Version 2026-09-21 RFA#: 128140

Virginia Works

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Earn to Learn Initiative

Issuing Agency/Organization: Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works) 600 E Broad St, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA 23219-1856

Program Name: Earn to Learn

CFDA / Assistance Listing: 93.798 - Rural Health Transformation Program

Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN): RHTCMS332088

Federal Award Date: December 29, 2025

Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Office of Acquisitions and Grants Management

Statutory Authority: Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21

Primary Recipient: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services ([DMAS]); 600 E Broad St, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA 23219-1856

Federal Funds Expiration Date: October 30, 2030

RFA Reference Number: RFA-RHTP-2026-04

Initiative: Homegrown Heroes

Sub-initiative: Earn and Learn

RFA Issue Date: September 21, 2026

Pre-application Webinar: September 21, 2026, 2:00-3:00PM Please register via this Webinar Registration Page:

https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d74d5cf-

0bc0-4a23-a0d8-7571d92e53f4@620ae5a9-4ec1-4fa0-

8641-5d9f386c7309

Application Deadline: October 16, 2026, 5 PM ET

Review Period October 19 – October 29

Notice of Awards: October 30, 2026

Submission Method: Please submit proposals via the Application Submission Form on eVa. Please read the submission portal instructions carefully to ensure your entire proposal is submitted.

To register in eVA, go to https://eva.virginia.gov/register-now.html. If your organization is already registered in eVA, you are strongly encouraged to log in to eVA to verify that https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d74d5cf-0bc0-4a23-a0d8-7571d92e53f4@620ae5a9-4ec1-4fa0-8641-5d9f386c7309 https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d74d5cf-0bc0-4a23-a0d8-7571d92e53f4@620ae5a9-4ec1-4fa0-8641-5d9f386c7309 https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d74d5cf-0bc0-4a23-a0d8-7571d92e53f4@620ae5a9-4ec1-4fa0-8641-5d9f386c7309 https://eva.virginia.gov/register-now.html

VA RHTP - Earn to Learn

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your eVA registration status is active and that your account information is correct before you submit your application.

Total Funding Available: $4,679,752.46

Estimated Award Range: $500,000 – $1,500,000

Period of Performance: October 30, 2026 – September 30, 2027

Geographic Scope: Eligible applicants must be physically located in, or provide direct services to, rural Virginia communities as defined under Virginia’s RHTP. The Program’s baseline definition of rurality is based on the federally required Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) definition. Over the course of the Program, Virginia may build upon the FORHP baseline definition to better reflect the Commonwealth’s unique rural landscape and the needs of rural communities. Applicants should refer to the RHTP website for the most up-to-date rural definition and eligibility requirements. The current list of FORHP-designated localities is available in Appendix A.

Agency Program Contact: GrantApplications@virginiaworks.gov mailto:GrantApplications@virginiaworks.gov

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Table of Contents

PART I: PROGRAM BACKGROUND

1.1 Rural Health Transformation Program

1.2 Earn to Learn Sub-Initiative

1.3 Objectives of This Initiative

1.4 Eligibility

1.5 Available Funding, Award Structure, and Use of Funds

1.6 Unallowable Expenses

PART II: REQUIRED SCOPE OF WORK

2.1 Scope of Work

2.3 Required Partnerships and Coordination

2.4 Geographic Scope

PART III: REQUIRED PERFORMANCE METRICS AND MILESTONES

3.1 Required Initiative-Specific Metrics

3.2 Required Program Milestones

PART IV: APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS

4.1 Required Application Components

4.2 Project Approach Narrative - Required Sections A through E (8 pages)

4.3 Budget Narrative (2 pages) and SF424A Budget Template

4.4 Organizational Capacity and Commitment (2 pages)

4.5 Key Personnel (1 page)

4.6 Past Performance (2 pages)

PART V: REVIEW CRITERIA AND SCORING

5.1 Review Process

PART VI: AWARD TERMS, REPORTING, AND COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Federal Regulatory Framework

6.2 Reporting Schedule

6.3 Subrecipient Monitoring

6.5 Prohibited Uses of Funds

6.6 Record Retention and Audit Requirements

6.7 Data Integrity and Intellectual Property

APPENDIX A: FORHP-Designated Rural Localities

APPENDIX B: Application Cover Page

APPENDIX C- Registered Apprenticeship definitions

APPENDIX D- RAP Program Plan Categories

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PART I: PROGRAM BACKGROUND

1.1 Rural Health Transformation Program

Virginia is home to more than 1.5 million rural residents spanning the Southwest, Southside, Shenandoah Valley, Roanoke/Alleghany, Northern Piedmont, and Eastern Shore and Northern Neck regions. Rural communities face persistent access barriers including high chronic disease burden, healthcare workforce shortages, behavioral health gaps, maternal health disparities, and financially fragile rural hospitals and clinics. A more comprehensive description of Rural Communities in the Commonwealth can be found in Appendix A.

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) was established under Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21 and is administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The RHTP provides funding over five budget periods (Federal Fiscal Years 2026–2030) to States for investments that structurally transform healthcare delivery in rural communities.

CMS awarded the Commonwealth of Virginia a Cooperative Agreement designating the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) as the primary recipient. DMAS administers RHTP funds and issues subrecipient awards to qualified organizations to implement approved program initiatives. The Virginia Department of Workforce Development & Advancement (Virginia Works) is a subrecipient of DMAS and will be carrying out the Rural Healthcare Transformation Earn to Learn (Earn to Learn) program.

Future funding opportunities are contingent upon continued federal appropriations and the Commonwealth’s participation in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Applicants must submit proposals that can be successfully implemented during the current performance period, while establishing a strong foundation for future rounds of funding.

1.2 Earn to Learn Sub-Initiative

Initiative Purpose: Virginia Works invites applications from eligible applicants for the Earn to Learn sub-initiative, a competitive, employer-driven workforce training initiative. This program will provide support to Virginia’s rural healthcare providers to help them Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) capacity in key allied heath occupations, including but not limited to dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, registered nurses, radiologic technologists, physical therapist assistants, and occupational therapy assistants. Strengthening workforce pipelines in this sector will help support the growth of healthcare services throughout rural Virginia, as defined in Appendix A. For more information about the RAP model and related definitions, please see Appendix

C.

Funded Activities

Funds will be used to support healthcare employers, groups of employers, and intermediaries (as defined in Appendix C) interested in establishing new, or expanding existing, RAPs. These funds will also be used to develop pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to RAPs in apprenticeable healthcare occupations.

Funds can be used to:

• Develop career pipelines via RAPs, pre-apprenticeships, and support for rural intermediaries, such as industry regional partnership entities, to build regional ecosystems that coordinate employer engagement, recruitment, and supportive services.

o Create or partner with an existing pre-apprenticeship program, as defined by the applicant, that prepares interested apprentices for the rigor of a Registered Apprenticeship program.

• Support On The Job Training (OJT) and Related Technical Instruction (RTI), including financial incentives for employers; and support applicants in designing, launching, and sustaining allied healthcare Registered Apprenticeship Programs, including costs associated with curriculum development and instructor wages.

https://virginiaworks.gov/explore-registered-apprenticeship/apprenticeship-start-here/

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• Provide supportive services for participants, including, but not limited to, transportation, childcare, work attire and tools, educational support (books/fees), and housing assistance.

• Pay wages to individuals enrolled in training on a sliding scale (80 percent of wages to start, with declining percentage paid by RHTP for the length of the program).

This Request for Applications (RFA) is a solicitation for services related to the Earn to Learn sub-initiative, which is a component of RHTP’s Homegrown Health Heroes initiative. Homegrown Health Heroes seeks to address the core challenge of developing talent pipelines to fill critical healthcare needs in allied healthcare professions within rural regions of the Commonwealth of Virginia. More information regarding the grant activities can be found in Part II of this RFA.

1.3 Objectives of This Initiative

Earn to Learn is designed to:

• Establish new and expand existing RAPs in rural allied health occupations;

• Address employer‑identified workforce needs;

• Strengthen rural healthcare workforce pipelines by supporting both new entrants and incumbent (existing or current employees) workers through RAP and pre-apprenticeship programming;

• Expand employer training capacity beyond current levels; and

• Improve job retention and workforce stability in rural healthcare settings.

Key Outcomes

The Earn to Learn initiative will be evaluated on key workforce outcomes, including but not limited to:

• Creation or expansion of healthcare Registered Apprenticeship Programs in rural regions throughout the

Commonwealth

• Number of apprentices placed in allied health professions in rural health regions

• Improved participant retention and job stability in rural health regions

• Growth of rural healthcare workforce pipelines

• Strengthened employer-driven training capacity

• Enhanced access to supportive services that reduce barriers to training for apprentices

For the purposes of the funding announcement all activities will be aligned with the following objective:

Table 1. Earn to Learn RHTP Objective

Objective Description CMS Strategic Goal Alignment

1 Workforce Development/Recruitment: Focus is on advancing rural healthcare workforce within allied health professions

Workforce Development

1.4 Eligibility

To be eligible for an award under this RFA, applicants must meet the requirements listed in Table 2.

Table 2. Minimum Eligibility Requirements

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Eligibility Category Requirement

General

• Hold an active SAM.gov registration with a current Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and no active exclusions, debarments, or suspensions

• Be a legally organized entity in good standing (nonprofit, governmental, Tribal entity, hospital/health system, independent practice, free/hybrid or charitable clinic, federally qualified health center, rural health clinic, educational institution, or other entity) capable of receiving federal subaward funding.

• Have at least one committed rural healthcare employer partner if the applicant is not an employer, or a demonstrated outreach plan to develop those partnerships.

• Individuals receiving supportive services or wage support will be required to enter into a 5-year service agreement. More information about 5-year service agreements can be found in Section 1.4.

Geographic • Eligible applicants must be physically located in, or provide direct services to, rural Virginia communities as defined under Virginia’s RHTP. The Program’s baseline definition of rurality is based on the federally required Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) definition. Over the course of the Program, Virginia may build upon the FORHP baseline definition to better reflect the Commonwealth’s unique rural landscape and the needs of rural communities.

Applicants should refer to the RHT Program website for the most up-to-date rural definition and eligibility requirements. The current list of FORHP-designated localities is available in Appendix A.

Ineligible Applicants

None of the below applicants are eligible for this award.

• Employers not current on all Virginia tax obligations, including all applicable county, city, and local taxes;

• Employers not compliant with the Required General Terms and Conditions: Goods and Nonprofessional

Services;

• Employers that plan to enter into, enforce, or threaten to enforce non-compete agreements with these healthcare workers.

NOTE: A business or part of a business that has relocated from any location in the United States, if the relocation has resulted in any employee losing their job at the original location, is not eligible until the company has operated for at least one hundred and twenty (120) days. Also, no funds provided to an employer may be used to encourage or induce the relocation of a business or part of a business if such relocation would result in a loss of employment at the original location and such original location is within the United States.

5-Year Service Commitment

Individuals who receive wage or supportive services benefits funded through the grant must enter into a 5-year rural service agreement, wherein the individual must work in a designated rural area in Virginia, as defined by RHTP and outlined in Appendix A. Virginia is responsible for ensuring that every participant receiving an individual benefit fulfills the entirety of this 5-year rural service commitment.

The State must establish and maintain a process for tracking participant service commitments and verifying completion. This process must be designed to operate during and beyond the life of the grant. At a minimum, the

State must use a clearly defined method for verifying rural service that does not rely solely on participant attestation. Verification methods may include, but are not limited to, collecting Tax Identification Numbers, National Provider Identifiers (NPIs), and other individualized data needed to validate service delivery in rural areas through available claims or employment data.

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The State must also define procedures for corrective action if a participant fails to meet the terms of their service agreement. The State maintains flexibility in selecting the most appropriate method for monitoring compliance but must consult with its Project Officer to ensure that the approach aligns with federal requirements.

1.5 Available Funding, Award Structure, and Use of Funds

Funds must be used to develop or expand pre-apprenticeship and/or Registered Apprenticeship Programs in rural allied health occupations and must adhere to cost limitations, participation requirements, and federal regulations outlined herein.

1.5a Available Funding

Virginia Works anticipates funding 3–7 subrecipients under this RFA with award amounts ranging from $500,000 to $1,500,000 per budget period. Maximum award shall not exceed $1,500,000.

1.5b. Award Structure

Awards will be issued for Performance Period 1 (through September 30, 2027) and may be renewed for up to four additional budget periods, subject to satisfactory performance.

1.5c. Use of Funds – Workforce Development/Recruitment

Regardless of award amount, the following activities are required or allowable under all awards under this RFA:

• New Apprenticeship Program Apprentice Registration (Required use of funds) – For sponsors developing new Registered Apprenticeship Programs, the first class of apprentices must be registered with Virginia Works within a year of the first day of the period of performance. Funding is only available for applicants who are developing new or expanding upon existing Registered Apprenticeship programs that are registered with Virginia Works Successful applicants will develop an apprenticeship plan within the first six months of the start of the period of performance.

• Pre-Apprenticeship Program Development (Allowable use of funds)—Applicants may choose to develop a pre-apprenticeship plan to help individuals in the community develop the skills necessary to succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship. These programs can include existing training programs within a hospital/health care system, those in partner organizations, and new programs. Pre-apprenticeship programs are defined by the United States Department of Labor as: a program or set of strategies designed to prepare individuals for entry into Registered Apprenticeship Programs or other job opportunities. Pre-apprenticeships may last from a few weeks to a few months and may or may not include wages or stipend. Pre-apprenticeship programs have varied program elements; however, at the core, places an individual on a pathway to employability through a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Pre-apprenticeship programs developed as a part of Earn to Learn must connect completers with a

Registered Apprenticeship Program in the allied health fields.

• On-The-Job Training Wage Support (Allowable use of funds): Funding can be used to reimburse employers up to 80% of new apprentice’s hourly wage rate, on a sliding scale throughout the length of the apprenticeship program. While a starting wage baseline of $18.00/hour is preferred, applicants operating in designated rural or economically distressed counties (as defined by the Virginia Economic

Development Partnership) may propose an alternative starting wage baseline. This baseline must not fall below 120% of the local median wage for entry-level healthcare workers in that specific workforce region, provided it scales sustainably upon credential completion. This reimbursement is not to exceed a

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maximum of 40 hours weekly and for a duration no longer than 52 work weeks. This wage incentive shall only be used for apprentices that are registered on or after the beginning of the period of performance of the contract.

• Related Technical Instruction (RTI) Support (Allowable use of funds): All funds budgeted to support the classroom portion of the Registered Apprenticeship program (RTI) shall be used only once apprentice(s) are successfully registered with Virginia Works. These funds can be used to offset or fully cover costs related to the RTI portion of the program and support the attainment of advanced industry recognized credentials.

• Supportive Services (Allowable use of funds): Supportive services reduce barriers to employment for participants and increase their success and retention within Registered Apprenticeship programs. This funding can be used to access appropriate supportive services during the Registered Apprenticeship program. Applicants should identify and justify any supportive services that the participant population needs.

These services may include but are not limited to the following:

o Childcare o Transportation o Obtaining driver’s license o Expungement programs o Housing supports o Counseling or Mentoring o Tutoring and academic remediation o Obtaining high school equivalency diploma or GED

Applicants are encouraged to provide a detailed description of all supportive services that will be offered through this grant if funding should be awarded.

Administrative Requirements:

• Subrecipients must demonstrate satisfactory performance to receive renewal funding in each subsequent budget period.

• No cost sharing or matching is required.

o Cost Per Participant Requirement – The average cost per participant (apprentice) shall not exceed $13,000 (this can be calculated by simply dividing the total budget by the number of anticipated apprentices served)

• Home Grown Requirement – All participants and employers must reside in Virginia to be eligible for funding.

• Five-Year Service Commitment – Apprentices and pre-apprentices that receive grant funds for wage support and/or supportive services— even if those funds go to the employer or service provider directly — must be able to commit to a 5-year service agreement to remain in a rural region, as defined by Appendix

A. This commitment requirement will include the time spent in an apprenticeship program, where the participant will be considered an employee. Employers are highly encouraged to hold an employment slot for their apprentices for those 5 years but are not required to do so.

• Program Management Costs: Applicants are encouraged to include any and all costs anticipated in connection with the development and administration of their apprenticeship program. For new Registered

Apprenticeship program development applicants, the applicant will be required to provide supporting documentation, including a program budget, for all initial and anticipated costs associated with the development of a new Registered Apprenticeship program and related technical instruction.

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• Administrative costs: Consistent with 20 CFR 683.215, administrative costs will only be reimbursable up to a maximum of 10% of final award amount. Virginia Works anticipates that there will be minimal funding availability for direct administrative costs and no funding for indirect costs. Applicants should attempt to minimize administrative expenses in their application's budget proposal to align to RHTP program requirements.

1.6 Unallowable Expenses

Please refer to Section 6.5 Prohibited Uses of Funds for clarification on unallowable expenses.

PART II: REQUIRED SCOPE OF WORK

2.1 Scope of Work

Applicants must propose a scope of work that directly supports the goals of the Earn to Learn initiative.

Subrecipients funded under this RFA will design and implement either new or expand on existing RRAPs within rural healthcare providers. The proposed project must expand Registered Apprenticeship capacity within rural Virginia healthcare settings and strengthen workforce pipelines in health occupations.

2.2 Required Activities

This section outlines all project scope of work requirements for the applicant.

2.2a Expansion of Registered Apprenticeships in Allied Healthcare Occupations

Applicants must describe how the project will establish or expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs for allied health occupations in rural Virginia. For the purposes of this announcement, “Allied Health Professions” is defined as any occupations that provides direct care or support to patients in the field of healthcare. Applicants must describe their strategy for RAP expansion, which may include pre-apprenticeship programs.

Required activities:

• Milestones:

o For employers: Complete RAP registration within three months from the beginning of the period of performance; apprentices registered and onboarded within one year from the beginning of the period of performance. Bonus consideration will be given to programs that can demonstrate the ability to register and onboard apprentices within the first six months of program period of performance. New programs or program intermediaries may waive the RAP registration requirement, allowing them up to 6 months to register if they can demonstrate no prior work in the RAP space.

o For intermediaries: Complete RAP registration within three months from the beginning of the period of performance; employers identified and onboard within six months of the beginning of the period of performance; and apprentices registered and onboarded within one year from the beginning of the period of performance. Bonus consideration will be given to programs that can demonstrate the ability to register and onboard apprentices within the first six months of program period of performance.

• Deliverables:

o For employers: Approved Standards of Apprenticeship and RAPIDS program ID documentation received from the applicant’s local Registered Apprenticeship Consultant.

o For intermediaries: Approved Standards of Apprenticeship and RAPIDS program ID documentation received from the applicant’s local Registered Apprenticeship Consultant.

2.2b New or Incumbent Worker Training via Registered Apprenticeship

Applicants must describe their strategy for recruiting, training, and supporting new entrants to the healthcare workforce, particularly in allied health professions, or upskilling incumbent workers through Registered Apprenticeship pathways in allied health occupations. Applicants must also showcase their existing programs and

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define opportunities for expansion either by increasing the number of apprentices served or by expanding the occupations trained.

• Milestones (for both employers and intermediaries): Develop and deliver a program plan within three months of the start of the period of performance, to align with program registration. This program plan will detail the grantee’s proposed Registered Apprenticeship and (if valuable) pre-apprenticeship models to train new and/or incumbent workers in allied health occupations. Guidance regarding what should be included in the program plan can be found in Appendix D.

• Deliverables (for both employers and intermediaries): Submit program plan, including an estimate of new hires and/or incumbent workers served by the program. Baseline assessment summarizing current operations, training capacity, curriculum, enrollment, employer participation, and identified gaps in the form of a written implementation plan identifying new or expanded activities, timelines, responsible partners, and expected results. Virginia Works’ Registered Apprenticeship Consultants will be made available to support this analysis.

2.2c Strengthen Rural Healthcare Workforce Pipelines

Applicants must show how the proposed project will contribute to long-term capacity and support the growth and sustainability of rural healthcare services across the Commonwealth.

• Milestones: Within the initial six months of the period of performance, the grantee shall complete a needs assessment for employers (their organization if the applicant is an employer, regional employers if the applicant is an intermediary/intermediary sponsor or nonprofit). Those applicants planning to include pre-apprenticeship as a component of their program design shall indicate how that pre-apprenticeship program will prepare the participants for Registered Apprenticeship Programs in in-demand fields.

• Deliverables: Baseline employer/employer partner workforce assessment identifying occupational vacancies, workforce needs, and training capacity.

2.2d Supportive Services

Applicants, where applicable, should describe their strategies for providing supportive services, such as, but not limited to childcare, housing, and transportation. This includes outside resources and/or using grant funds to provide these supports where available, or directly through Earn to Learn funding.

• Milestones: Within the initial six months of period of performance, develop partnerships and a plan to provide key supportive services to pre-apprentices and apprentices before registering apprentices.

Identify participant barriers to successful training participation and completion; inventory existing community resources available to participants; establish referral partnerships with outside service providers

• Deliverables: Develop supportive services plan, which can be a part of the program plan. Once program has launched, submit Supportive Services Statement of Need for apprentices addressing barriers such as childcare, transportation, and other allowable needs; creation of a resource directory identifying community organizations, public programs, partner resources that provide relevant supportive services;

document referral procedures with supportive service partners.

All proposed activities must align with the employer-driven, workforce-focused intent of the Earn to Learn program and demonstrate clear, measurable impact on rural healthcare workforce development.

2.3 Required Partnerships and Coordination

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Applicants must partner with their local (RAC) to ensure that they will receive the technical assistance needed to either develop or expand their Registered Apprenticeship Program. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for this partnership is not required, however applicants must identify who their RAC contact is, as well as their strategy for either registering or expanding their program in the Project Narrative. To identify your RAC, first identify your workforce region. Next, reach out to the RAC associated with your workforce region, as listed on the Virginia Works RAC page.

Applicants may also choose to partner with their Local Workforce Development Board to help recruit individuals and co-enroll pre-apprentices/apprentices with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs where valuable. Local workforce development boards are business-led councils, appointed by local elected officials, that oversee publicly funded employment and training services within a defined region of the state. Each board assesses the needs of local employers and job seekers, sets a regional workforce strategy, and directs federal funding toward services such as career counseling, skills training, and job placement. Virginia has 14 Local Workforce Development Boards, and you can identify yours on the Virginia Works site.

Required Employer Participation – Applicants that are not themselves employers must include at least one committed rural healthcare employer that will hire and train Registered Apprentices under the proposed Earn to Learn project OR demonstrate an outreach plan to find at least one committed rural healthcare employer within the first year of period of performance.

Bonus points may be awarded to applicants that demonstrate strong existing partnerships with Local Workforce Development Boards, RACs, employers, or other community partners.

2.4 Geographic Scope

Eligible applicants must be physically located in, or provide direct services to, rural Virginia communities as defined under Virginia’s RHTP. The Program’s baseline definition of rurality is based on the federally required Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) definition. Over the course of the Program, Virginia may build upon the FORHP baseline definition to better reflect the Commonwealth’s unique rural landscape and the needs of rural communities. Applicants should refer to the RHT Program website for the most up-to-date rural definition and eligibility requirements. The current list of FORHP-designated localities is available in Appendix A.

PART III: REQUIRED PERFORMANCE METRICS AND

MILESTONES

3.1 Required Initiative-Specific Metrics

Program participants will be required to report on the following metrics through the period of performance.

# Metric Target / Milestone Reporting/Collection Methodology

1 Total number of active Registered Apprentices in allied health professions

Rolling throughout the period of performance

Disclosed on a rolling basis in the Monthly Report and reported in the Annual Report for total period of performance. Reportable items include each apprentice RAPIDS ID #, First and Last Name, locality (county or city) of residence, the name of the organization where the apprentice is employed, the address of the organization, locality (county or city) of the organization, and the occupation(s) for which each apprentice is employed.

2 Total number of apprentices registered/served in allied health professions in rural localities

Rolling throughout the period of performance

#, First and Last Name, locality (county or city) of residence, the name of the organization where the apprentice is employed, the address of the organization, https://virginiaworks.gov/im-a-workforce-partner/workforce-partners/ https://virginiaworks.gov/explore-registered-apprenticeship/registered-apprenticeship-consultants/ https://virginiaworks.gov/im-a-workforce-partner/workforce-partners/

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# Metric Target / Milestone Reporting/Collection Methodology locality (county or city) of the organization, and the occupation(s) for which each apprentice is employed.

3.2 Required Program Milestones

The following milestones apply to all subrecipients under this RFA. CMS approved milestones are identified in addition to any initiative-specific implementation milestones that Virginia Works requires subgrantees to achieve, as described in Section 2.2. All milestones will be incorporated into the executed subrecipient agreement.

Milestone Description Required By

For new RAPs: Registration of Apprenticeship Program with Virginia Works

Registered apprenticeship program registration is a requirement of the Earn to Learn initiative.

Within the first 3 months of the period of performance. New programs or program intermediaries may waive this requirement to 6 months if they can demonstrate no prior work in the RAP space.

Registration of apprentices in

RAPIDS

All applicants are required to have their apprentices registered in the USDOL RAPIDS system

First apprentice must be registered within the first year of period of performance.

Total apprentice targets met by end of performance period

All applicants are expected to meet their performance metrics for the total number of apprentices served. This includes the anticipated number of apprentices served measured against the actual number of apprentices served.

End of the period of performance

New and/or Incumbent Worker training

Submit a program plan, including an estimate of new hires and/or incumbent workers served by the program. Baseline assessment summarizing current operations, training capacity, curriculum, enrollment, employer participation, and identified gaps in the form of a written implementation plan identifying new or expanded activities, timelines, responsible partners, and expected results.

Within first 3 months of period of performance.

Strengthen Rural Healthcare Workforce Pipelines

The grantee shall complete a needs assessment for employers (their organization

Within 6 months of period of performance

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Milestone Description Required By if the applicant is an employer, regional employers if the applicant is an intermediary/intermediary sponsor or nonprofit). Those applicants planning to include pre-apprenticeship as a component of their program design shall indicate how that pre-apprenticeship program will prepare the participants for Registered Apprenticeship Programs in in-demand feels.

Supportive Services Identify participant barriers to successful training participation and completion;

inventory existing community resources available to participants; establish referral partnerships with outside service providers

Ongoing for each new apprenticeship cohort.

3.3 Remedies for Noncompliance

If a subrecipient materially fails to comply with the federal statutes, regulations, or terms and conditions of the federal award, including the performance and reporting milestones set forth in this RFA and the executed subrecipient agreement, Virginia Works, after providing written notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure where appropriate, may impose one or more of the following remedies in accordance with 2 CFR 200.339 and 2 CFR 200.340:

Remedies for noncompliance with federal rules and program requirements:

• Temporarily withholding cash payments pending correction of the deficiency

• Disallowing all or part of the cost of the activity or action not in compliance

• Wholly or partly suspending or terminating the subaward

• Initiating suspension or debarment proceedings under 2 CFR Part 180

• Withholding further awards for the project or program

• Requiring repayment of funds expended in violation of the terms and conditions

• Other legally available remedies

Remedies for noncompliance with performance and reporting timelines:

• Requiring submission of a corrective action plan within 30 days of written notice

• Imposing heightened monitoring, including increased reporting frequency and required site visits;

• Designating the subrecipient as "high risk" under 2 CFR 200.208, with associated specific conditions

• Reducing future budget periods or declining to renew the subaward

• Termination of the subaward for cause

A subrecipient may contest any adverse action through the dispute process set forth in the executed subrecipient agreement and applicable Code of Virginia provisions.

PART IV: APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS

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4.1 Required Application Components

A complete, responsive application must include all of the following components. Applications missing any required component will be deemed non-responsive and will not proceed to merit review.

Component Page Limit

Application Cover Page Use attached template (Appendix B)

Project Narrative (Detailed in 4.2) 8 pages

Budget and Budget Narrative (Detailed in 4.3) 1 page narrative, attached budget document linked in 4.3

Organizational Capacity and Commitment (Detailed in 4.5) 2 pages

Key Personnel (Detailed in 4.6) 1 page

Past Performance (Detailed in 4.7) 2 pages

Letters of Support / MOUs (if applicable) None

Active SAM.gov Registration Confirmation 1 Page

4.2 Project Approach Narrative - Required Sections A through E (8 pages)

Applicants must provide a clear, structured description of their approach to delivering the Scope of Work outlined in Part II of this RFA. The Project Narrative must address each required section in the order listed below. Do not omit or combine sections. Pages exceeding the section limits listed in 4.1 will not be reviewed.

Section A: Statement of Need and Program Design

Applicants must describe the rural healthcare workforce needs the proposed project will address and present a clear explanation of the proposed program model. This section must include:

• Identification of the Homegrown Healthcare Heroes initiative and Earn to Learn sub-initiative supported by the proposed project.

• Alignment of each proposed activity to the CMS Use of Funds categories described in Section 1.5c of this

RFA.

• A description of the rural workforce needs, supported with evidence, data, and citations.

• An explanation of the evidence base or proven models that inform the proposed Registered Apprenticeship design.

• A clear, evidence-based theory of change showing how proposed activities will drive measurable workforce improvements.

• A description of how the project will be transformative—producing meaningful expansion or enhancement of Registered Apprenticeship capacity beyond the applicant’s current baseline operations.

• Apprenticeable Occupation(s) – Identify each allied health occupation for which apprenticeship training will be created or expanded. Provide a concise justification of workforce need for each proposed occupation, including current vacancies, training gaps, or employer-identified shortages. If unable to identify those occupations at the time of application, develop a clear plan for using evidence to identify those occupations.

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• Number of Apprentices to Be Served – Provide projected enrollment figures for each occupation.

Distinguish between new hires and incumbent workers and describe how the projected numbers align with the applicant’s workforce needs and training capacity.

• Strategy for Identifying Local Registered Apprenticeship Consultant – Describe any outreach planned or conducted to identify applicant’s local Registered Apprenticeship Consultant. Please refer to

Virginia Works to begin the process.

Section B: Stakeholder Engagement

Applicants must demonstrate that rural communities, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders are central to the design and implementation of the project. This section must describe:

• How stakeholders will be engaged in developing, implementing, and refining Registered Apprenticeship pathways, including potential related technical instruction partners (if identified). If an employer will be completing all training in house, demonstrate capacity to do so.

• Existing partnerships and the specific roles of each committed implementation partner.

• Plans to maintain ongoing engagement with rural employers, education partners, apprentices, and community organizations throughout the period of performance.

Section C: Performance Metrics and Evaluation Plan

Applicants must present a feasible and compliant performance measurement plan. This section must include:

• Identification of data sources, collection processes, and reporting timelines for each required performance metric.

• Period of performance milestone targets aligned with Section 3.2 of this RFA, including apprenticeship program registration and apprentice onboarding timelines.

• Description of any planned internal evaluation activities.

• Confirmation of alignment with the required Reporting Schedule and commitment to full cooperation with Virginia Works’ monitoring, verification, and evaluation processes.

Section D: Work Plan and Project Timeline

Applicants must present a detailed and feasible plan for delivering all required activities and milestones. This section must include:

• A comprehensive project work plan outlining key activities and deliverables.

• A timeline showing when each milestone and required output will be completed.

• Identification of project risks and proposed mitigation strategies.

• A description of project oversight, internal controls, and governance structures that will ensure timely, compliant implementation.

Section E: Sustainability Plan

Applicants must provide a credible plan to continue successful components of the project beyond the RHTP funding period. This section must:

• Describe how Registered Apprenticeship programs, workforce pipelines, or related infrastructure will be maintained after grant funding ends.

• Identify potential future funding sources to support ongoing training, staffing, or program expansion.

• Explain how program outcomes will be embedded into organizational operations, long-term workforce development strategies, or state/local policy and reimbursement structures.

• Describe how partnerships, training pathways, or care models established under the grant will be sustained by the applicant and its partners.

The Project Narrative must address each section in order. Do not omit or combine sections. Pages exceeding the limit will not be reviewed.

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4.3 Budget Narrative (2 pages) and SF424A Budget Template

Applicants must submit a detailed and transparent budget narrative, along with the required SF‑424A budget template. The budget must directly support the activities described in the Project Narrative and comply with all Earn to Learn program cost limitations. The narrative must:

• Clearly justify each line item and describe how costs were calculated. Lump-sum or unexplained line items will not be accepted.

• Demonstrate compliance with the 10% administrative cost limitation.

• Identify any planned subawards or subcontracts, and provide a rationale, anticipated amounts, scope of work, and proposed selection methodology.

• Certify that no prohibited costs (pre-award expenses, construction, lobbying, etc.) are included in the budget.

• Include a description and justification for all planned supportive services. Supportive service costs must be reasonable, necessary, and directly tied to apprentice participation, retention, and successful completion of Registered Apprenticeship training.

The SF424A must be completed fully and submitted with the application package.

4.4 Organizational Capacity and Commitment (2 pages)

Applicants must demonstrate that they possess the organizational infrastructure, systems, and leadership support necessary to implement the proposed Registered Apprenticeship program successfully. The narrative must:

• Describe the applicant’s capacity to carry out all programmatic and administrative requirements under the

RHTP and Earn to Learn initiative.

• Explain existing organizational structures that support workforce development, apprenticeship operations, financial management, and compliance with federal regulations.

• Identify prior experience managing federal or state awards, if applicable, and describe internal controls that ensure proper stewardship of funds.

• Demonstrate commitment to sustaining the Registered Apprenticeship program beyond the grant period, including leadership support and strategic alignment with long-term organizational goals.

4.5 Key Personnel (1 page)

Applicants must identify all Key Personnel responsible for implementing the project and provide a clear staffing plan that supports timely and compliant execution. This section must include:

• Names, titles, and roles of all Key Personnel (or indicate if there is a plan to hire for this project).

• FTE allocations and expected start dates for each staff member.

• A description of reporting relationships and project oversight structure.

4.6 Past Performance (2 pages)

A. Documented Past Performance

Applicants must submit information on comparable projects active within the past five (5) years, including federal subawards and other relevant funded work. Each past project submission must include scope of work, period of performance, total funding amount, funding source (federal/state/local/private), the applicant’s role (prime, subrecipient, or subcontractor), and a summary of measurable outcomes achieved.

For applicants who do not have past performance for a comparable project must submit a narrative demonstrating their ability to carry out all of the objectives of their proposal.

B. Adverse Action Disclosures https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/readonly/SF424A-V1.0.pdf

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Applicants must disclose, within the past five (5) years, any of the following:

• Terminations for default, convenience following non-performance, or non-renewal due to performance concerns on any federal- or state-funded award;

• Active or resolved suspensions or debarments under 2 CFR Part 180 or any other federal or state regulation;

• Material findings, questioned costs, or unresolved Single Audit findings under 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F;

• Adverse audit findings.

Failure to disclose any of the above will be grounds for rejection of the application or termination of any resulting subaward. Disclosure is not an automatic bar to award; it informs Virginia Works’ risk evaluation under 2 CFR

200.206 and the imposition, if any, of specific award conditions under 2 CFR 200.208.

* Applicants that do not have documented past performance on comparable federally or state-funded workforce or apprenticeship projects must provide a clear narrative explanation demonstrating their ability to successfully implement the proposed Earn to Learn program. This explanation should highlight the organization’s existing operational strengths, staffing capabilities, internal controls, and leadership commitment to carrying out all program requirements. Applicants should describe relevant experience that, while not directly comparable, reflects the organization’s readiness to manage federal funds, coordinate partners, deliver training programs, or support rural healthcare workforce initiatives. This narrative will help reviewers assess institutional capacity when past performance examples are not available.

PART V: REVIEW CRITERIA AND SCORING

5.1 Review Process

Applications that meet all eligibility and completeness requirements will advance to the merit review stage.

Virginia Works will convene a multidisciplinary review panel composed of representatives from Virginia Works and subject-matter experts with workforce development and Registered Apprenticeship program implementation.

Reviewer Conflict of Interest. Before reviewing any application, each reviewer must complete and sign a Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure form identifying any financial, employment, familial, or organizational relationship with any applicant or its key personnel within the past 24 months. Any reviewer with a conflict will be recused from scoring or discussing the affected application. Virginia Works will document all disclosures and recusals as part of the official procurement file. Applicants who believe a conflict exists may submit a written request for review to the RHTP Program Officer within five (5) business days of the application deadline.

The review panel will assess each responsive application using the criteria outlined in Section V of this RFA.

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the proposed project aligns with Earn to Learn program objectives, demonstrates readiness to implement, and provides a feasible and evidence-informed plan for expanding Registered Apprenticeship capacity in rural allied health occupations. Scores will be assigned based on the quality of the technical approach, strength of stakeholder engagement, rigor of the performance measurement plan, credibility of the sustainability strategy, organizational capacity, and compliance with budget requirements.

Following individual assessments, panel scores will be compiled and ranked. Virginia Works will make final award determinations based on reviewer scores, overall funding availability, geographic distribution across rural regions, alignment with employer-identified workforce needs, and the strategic priorities of the Rural Health Transformation Program. Virginia Works reserves the right to fund applications in whole or in part, at levels different from the requested amount, or decline to fund any application. All applicants will be notified of the outcome according to the timeline specified in the RFA, and feedback may be provided upon request.

Applications will be evaluated primarily on feasibility, readiness to implement, alignment to employer-identified workforce needs, and a description of a quality training program that meets those needs. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Awards are competitive and subject to funding availability and leadership approval.

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Review Criterion What Reviewers Assess Maximum Points

Application Cover Page Completion 5

Project Narrative Maximum points awarded based on following sub-sections 60

Statement of Need and Program Design

Strength and clarity of program design; alignment with Earn to Learn Initiative and CMS Use of Funds categories; evidence base; ability to produce transformative impact; Apprenticeable Occupations (or plan to identify them); Number of Apprentices to be Served

Stakeholder…