revised hvrp py15-01 sga.docx

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Application for Urban and Non-Urban Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) for Program Year (PY) 2015, July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

Announcement Type: Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) Funding Opportunity Number: SGA -VETS-15-01/PY 2015 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.805 Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of the application under this announcement is 30 days from the date of publication on www.Grants.gov. Application must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Addresses: Applicants may apply electronically at www.Grants.gov. Instructions for electronic applications are in section IV. A. of this SGA.

Mailed applications must be addressed to:

The U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, Grant Officer Reference SGA –VETS-15-01 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S-4307 Washington, DC 20210 For complete application and submission information, including online application instructions, please reference section IV.

Executive Summary:

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), announces the availability of approximately $4 million in grant funds authorized by Title 38 of United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2021, which provides that the “Secretary of Labor [the Secretary] shall conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to provide job training, counseling, and placement services (including job readiness and literacy and skills training) to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force.” VETS expects to award approximately 19 HVRP grants in program year 2015. HVRP grants address two objectives: to provide employment services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans.

Applications proposing to serve homeless veterans under this Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) solicitation will fall into one of two categories: Urban or Non-Urban geographical areas. Applicants proposing to serve homeless veterans on Native American tribal lands are encouraged to apply. Grant awards will range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $300,000 for an Urban grant and a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $200,000 for a Non-Urban grant. Grants awarded under this solicitation will have a twelve (12) month period of performance and may be considered for additional years of funding depending upon funding availability and satisfactory performance. Though the period of performance is noted as 12 months, each grant year will require an additional 9 months of follow-up and reporting after the active performance period.

Eligible applicants include state and local Workforce Investment Boards (SWIBs/LWIBs), local public agencies, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), for-profit/commercial entities, and non-profit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations.

This solicitation contains all the information and forms necessary to apply for grant funding under the HVRP. USDOL may publish future addenda to this solicitation on www.Grants.gov. All applicants must check www.Grants.gov regularly to ensure that they have the latest information regarding any updates to this solicitation.

This SGA provides background information on HVRP and identifies the critical elements that applicants must include within their proposals in order to be responsive to this solicitation. It also describes the application submission requirements, the process that eligible applicants must use to apply for funds covered by this solicitation, and how grantees will be selected.

I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Program Purpose The purpose of this program is to provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans

Successful applicants will propose programs that expedite the employment of eligible homeless veterans by providing job-driven training, placement services, counseling, supportive services, and other assistance. Applicants are encouraged to design a program that addresses the multitude of challenges associated with homeless veterans and one that is responsive to the employment and support service needs within the local community. Applicants must actively engage with industry, employers and employer associations to identify the skills needed for in-demand jobs and careers.

VETS seeks applicants that can provide services through a client-centered case management approach, who can collaborate and network with federal, state, local, and tribal organizations to effectively target resources toward assisting homeless veterans, and to deliver job-driven training for skills that are in-demand by local employers. More specifically, successful applicants will demonstrate the following:

· Ability to define, develop and execute clear strategies and obtainable goals for job-driven training, employment, and employment retention by homeless veterans, including chronically homeless veterans.

· Ability to design, develop, and execute programs that assist eligible veterans by providing or collaborating with other entities to deliver job-driven training based on Labor Market Information (LMI) in the proposed area. LMI describes current and projected local, regional, state and national labor markets, such as the number and types of available jobs, their characteristics, and the characteristics of the labor supply. LMI can be used to guide jobseekers in choosing which fields of study, training and credentials to pursue. Examples of the use of LMI include using job openings data to strategically identify employer partners, and analyzing labor market projections and the characteristics of regional labor market to conduct skill gap analysis.

· Ability to provide job placement and retention services.

· Ability to provide counseling, mentoring, and referrals to support services for housing, physical and mental health services to facilitate the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force.

· Ability to collaborate with experienced public agencies, private non-profit organizations, private businesses, community-based organizations, and colleges and universities that have an understanding of the barriers to employment that are unique to homeless veterans and that are familiar with the labor market in the area to be served.

· Ability to collaborate with federal agencies, American Job Centers, local employers and industries, and the local Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH).

· Ability to provide services to female homeless veterans and veterans with families.

B. Program Authority This program is authorized by 38 U.S.C. Section 2021.

II. Award Information A. Award Type and Award Amount VETS anticipates that approximately $4 million will be available for Urban and Non-Urban grants with awards ranging from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum award of $300,000 for each Urban grant and a minimum award of $100,000 to maximum award of $200,000 for each Non-Urban grant. Urban areas are the 75 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) in population according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The list of those 75 urban areas can be found in Appendix E. Non-Urban areas are all other areas. Applicants must indicate in the abstract attached to the technical proposal whether the application is for an Urban or Non-Urban grant award.

USDOL reserves the right to negotiate the amounts it will award under this competition. Please note that VETS will consider applications exceeding the maximum award amounts as non-responsive and they will receive no further consideration in the evaluation process. If there are any additional program funds available, USDOL reserves the right to select for funding the next highest scoring eligible applicant(s) on the competitive list developed from this solicitation as late as September 2015.

B. Period of Performance The period of performance will be for the twelve (12) month period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, unless modified by the Grant Officer. The follow-up period of performance will be for nine (9) additional months, or the period from July 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017. VETS expects that successful applicants will begin program operations under this solicitation on July 1, 2015. Grantees must obligate all program funds (including all funds to be used for follow-up activities) by June 30, 2016. For an additional 9 months, from July 1 2016 to March 31, 2017, grantees must follow-up and report on HVRP participants that entered employment during the active performance period.

C. Additional Year Funding Should Congress appropriate additional funds for this purpose, VETS may consider up to two (2) option years of additional funding for grants awarded under this solicitation. USDOL does not, however, guarantee option year funding for any grantee.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants fall into one of the following categories:

· State and local Workforce Investment Boards (SWIBs/LWIBs);

· Public agencies, meaning any agency of a state or of a general purpose political subdivision of a state that has the power to levy taxes and spend funds, as well as general corporate and police powers (this typically refers to cities and counties). A state agency may propose in its application to serve one or more of the jurisdictions located in its state. This does not preclude a city or county agency from submitting an application to serve its own jurisdiction;

· Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments);

· For-profit/commercial entities;

· Non-profit organizations, including community and faith-based organizations. (Note: Non-profit entities incorporated under Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501(c) (4) are not eligible.).

Applicants must have a familiarity with the geographic area and population to be served. Additionally, applicants must be prepared to administer an effective program that is ready to begin operations immediately upon the first day of the grant award period of performance.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program. Please note that any resources contributed to the project are considered leveraged resources and do not constitute cost sharing or matching funds. More information on leveraged resources may be found in Section IV.B.2. Applications that include any form of cost sharing or match will not receive additional consideration during the review process. Cost sharing or match is not one of the application screening criteria.

C. Other Information

1. Application Screening Criteria Applicants should use the checklist below as a guide when preparing the 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. If your application does not meet all of the screening criteria, it will not move forward through the merit review process.

Application Requirement (Instructions)

Application is within dollar range specified for the category of grant sought.

Urban – $100,000 - $300,000 Non-Urban – $100,000 - $200,000 Section II.A.

Signed SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Section IV.B.1.

2. Number of Applications To Be Submitted There is a limit of one (1) application per submitting organization and physical location serving the same HVRP participant population and in the same geographic service area. If more than (1) application from the same organization for the same physical location serving the same HVRP participant population is submitted, only the most recent application submitted will be accepted. If the most recent application is disqualified for any reason, it will not be replaced with an earlier application. If an organization was recently awarded HVRP funds and is eligible for continued option year funding for PY 2015, then that organization should not submit a new application to serve the same population under this SGA.

3. Eligible Participants To be eligible for enrollment as a participant under these grants an individual must be a homeless veteran defined as follows:

The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable [38 U.S.C. 101(2)]. Veterans who received a “dishonorable” discharge are ineligible for HVRP services.

· The term “homeless” or “homeless individual” found at 42 U.S.C. 11302(a), as amended by the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-22) includes:

1) Persons who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence;

2) Persons living in supervised public or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living arrangements;

3) An individual who resided in a shelter or place not meant for human habitation and who is exiting an institution where he or she temporarily resided; and Persons with a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

Inadequate nighttime residence examples include, but are not limited to, sleeping in the streets, in the woods, in public parks, in cars, on outside benches, under bridges, in tents, in caves, and under a lean-to.

The term “chronically homeless'' is defined as an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more, or who has had at least four (4) episodes of homelessness in the past three (3) years.[endnoteRef:1] A disabling condition is defined as a diagnosable substance abuse disorder, serious mental illness, developmental disability, or chronic physical illness or disability including the co-occurrence of two or more of these conditions. A disabling condition limits an individual's ability to work or perform one or more activities of daily living. [1: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2006). Super NOFA for Continuum of Care Programs: Fiscal Year 2006. Washington, DC

2OMB Memorandum 07-16 and 06-19. GAO Report 08-536, Privacy: Alternatives Exist for Enhancing Protection of Personally Identifiable Information, May 2008, http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08536.pdf.]

Additionally, under the HEARTH Act, the term homeless includes an individual or family who will imminently lose their housing, has no subsequent residence identified, and who lacks the resources or support network needed to obtain other permanent housing. Evidence that an individual or family will imminently lose their housing includes: a court order resulting from an eviction action that notifies the individual or family that they must leave within 14 days; having current primary nighttime residence that is a room in a hotel or motel, but lacking the resources necessary to reside there for more than 14 days; or credible evidence, including a credible oral statement from the individual or family, indicating that the owner or renter of the housing will not allow the individual or family to stay for more than 14 days.

Finally, under the HEARTH Act, the term homeless also includes unaccompanied youth and homeless families with children and youth defined as homeless under other federal statutes who have experienced a long period without permanent housing; have experienced persistent instability as measured by frequent moves over such period; and can be expected to continue in such status for an extended period of time because of chronic disabilities, chronic physical health or mental health conditions, substance addiction, histories of domestic violence or childhood abuse, the presence of a child or youth with a disability, or multiple barriers to employment.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. How to Obtain an Application Package This SGA, found at www.Grants.gov and http://www.dol.gov/vets, contains all of the information and links to forms needed to apply for grant funding. Applicants should note that hyperlinks to portions of the SGA are included in various parts of the Announcement. Applicants are required to comply with all parts of the SGA, including those parts found at the hyperlinks.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission Applications submitted in response to this SGA must consist of four separate and distinct parts:

(1) the SF-424 of four separate and distinct parts:

(2) Project Budget;

(3) Technical Proposal; and

(4) Attachments to the Technical Proposal.

It is the Applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the funding amount requested is consistent across all parts and sub-parts of the application.

A complete grant application submission must be written in English and must not exceed 50 single-sided pages (8 ½” x 11”), double-spaced, typed 12-point Times New Roman font, with one inch margins on all four sides of the page. All attachments, unless otherwise noted in the instructions, are included in the 50-page maximum. Any materials beyond the specified page limit will not be reviewed or considered in the evaluation process. Applicants must ensure that major sections and subsections of the application are divided and clearly identified (e.g. with tab dividers).

1. SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” Applicants must complete the SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (available at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15). 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, signature of the Authorized Representative on the SF-424 certifies that the organization is in compliance with the Assurances and Certifications form SF-424B (available at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15). The SF-424B is not required to be submitted with the application.

Requirement for DUNS Number All applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities are required to have a DUNS number, and must supply their DUNS Number on the SF-424. The DUNS Number is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business entities. If you do not have a DUNS Number, you can get one for free through the Dunn & Bradstreet website: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do. As authorized under 2 CFR 25, grant recipients authorized to make subawards must also be aware of the following requirements related to DUNS Numbers:

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

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

Requirement for Registration with SAM Applicants must register with SAM before submitting an application. Instructions for registering with SAM can be found at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/#1. A recipient must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times, during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the applicant is required to review and update the registration at least every 12 months from the date of initial registration, or subsequently update its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate, and complete. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply and to receive the award.

2. Project Budget The Applicant must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form (available at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15). In preparing the Budget Information Form, you must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget request, explained in detail below.

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

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

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

Travel – Specify the purpose, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips, and other costs for each type of travel. Travel expenditures may not exceed 5 percent of the total grant requested. Mileage charges may not exceed the current federal rate, available at: www.gsa.gov.

Follow-up Services – Applicants must describe all associated costs for obtaining and retaining participant information pertinent to the follow-up services required for the three quarters after the active program year performance period ends, including any costs of using state unemployment insurance data to substantiate an applicant’s follow-up results, if applicable.

Equipment – Identify each item of equipment to be purchased which has an estimated acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit (or if your capitalization level is less than $5,000, use your capitalization level) and a useful lifetime of more than one year (see 2 CFR 200.33 for the definition of Equipment). List the quantity and unit cost per item. Items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are supplies. In general, we do not permit the purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the grant.

Supplies – Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment” (see 2 CFR 200.94 for the definition of Supplies). The detailed budget should identify categories of supplies (e.g. office supplies). List the quantity and unit cost per item.

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

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

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

Indirect Costs – If indirect costs are included in the budget, then include either, a) the approved indirect cost rate with a copy of the Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), a description of the base used to calculate indirect costs along with the amount of the base, and the total indirect costs requested, or b) if you meet the requirements to use the 10% de minimis rate as described in 2 CFR 200.414(f), then include a description of the modified total direct costs base (see 2 CFR 200.68 for definition) used in the calculation along with the amount of the base, and the total indirect costs requested based on the 10% de minimis rate. See Section IV.E.1. for more information. Additionally, the following link contains DOL-specific information: http://www.dol.gov/oasam/boc/dcd/index.htm.

Note that the entire Federal grant amount requested must be included on the SF-424, SF-424A, and budget narrative.

No leveraged resources should be shown on the SF-424 and SF-424A. Leveraged resources should be described in the budget narrative. The requested Federal grant amount listed on the SF-424, SF-424A, and budget narrative must be the same. The funding amount included on the SF-424 will be considered the official funding amount requested if any inconsistencies are found.

3. Technical Proposal Preparing the Technical Proposal The Technical Proposal must demonstrate an Applicant’s capability to implement the grant project in accordance with the provisions of this Announcement. It provides a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed project. It must be succinct, self-explanatory, and well organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

The Technical Proposal is limited to 15 double-spaced, single-sided, 8.5” x 11” pages with Times New Roman 12 point text font and 1 inch margins on all four sides of the page. Any materials beyond the specified page limit will not be read or considered in the application review process. Applicants must number the Technical Proposal beginning with page number 1. The pages used to present the Technical Proposal count toward the 50-page maximum limitation.

Applicants should submit all Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) or other formal agreements related to any part of the Technical Proposal as attachments to the Technical Proposal. These MOUs or other formal agreements will not count toward either the 15-page Technical Proposal limit or the overall 50-page limitation.

The following instructions provide all of the information needed to complete the Technical Proposal. Applicants should carefully read and consider each section, and include all required information in your Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal will be evaluated using the evaluation criteria identified in Section V. Applicants must use the same section headers identified below for each section of the Technical Proposal:

(1) Statement of Need The applicant must identify the category type (Urban or Non-Urban) and the specific geographical area it proposes to serve, including the congressional district or districts or Native American tribal area(s) contained within the proposed geographic service area. The applicant also must document the need for the proposed project by discussing the following: 1) the estimated number or concentration of homeless veterans in the proposed project service area; 2) the rates of poverty and unemployment in the proposed project area as determined by the U.S. Census or other surveys, with state and national level comparisons; 3) the extent of the gaps in or lack of local support services which adversely affect the provision of services to homeless veterans; and 4) the specific and unique employment barriers that local potential HVRP participants must overcome within the local service area. Applicants also should provide detailed local labor market information and current trends within the proposed geographic service area. Please cite appropriate sources whenever possible to substantiate the information provided.

(2) Overall Approach and Strategy Applicants must describe their overall approach and strategy to providing job-driven employment and training services-services that impart relevant skills, that connect participants with local employers, and that lead to measurable improvements in employment and earnings outcomes. Applicants must also describe their approach to providing related supportive services, with an emphasis on meeting the complex demands of serving homeless veterans. Applicants should explain how they will address the needs of female homeless veterans and veterans with families.

The description of the approach must include procedures for outreach, assessment, intake and follow-up services that enhance placement and retention in employment. The strategy must identify and target skills and competencies in demand in the applicant’s regional economy. Applicants also must identify and fully describe the support services that will be provided to homeless veteran participants as part of the applicant’s strategy to promote, prepare and improve the participant’s state of job readiness.

The Overall Approach and Strategy section is made up of four distinct sections: Outreach; Assessment and Intake; Job-Driven Employment and Training Services; and Follow-up Services. Each section is described below.

(i) Outreach Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed program will promote active engagement with industry, employers and employer associations to determine the skills needed to pursue in-demand jobs and careers. Applicants must describe how in-demand skills will be provided in their proposed program. Applicants must explain how their program will conduct outreach and collaborate with local entities within their proposed geographic service delivery area to introduce the HVRP program to potentially eligible homeless veterans.

In order to promote outreach between the HVRP and local service providers, the applicant must demonstrate how they will provide project orientation workshops and program awareness activities to the various types of service providers and organizations operating within their geographic service delivery area. Applicants have some flexibility concerning how they propose to meet this requirement; however, such activities must include at a minimum, attending service provider meetings, seminars, and conferences. Applicants should develop individual service contracts, MOUs, or other formal agreements which involve other support service providers in the proposed service delivery area to demonstrate their ability to perform these required activities. Grantees will be responsible for providing project orientation workshops and program promotion and awareness activities to the following organizations:

· Direct providers of services to homeless veterans, including, but not limited to, shelter and soup kitchen operators;

· Federal, state, and local agencies such as the local Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Committees and their associated agencies and organizations; the Social Security Administration (SSA); Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), who provide mental and physical healthcare services; State Workforce Agencies (SWA) and local American Job Centers, who provide employment and training services, to include the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist and Local Veterans’ Employment Representative (LVER), and who integrate Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services when available in their local area; and other entities who provide healthcare, substance abuse and detoxification services; and,

· Civic and private sector groups, women’s organizations, support groups and faith-based and community-based organizations to include Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) such as the American Legion; Disabled American Veterans; Veterans of Foreign Wars; and the Vietnam Veterans of America.

We also encourage applicants to describe how they plan to participate in Stand Down activities. A Stand Down is a local community event where homeless veterans are provided a wide variety of services and incentives. Stand Down funding is provided in the form of non-competitive grants that are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until available funding is exhausted. While HVRP funding must not be used for Stand Down activities, applicants should describe how they will integrate such activities into their proposed outreach strategy. Stand Down activities will only be funded through a separate USDOL Stand Down Solicitation found at https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/01/28/2014-00755/fiscal-year-2014-through-2016-stand-down-grant-requestsf.

(ii) Assessment and Intake Applicants must fully explain how they will design and implement their proposed assessment and intake process. Applicants must design the assessment and intake process to maximize the long-term success of participants who are enrolled into the HVRP program and must include a focus on identifying and addressing the barriers to employment faced by chronically homeless veterans. In addition, applicants should demonstrate how they will determine a potential program participant’s willingness to enter employment following the receipt of services. Applicants must illustrate how potential participants will be referred to appropriate support services to overcome barriers to employment such as, but not limited to: physical rehabilitation, drug or alcohol treatment, mental health services, and/or the assignment of a temporary or transitional shelter notwithstanding the potential participant’s status as a participant. During the intake or enrollment process, grant applicants must describe the assessment of the individual’s skills and knowledge gaps to determine the types of services needed to assist the individual. Services may include: career technical training, soft skills training, aptitude testing, counseling, or referral to other services.

Applicants must demonstrate how they will collaborate and coordinate their efforts with the VA and other locally-based VSOs to ensure participants apply for and/or receive the multitude of veterans’ benefits for which they may be eligible. Applicants must demonstrate how they will refer participants to the VA to file a claim for compensation or pension benefits, as appropriate. As a part of the referral process, applicants must describe how they will track and assist with the progress of a participant’s claim(s) and be able to report the ultimate outcomes related to these efforts within a participant’s case management file record.

(iii) Job-Driven Employment and Training Services Applicants must demonstrate how they will develop formal job-driven employment and training service plans for their participants and how they will manage and note the progress made by their participants within a formal case management process. Applicants must note the specific services proposed for each participant to maintain and improve his or her state of job readiness and employability within an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) developed for each participant.

Grantees should use available labor market information to drive decision-making on training and employment services. Employment and training services must be focused on imparting relevant skills with job-market value and should align with and leverage other federal education and training program resources. Services should include:

· Training that is targeted to specific industries, occupations, and skills in demand;

· Training strategies that are focused on providing skills development for jobs currently available; and

· Work-based learning opportunities such as registered apprenticeships, paid internships, on-the-job training, cooperative learning, work experience, and customized training.

To complement the employment and training related services outlined within each participant’s IEP, applicants must also demonstrate how they will provide for the delivery and maintenance of appropriate support services that will enable their participants to successfully perform all the activities specified within their IEP. Additionally, applicants must show how programs such as the VA’s Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program and/or preparatory classroom training will be included in an IEP and integrated into the array of services assigned to program participants, if a grantee case manager determines that such intervention would improve the eventual likelihood of long-term employment.

Successful applicants will provide a detailed description of placement strategies that are based on local labor market information and collaboration with employers, other job training programs, and the local American Job Center. Examples of historically successful placement strategies are: on-the-job training (OJT), registered apprenticeship, pre-arranged placements, direct hire, collaboration with temporary to permanent agencies, partnerships with trade schools that work closely with employers to increase permanent employment placement rates, federal government employment initiatives, partnerships with small disabled veteran owned businesses, and other innovative public-private partnerships. Applicants must demonstrate how they will directly provide or refer participants to the following employment services: job search workshops; job counseling; resume writing techniques; interviewing skills; OJT, or registered apprenticeship; job development services; and unsubsidized employment placement. In addition, applicants should demonstrate how their participants, who are assessed as “ready to enter employment,” will be referred to American Job Centers, as appropriate. You can find a listing of local American Job Centers at: www.servicelocator.org. With regard to OJT, grant funds may not subsidize participant’s wages. However, reasonable costs of providing training and additional costs related to the training are allowable.

Applicants should demonstrate how they plan to establish a collaborative relationship with staff at the American Job Centers who are available to provide program participants with a full array of job development and job search assistance, employment and training services, employment-based case management services, career/employment counseling, and follow-up services usually at no additional cost to the program. American Job Centers are a critical resource for labor market information including skills necessary for in-demand jobs. VETS requires that all successful grantees collaborate closely with DVOP staff and other American Job Center personnel to maximize the funding allocated through the HVRP, reduce duplication of services, and to more effectively serve veteran participants, whenever possible.

Applicants must use local labor market information to clearly identify specific job or training opportunities within occupations and industries that are in demand within the geographical area to be served. Applicants must address how they will successfully target occupations that are locally in demand. Applicants also must demonstrate how program participants will be placed in jobs or in training with career growth potential and with sufficiently high wages to ensure long-term self-sufficiency. Applicants also must describe the applicant’s local employer and training network, to include a list of training entities and employers who have pledged to hire and train participants. We will not include this list in the 15-page limit associated with the Technical Proposal; however, we will count it toward the overall 50-page limit.

Applicants must also demonstrate how they will provide or coordinate job skills training to interested and capable program participants. At least 80 percent of the enrolled participants must participate in job skills training activities. All proposed training programs should be completed within a program year. Examples of training services that count toward the 80 percent training threshold are: classroom training, remedial education activities, on-the-job training, occupational skills training, registered apprenticeship, retraining and skill specific career technical training, specialized and/or licensed training programs, and other formal training programs. Basic skills instruction, life skills and money management training should be provided to participants, but this type of training does not count toward the 80 percent training threshold requirement.

Applicants must identify the local services and sources of training participants will use to expand their career technical skills. Applicants must indicate the type(s) of training that will be provided and how such proposed training relates to the jobs that are in demand within the proposed geographic area to be served. Applicants should also indicate the length of training, the training curriculum, and how the training will improve the eligible veterans’ employment opportunities.

(iv) Follow-up Services Applicants must demonstrate how they will conduct follow-up and retention services to track a participant’s continued progress for as long as three quarters after a participant is placed into employment. USDOL encourages applicants to present creative approaches and incentives to successfully address and sustain high levels of employment retention. Examples of such approaches are: peer-to-peer coaching, mentoring, alumni programs, transportation and clothing vouchers, and other follow up and retention-oriented services. If the applicant plans to use State Unemployment Insurance (UI) data to substantiate the applicant’s follow-up results, we suggest that the applicant include any MOU or other formal agreement that enables the applicant to obtain such information. These MOUs or other formal agreements do not count toward either the 15-page Technical Proposal limit or the overall 50-page limitation.

(3) Quality of Linkages In addition to the linkages mentioned above under the Overall Approach and Strategy, applicants must demonstrate how they plan to coordinate their proposed activities with a wide array of federal, state, and local support service programs and their associated agencies and/organizations. Organizations must assess level and kind of resources they need, thus creating the best possible opportunity to reintegrate homeless veterans. Organizations that link to external resources are able to address the needs of the whole veteran, particularly healthcare and housing needs that stabilize the veteran, and increase job readiness. VETS does not prescribe linkages. Some examples of additional support service programs that have been successful include, but are not limited to: the VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans Outreach Coordinators and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) programs; including its Disability Navigator Program; local ICH organizations; and the Social Security Administration and its Ticket to Work Program. As a part of the Ticket to Work Program, grantees must register as an Employment Network (EN). Additionally, applicants should consider linking with community resources that can provide legal assistance to homeless veterans that need expungement of criminal records. Homeless veterans, homeless female veterans, and/or homeless veterans with families with dependent children may need assistance in areas of family law, domestic violence, child support enforcement, and poor credit history counseling and repair.

Applicants must demonstrate how they will refer program participants to agencies and organizations which provide appropriate and necessary support services such as health care, counseling, and rehabilitative services, as needed by their participants. These services may include, but are not limited to: alcohol and drug rehabilitation, therapeutic services, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) assessments and treatment, domestic abuse and sexual trauma counseling and care, vision and dental services, and physical and mental health services.

We encourage applicants to submit a list of their local area network of service providers that offer and provide services to benefit program participants. For each linkage, the applicant should identify the provider, the source of complementary funding related to the specific services provided by the organization, and the type of linkages/referral system established or proposed. We will not include this list in the 15-page limit associated with the Technical Proposal; however, we will count it toward the overall 50-page limit.

Applicants must describe, to the extent possible, how their proposed project will be incorporated into the Department of Veterans Affairs(VA)five (5) year plan to end veteran homelessness by 2015 and the local community’s ten (10) year plan to end homelessness, if applicable. See the Interagency Council on Homelessness Website address at www.usich.gov for additional information. MOUs and all other formal agreements with providers of services that are specifically targeted to assisting homeless veterans and to solidifying the linkages between complementary organizations should be established and presented as an Attachment to the Technical Proposal. These agreements or MOUs do not count toward either the 15-page Technical Proposal limit or the overall 50-page limitation.

(4) Organizational Capability and Experience All applicants must fully describe their organization‘s ability to manage the operational, administrative, programmatic, and financial reporting requirements specified within this SGA. Applicants must describe key staff skills, experience, history, knowledge, qualifications, capabilities, office locations, and provide an organizational chart. Organizational charts, key staff resumes and detailed staff capability statements do not count toward either the 15-page Technical Proposal limit or the overall 50-page limitation.

Prior HVRP experience is not a requirement for this grant. Applicants who have not previously been HVRP grantees are required to provide related program outcomes from other similar grant programs they have managed that were funded through other sources of revenue, such as non-HVRP funding, state or local funding, philanthropic grants, individual contributions, fee for service, or other sources. Applicants must describe specific outcomes previously achieved against established targets by the applicant within these related programs, such as number of enrollments, number of participants that entered employment, cost per placement into employment, benefits secured, and network coalitions. Applicants with no previous HVRP experience, but who can demonstrate previous experience with similar programs, should submit their most recent financial and programmatic cumulative final year-end performance reports related to those programs. These financial and programmatic cumulative final year-end performance reports do not count toward either the 15-page Technical Proposal limit or the overall 50-page limitation.

Applicants who have operated a HVRP grant program must include the most recent 4th quarter cumulative quarterly Technical Performance Report (TPR); the most recently completed 4th quarter Technical Performance Narrative (TPN); a copy of the planned goals spreadsheet providing the planned goals for the year the of the most recently completed 4th quarter TPR; and, the most recent financial and technical performance reports for other relevant programs, if applicable. Submission of the planned goals spreadsheet, the 4th quarter TPN, and TPR do not count toward either the 15-page Technical Proposal limit or the overall 50-page limitation.

Applicants must complete the PY 2015 Competitive Grants Planned Goals Chart (Appendix C) with proposed programmatic outcomes, including but not limited to, participants served, placements, and jobs retained. This chart does not count toward the 15-Page technical proposal limit, but it does count toward the overall 50-page limitation.

Applicants must also address their capacity for timely implementation of the program, programmatic reporting, and participant tracking. Applicants must have a familiarity with the area and population to be served and the ability to administer an effective program that is ready to start immediately upon the first day of the grant award period of performance. Applicants are also required to fully describe how their proposed program can or will outlast the federal funding being provided under this grant after either the first year of funding or, if awarded, after the possible option year or years of funding. To illustrate the long-term sustainability of the program and the services proposed, applicants must be able to present a diverse funding base or illustrate an organizational strategic plan that illustrates the attainment of financial resources beyond those secured through the HVRP grant. Other evidence such as long-term leases and a strong history of community involvement by the organizations key staff may also be used to present how the program will outlast the proposed HVRP grant funding.

(5) Housing Strategy Applicants must illustrate how affordable and/or housing resources will be accessed by program participants. Applicants must fully illustrate the provisions that will be made for program participants to access emergency, temporary, transitional, and/or permanent housing through various community resources including, but not limited to: the VA’s Grant and Per Diem Program, which funds emergency and transitional housing programs; the Federal…