130 Form.

Additionally, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.306, match amount must be verifiable from the non-Federal entity’s records, not included as contributions for any other Federal award, are necessary and reasonable for accomplishment of project or program objectives and not provided by the Federal government under another Federal award.

DOL encourages applicants to leverage additional resources beyond the required match to supplement grant activities. Applicants must count and document as leveraged resources any cash or in-kind commitments beyond 25 percent of the grant award amount required as matching funds.

Applicants should pay special attention to the requirements regarding match sources listed in TEGL 05-10, Change 1, “Updated Guidance on Match and Allowable Construction and Other Capital Asset Costs for the YouthBuild Program,” as well as the YouthBuild Selected Cost Items attachment, both available at https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=3801.

For the purposes of the grant application, match letters of commitment must contain:

• Letterhead of contributing agency;

• Written signature of authorized individual at the contributing agency, dated between the publication date and application date of this FOA;

• Total dollar value of commitment, per year of grant and full period of performance;

• The source of match funds; and

• Detailed calculations showing how the total dollar value was derived o For match based on participants served, the calculation should be: __ participants enrolled x ___ cost of training/class/session per participant per year x __years of the commitment = total commitment Example: XYZ Community College is committing 10 slots per year in a computer programming class. The match commitment letter must read: 10 slots X $500 per slot x 2 years = $10,000 o For match based on staff time, the calculation should be: __ hours per year (or percentage of FTE) x __hourly rate (or annual salary) x __ years of commitment = total commitment Example: Applicant is committing Executive Director for 20% of the FTE over the life of the grant. The match commitment letter must read: 20% x $75,000 per year x 3 years = $45,000 o For match based on a set resource, the calculation should be: __ monthly rate x __ months per year x __ years of commitment = total commitment Example: ABC Organization is committing office space for the program. The match commitment letter must read: 800 square feet x $2.00/sq. ft. x 12 months x 3 years = $57,600.

These letters of commitment are critical during the application process but are not sufficient, nor do they meet the supporting documentation requirements of matching as specified in 2 CFR 200.306. DOL recognizes match at the time it is expended as specified at 2 CFR Part 2900.8 and not when it is earned or received.

Additionally, the grant recipient must apply the same supporting documentation requirement to tracking match expenditures as it would grant expenditures.

Matching Waiver for U.S. Insular Areas, Pursuant to 48 U.S.C.

§1469a(d)Pursuant to 48 U.S.C. § 1469a(d), for the purposes of this FOA, DOL does not require any match for grants made to the governments of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana

Islands. Accordingly, DOL does not require these areas to include a match commitment in their applications and these applications will not be screened out on that basis. However, even though DOL does not require matching funds from these areas, it encourages these areas to leverage resources, including dollars from Federal sources.

C. OTHER INFORMATION

1. Application Screening Criteria You 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 you 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.2

Application Federal funds request is within the grant award range of $700,000 to $1.5 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-424 lists the cost sharing or match amount on lines 18b-f. Section IV.B.2

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

Budget Narrative Section IV.B.2

Match Narrative (component of Budget Narrative) Section IV.B.2

Project Narrative Section IV.B.3

Separate Work Site Description(s) (ETA-9143) with required attachments for each work site

(no more than 3 work sites should be submitted)

Section

IV.B.3.A(3)

2. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

We will consider only one application from each organization. If we receive multiple applications from the same organization, we will only consider the most recently received application that met the deadline. If the most recent application 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 provide education/training services to any individual who:

1) Is between the ages of 16 and 24 on the date of enrollment; and

2) Is a member of a low-income family, and/or a youth in foster care (including youth aging out of foster care), and/or an offender, and/or a youth who is an individual with a disability, and/or a child of an incarcerated parent, and/or a migrant youth; and

3) Is a school dropout, or an individual who was a school dropout and has subsequently reenrolled (as provided in WIOA Sec. 171(e)(1) Eligible Participants);

As it relates to determining which youth are considered out-of-school youth, DOL does not consider providers of Adult Education under YouthBuild programs to be “schools.” Therefore, WIOA Youth programs may consider a youth to be an out-of-school youth for purposes of WIOA Youth program eligibility if they are attending Adult Education provided under YouthBuild.

Up to, but not more than, 25 percent of the participants in the program may be youth who do not meet criteria 2 or 3 above, but they must:

• Be basic skills deficient, despite attainment of a high school diploma or its State-recognized equivalent; or

• Have been referred by a local secondary school for participation in a YouthBuild program leading to the attainment of a high school diploma.

NOTE: Male participants aged 18 or older must register for the U.S. Selective Service System (www.sss.gov) before services can be provided. If they turn 18 while participating, they must register at that time.

http://www.sss.gov/

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

This guidance applies to programs funded under WIOA. For additional information on veteran’s priority of service and WIOA, please see TEGL 19-

16. TEGL 19-16 is available at https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3851

4. Cost per Participant

DOL expects that the cost per participant will be between $15,000 and $18,000, and must not exceed $18,000. DOL calculates the expected cost-per-participant by dividing the total DOL grant award by the number of participants the grantee expects to enroll.

5. Target Community Service Area

Please note that DOL evaluates applications on the need of the proposed service area. For YouthBuild programs, DOL considers not only the need for the services to youth participants in this area, but also the area’s need for affordable housing.

Applicants must refer to one contiguous service area or closely located communities within a metropolitan service area, defined by the zip codes to be served. If an applicant proposes to serve multiple service areas that are not contiguous or closely located, they must document that there is a local organizational presence (office or office sharing agreement with a non- YouthBuild organization) in a physical space sufficient to provide program services, including work site access, within each service area proposed.

Applicants should provide, as a separate attachment, a map of the zip codes being served, as produced by https://www.unitedstateszipcodes.org/ or a similar web site.

http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2816 https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3851 https://www.unitedstateszipcodes.org/

DOL expects applicants to provide services only within their proposed service area(s), both in terms of recruitment and enrollment of youth and the work sites used by grantees for construction training. Grantees may, however, recruit and enroll up to 20 percent of eligible youth from beyond the targeted service area, if necessary. Work sites must be within a reasonable commuting distance of the target community at a minimum but grantees should focus on securing work sites within the target community where possible.

6. Industry-Recognized Credentials

Participants in the YouthBuild program are expected to attain a stackable and portable credential, certification, or degree that employers recognize and use in hiring decisions. A credential is considered stackable when it is part of a sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time and move an individual along a career pathway or up a career ladder. A credential is considered portable when it is recognized and accepted as verifying the qualifications of an individual in other settings - either in other geographic areas, at other educational institutions, or by other industries or employing companies.

Refer to guidance from TEGL 15-10 (http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL15-10.pdf) regarding industry-recognized credentials. The term credential refers to an attestation of qualification or competence issued to an individual by a third party (such as an educational institution or an industry or occupational certifying organization) with the relevant authority or assumed competence to issue such a credential.

WIOA includes a credential attainment performance indicator for which YouthBuild programs will be accountable. The WIOA Final Rule and TEGL 10-16, Change 1 (https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3255) “Performance Accountability Guidance for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I, Title II, Title III and Title IV Core Programs,” define the credential attainment measure. Any credential proposed in the application that is determined not to qualify for the purposes of the credential attainment measure will require a modification to the grant agreement after award.

Examples of credentials that may qualify include:

• Educational Diplomas and Certificates (typically for one academic year or less of study);

• Educational Degrees, such as an associate’s (2-year) or bachelor’s (4-year) degree;

• Apprenticeship Certificate;

• Occupational Licenses (typically, but not always, awarded by State government agencies); and

• Industry-recognized or professional association certifications, also known as personnel certifications.

http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL15-10.pdf

7. Construction Plus Expectations

As described previously, all YouthBuild applicants are strongly encouraged to expand into Construction Plus programming. Construction Plus allows programs to meet the needs of employers in high-growth industries locally, while also meeting the diverse needs and interests of youth served.

Construction Plus is an intentional approach to training youth that aligns with the traditional construction model of YouthBuild while allowing for the development of training programs in a diversity of other in-demand fields as well. In choosing to provide this additional YouthBuild component, DOL wants applicants to clearly understand what Construction Plus encompasses.

One goal of the Construction Plus model is to use the strengths of the pre-apprenticeship model and provide training in in-demand industries for participants who are not interested in pursuing a construction career or in local areas where construction may not be as much of a growth industry as other fields. In order to be considered a Construction Plus program, YouthBuild grantees must provide additional industry training, either directly by the applicant or through a contract in which DOL grant funds are used in support of the training, industry-recognized certification attainment, training providers, or staff. YouthBuild funds may also pay for stipends or subsidized wages during the required Construction Plus work experience. The Construction Plus component must also include a focus on training for the attainment of industry-recognized certification. Note that some YouthBuild programs and applicants may have strong referral partnerships that allow them to refer YouthBuild participants to training partners focused on non-construction sectors during or after exit. However, this is not Construction Plus and is instead a referral partnership or a placement outcome, depending on when the partner services occur.

Programs that propose to provide additional certifications that do not rise to the level of industry-recognized credentials described above, such as CPR or ServSafe, are not providing a Construction Plus component and cannot count those credentials as participant outcomes. Programs that are proposing to do specialized construction industry training, such as weatherization, solar paneling, and green building are also not doing Construction Plus, as these are still considered to be part of the construction industry and are therefore, a component of the traditional YouthBuild program model. DOL recommends that applicants review TEGL 15-10, “Increasing Credential, Degree, and Certificate Attainment by Participants of the Public Workforce System” for additional information on qualifying credentials. This TEGL describes the attributes of qualifying industry-recognized credentials and can be found at https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2967. DOL also recommends that applicants review TEGL 07-14, Change 1, “Updated Guidance for Implementing the Construction Plus Component of the YouthBuild Program, as authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).” This TEGL includes a synopsis of what Construction Plus entails, including how Construction Plus should align to a pre-apprenticeship framework and key considerations for determining viable industries and credential pathways, and can be found at https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=5631.

A pre-recorded Construction Plus Webinar, Construction Plus Framework:

Overview and Strategies for Program Alignment, is available to the public online at:

https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/sitecore/content/global/events/2018/05 /01/12/18/YouthBuild-Series-Construction-Plus-Framework-Overview-and- Strategies-for-Program-Alignment to learn more about Construction Plus programming to support successful grant applications.

8. Travel and Technical Assistance

All applicants should include in their budget funds to cover travel to DOL-sponsored technical assistance training events, as required. DOL expects YouthBuild programs to be able to attend any DOL-sponsored (not to be confused with YouthBuild USA-sponsored) training events, which may occur in each year of program operation. This could include a national New Grantee Orientation during the first year of their grant award; a Management Information System (MIS) training in the first year of grant award and as new staff are hired; construction train-the-trainer events, as needed; and a regional peer-to-peer training event each year which may be held in any of the six ETA regional office cities.

Applicants should budget for different levels of staff to obtain any needed specialized training, such as that offered either at learning exchanges or in specific training programs. For example, DOL offers construction training certification several times a year in various locations across the country. In addition to sending the construction supervisor, grantees may consider sending the classroom instructor(s) as well, to create stronger connections between educational and construction components of YouthBuild programs.

Applicants may also budget grant funds for participation in other non-DOL sponsored events, such as those sponsored by YouthBuild USA or other government or non-governmental entities. Applicants must only allocate funds to travel outside of DOL-sponsored events if the amount is reasonable and the event will provide a direct benefit to the program.

https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/sitecore/content/global/events/2018/05/01/12/18/YouthBuild-Series-Construction-Plus-Framework-Overview-and-Strategies-for-Program-Alignment https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/sitecore/content/global/events/2018/05/01/12/18/YouthBuild-Series-Construction-Plus-Framework-Overview-and-Strategies-for-Program-Alignment https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/sitecore/content/global/events/2018/05/01/12/18/YouthBuild-Series-Construction-Plus-Framework-Overview-and-Strategies-for-Program-Alignment

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

This FOA, found at www.Grants.gov and https://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, composed of the SF-424A and Budget Narrative;

3. Project Narrative; and

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative.

You 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”

• You must complete the SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1.

• 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1). You do not need to submit the SF-424B with the application.

In addition, subject to the provisions of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), 42 U.S.C. Section 2000bb, 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 the WIOA 188 rules issued by the Department at 29 CFR 38.25 which includes:

http://www.grants.gov/…