RFA GYO QandA S-58100-00006145_4-14-23.pdf

RFA S-58100-00006145 – Grow Your Own Q&A 4/14/2023

ODE RFA Q&A, updated 20200709 Page 1 of 4

RFA S-58100-00006145

GROW YOUR OWN

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

RELEASED 4/14/2023

Single Point of Contact: Julia Alpernas Phone: 503-569-2834 Email: Julia.alpernas@ode.oregon.gov

Number Question Answer Questions from Webinar 3/30/2023:

1 On page 10 you use Dual Enrollment not Dual Credit relating to pathways, do you want these to be on college campus or High school campuses? Enrollment usually on IHE Campus.

Page 10 states “High school career and technical education programs, or dual enrollment/ credit;” so it could be either depending upon situation.

2 For the Early Learning and Care providers as partners, are there additional requirements?

A) Do they have to serve a certain number of children?

B) Should they be receiving state funds (Preschool

Promise) or federal funds (i.e. Head Start)?

The answer to all parts of this question is no.

Additional Questions as of 4/7/2023:

3 Can different programs within a University apply as a primary applicant?

No, per Section 1.3 in the RFA “Applicants may only submit one application in response to this RFA, though Applicant may be named as a Partner in any number of other applications.” A University is considered one entity and applicant. There could be multiple equity problems of practice and project strategies built into a proposed project plan.

mailto:Julia.alpernas@ode.oregon.gov

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4 What are the guidelines for who can be a partner? Specifically, I am wondering what constitutes “community organizations and other education entities focused on improving teaching and learning conditions in Oregon.”

Section 1.3 Eligibility in the RFA outlines the criteria for Applicants. While not listed in the definitions of the RFA, in this context it means a nonprofit organization that is reflective of a community or significant segments of a community it seeks to serve.

5 I cannot locate any reference to word count for the application.

Are there hard limits or suggested guidelines on the application materials?

While there are no word counts, it is suggested to focus on articulating responses that are clear and concise. Section 4.2 Evaluation Criteria of the RFA provides the matrix for the number of points possible and the scoring rubric for each content area.

6 There is a project currently underway through PSU that would really fit the goals of this grant project and that many of the tribes are involved in on the leadership board of this project.

My question is, if PSU were to apply for funds to continue their work in supporting current and future indigenous educators in the early care and education sector, would they in fact be in competition with tribes seeking funding? I know many tribes do the GYO program, are tribes getting a non-compete set aside for these funds or expected to apply like everyone else?

1. Tribes are eligible to apply for this grant, so yes, could be in competition with tribes for this grant.

2. Through the Tribal Nations Educator Collaborative, tribes may be eligible to receive non-competitive grant funds to support Tribal GYO projects. This funding may be available pending legislative approval.

Additional Questions as of 4/14/2023:

7 Our ESD is planning to apply for the GYO grant to develop a New CTE Teacher Support system. In conversation with leaders in our ESD, they are also interested in applying for this grant in another realm—GYO for hard to fill positions (special education and school psychologists for starters). Would it be better to apply for:

1. One GYO grant and include both the retention of CTE teacher and recruitment of hard to fill positions in one grant, being very specific the budget, partnership and focus of each or

2. Apply separately, both not to exceed the $700,000 max between the two grant applications.

The answer to this question is the same as the answer to Question 3 (above):

Per Section 1.3 in the RFA “Applicants may only submit one application in response to this RFA, though Applicant may be named as a Partner in any number of other applications.” An institution is considered one entity and applicant. There could be multiple equity problems of practice and project strategies built into a proposed project plan.

The RFA does not limit the number of grants that may be awarded in each region.

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We want to submit an application that will be successful while also not competing with one another if there is only one grant awarded to each region.

8 I have a question regarding how to choose the primary REN or locality that is being served by our GYO partnerships (section I, 3).

As our GYO program collaborates with all Nine Federally Recognized Sovereign Nations of Oregon and is delivered online, through Zoom, our GYO Partnership serves most regions, particularly those with Native students and communities.

1. When applying, will I be required to choose just one?

2. If so, would that be the place in which we are "seated"?

1. Section I Question 3 of the Application does require Applicants to select one Regional Educator Network, but is not being evaluated and will therefore not impact the score. The information being provided by the Applicant in this section is being used only for informational purposes.

2. Applicants should select the Regional Educator Network that serves the geographic area where the majority of participants are located or the majority of partners are located. If there is no clear geographic region that aligns with where participants and partners are located, then yes please choose where the Applicant is located.

9 1. My understanding is that these [start-up] funds would need to be spent by the end of June, 2023.

2. What are some examples of startup costs that could be spent on that timeline?

1. Per Section 1.2.2 of the RFA, start-up funds must be spent by June 30, 2023.

2. The Agency intended for Start-Up funds to be available to successful Applicants for planning activities such as identifying and convening partners, delineating partner roles and responsibilities, conducting needs assessments based on school(s) in local/regional areas, developing data sharing agreements, etc. Given delays in the release of the RFA, these activities may not be able to be completed prior to June 30, 2023. In this case, it is recommended that Applicants include these activities in their project plan for the full grant period of July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2023.

10 Are the grants "all or nothing" or is it possible to receive partial funding?

Per section 1.2.2 of the RFA, “The amount of each Grant will vary based on Applicant requests and Agency’s desire to fund multiple programs across Oregon, as well as the total Applicant pool. As such, Applicants are encouraged to submit budgets that

ODE RFA Q&A, updated 20200709 Page 4 of 4 are flexible and scalable. Agency, in its sole discretion, may offer more or less funding than requested.”

11 Given that our college has paused enrollment for our program (currently funded through GYO grants 2021-2023) for fall 2024, but we will continue to have second-year students completing the program through 2023-2024, we would like to enquire as to whether or not we would be eligible to apply for the new round of 2023-2025 funding to support our work through spring 2024?

Section 1.3 Eligibility in the RFA outlines who may apply for the grant, and yes, universities that are public or non-profit entities engaged in a partnership with another eligible entity are able to apply even if they do not need funds for the entire two-year grant period.