[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37286-37295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18259]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


School-to-Work Opportunities Act: Out-of-School Youth

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant 
Application (SGA).

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SUMMARY: All information required to submit a proposal is contained in 
this announcement. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and 
Training Administration (DOL/ETA), in collaboration with the U.S. 
Department of Education and the National School-to-Work Office, 
announces the availability of $1,270,000 to award competitive grants to 
youth employment and/or education program providers that currently have 
a solid foundation of serving out-of-school youth in a school-to-work 
framework. The purpose of the grants will be to support the adaptation 
of school-to-work principles by existing out-of-school youth 
initiatives and to connect their efforts to the Federally-funded 
school-to-work systems in their states. This project is not designed to 
help existing youth programs plan how to serve out-of-school youth in a 
school-to-work framework. Rather, the purpose is to select a variety of 
types of youth initiative that already are implementing school-to-work 
elements for out-of-school youth, and to help them build on this 
foundation. Applications are required to demonstrate that they have 
already designed and begun implementation of a substantial number of 
the components and strategies of a school-to-work system, as described 
in the School-to Work Opportunities Act of 1994, to be considered.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of proposals at the Department of 
Labor shall be August 14, 1997, at 2:00 P.M., Eastern time. Any 
proposal not received at the designated place, date and time of 
delivery specified will not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Proposals shall be mailed to: Division of Acquisition and 
Assistance, Attention. Ms. Brenda Banks, Reference SGA/DSS 97-017, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room S-4203, Washington, D.C. 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brenda Banks or Laura Cesario, Division of Acquisition and Assistance. 
Telephone (202) 219-8694 (Note: This is not a toll-free telephone 
number. This solicitation will also be published on the Internet at 
``http/www.doleta.gov.'' To gain access to the solicitation, click on 
``What's Hot.''

.SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This announcement consists of four parts: 
Part I Background/Description, Part II Application Process, Part III 
Statement of Work, and Part IV Evaluation Criteria for Award.

Part I. Background/Description

    The School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 is intended to create 
statewide systems to help all students attain high academic and 
occupational standards and identify and navigate paths to rewarding 
roles in the workplace ``All student'' is defined in the Act as ``both 
male and female students from a broad range of background and 
circumstances, including disadvantaged students, students with diverse 
racial, ethnic or cultural backgrounds, American Indians, Alaska 
Natives, Native Hawaiians, students with disabilities,

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student with limited-English proficiency, migrant children, out-of-
school youth, and academically talented students''
    Experience in implementing the School-to-Work Opportunities Act has 
shown that out-of-school youth--including school dropouts and those 
high school graduates who are not adequately prepared for careers--are 
extremely difficult to serve under school-to-work precisely because 
they are not in the school buildings that have been the major focus of 
school-to-work activities to date. A major problem for many young 
people, especially those who leave high school without a degree, is 
their inability to secure full-time career-track employment and their 
lack of preparation for further education or training. School-to-work 
is designed to respond to these problems.
    In addition, there are currently many effective employment and 
training programs for school dropouts and other out-of-school youth. 
The purpose of this solicitation is to focus these programs on ways to 
better serve these youth which incorporate the twin school-to-work 
goals of high academic achievement and progressive mastery of career 
competencies and which include these programs in State and local 
school-to-work systems.

Part II. Application Process

    A. Eligible Applicants. This competition is open to current youth 
employment and education program providers who can clearly demonstrate 
that their programs meet a majority of the ``threshold criteria'' in 
Appendix C. Applications are encouraged from Adult High Schools. Adult 
High Schools are defined as schools offering full-time high school 
curricula to youth 16 years of age or older who are officially 
designated as school dropouts. Entities described in section 501(c)(4) 
of the Internal Revenue Code who engage in lobbying activities are not 
eligible to receive funds under this SGA. The new Lobbying Disclosure 
Act of 1995, Public Law No. 104-65, 109 Stat. 691, which became 
effective January 1, 1996, prohibits the award of federal funds to 
these entities if they engage in lobbying activities. Applicants must 
complete the IRS Form (Appendix D) and include it in Section I of the 
offeror's proposal.
    B. Initial Screening. Applicants are required to demonstrate that 
they have already designed and begun implementation of a substantial 
number of the components and strategies of a school-to-work system, as 
described in the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994, to be 
considered. Before proposals are accepted for full review, an initial 
screening will be conducted to determine that the applicant's current 
program meets a majority of the threshold criteria in Appendix C. For 
screening purposes, ``a majority'' shall mean (more than 50%) of each 
of the partnership, programmatic and measurement criteria and at least 
one of each of the workbased learning, and connecting activities 
criteria. Only applicants that meet this criterion and include all four 
attachments listed in D.5 (below) will be accepted for review.
    C. Grant Awards. The Department has allocated approximately 
$1,270,000 for grants awarded under this SGA and expects to award 
approximately 10 grants in a range of $75,000 to $150,000. The maximum 
award will not be greater than $150,000. Proposals in excess of 
$150,000 will not be considered. DOL/ETA expects to select a variety of 
types of existing programs that serve out-of-school youth and a variety 
of approaches. The Department expects to award at least $200,000 of the 
$1,270,000 to Adult High Schools. The Period of Performance shall not 
exceed fifteen (15) months from the date of execution by the 
Government.
    D. Submission of Proposal. An original and three (3) copies of the 
application shall be submitted. The application shall consist of three 
(3) separate Sections and should not be bound or stapled together.
    Section I shall address the ``threshold criteria.'' List and 
briefly describe the threshold criteria (see Appendix C) the project 
currently meets. (Maximum of 2 Pages)
    Section II shall contain the IRS Status Form, (Appendix D; Standard 
Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' (Appendix A); 
and ``Budget Information Sheet.'' (Appendix B). All copies of the SF 
424 shall have original signatures. The budget shall include--on a 
separate page(s)--a detailed cost break-out of each line item on the 
Budget Information Sheet.
    Section III shall contain technical data that demonstrate the 
applicant's capabilities in accordance with the requirement of this 
solicitation. This section of the proposal shall follow the outline 
below:
     1. Foundation of School-to-Work Elements. Provide a brief 
description of the existing youth program and the school-to-work 
elements, as laid out in the STWOA, that are currently a part of the 
program and services for out-of-school youth. The description should 
provide qualitative and quantitative information about current 
activities, keyed to the threshold criteria, and sufficient to 
demonstrate substantial conformance with the threshold criteria. If the 
program receives funds under the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, 
describe the level of service currently provided to out-of-school 
youth. Describe the program's major sources of funding, e.g., 
Federally-funded State or local school-to-work program (STWOA), State 
average daily attendance (ADA) funds, Adult High School, Job Corps 
(JTPA), Youth Fair Chance (JTPA), YouthBuild, alternative education 
program, JTPA Title IIC.
    2. Proposed Activities. Applicants must be specific in describing 
(1) which school-to-work elements, components or strategies are being 
proposed for implementation or enhancement under the grant, (2) how the 
project will build on the current program(s) and (3) how the activities 
proposed are or will coordinate appropriately the activities of youth-
serving organizations with Federally-funded school-to-work activities 
in the State or local area. Applicants are advised to be specific about 
the proposed processes, products and outcomes of the proposed out-of-
school youth/school-to-work project.
    3. Systemic Connections between organizations serving out-of-school 
youth and Federally-funded State or local school-to-work systems. 
Describe how the proposed activities will connect youth service 
delivery organizations to Federally-funded school-to-work systems. 
Describe previous collaborations between the applicant and the local 
school-to-work partnership.
    4. Capability of Staff. Describe the proposed staff's relevant 
knowledge and expertise.
    5. Attachments. Attach the following required documents in the 
order they are listed.
    a. A memorandum of understanding with the local school-to-work 
partnership specifying the role of each party in the project. In the 
applicant is a local partnership, the memorandum shall be with local 
providers of services to out-of-school youth.
    b. A letter from the State school-to-work implementation or 
planning director indicating (1) the proposal was made available for 
review and comment and (2) the comments or suggestions made by the 
State. If a response from the State is not available by the application 
due date, the offeror may attach a copy of the letter to the State 
requesting such a review.
    c. Letters of support from local secondary post-secondary 
institutions.
    d. Letters of support from local employers demonstrating commitment 
to the principles of school-to-work and the strategies for serving out-
of-school youth proposed by the offeror and the

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employer's willingness to collaborate with the offeror in addressing 
the needs of out-of-school youth.
    E. Page Count. Section III of the applications (technical proposal) 
shall not exceed a maximum of 12 pages (not including attachments); the 
``threshold criteria'' shall not exceed two (2) pages. The application 
should be typed with a font size no smaller than 10cpi or 12pt print 
size, with 1 inch default margins (i.e., for top, bottom, left, and 
right margins).
    F. Hand Delivered Proposals. Proposals should be mailed at least 
five (5) days prior to the closing date. However, if proposals are 
hand-delivered, they shall be received at the designated place by 2:00 
p.m., Eastern Time, not later than August 14, 1997. All overnight mail 
will be considered to be hand-delivered and must be received at the 
designated place by the specified closing date and time. Telegraphed 
and/or faxed proposals will not be honored.

    Note: Failure to adhere to the above instructions could be a 
basis for a determination of nonresponsiveness.

    G. Late Proposals. Any proposal received at the office designated 
in the solicitation, after the exact time specified for receipt, will 
not be considered unless it is received before award is made and was 
sent by either: (1) U.S. Postal Service registered or certified mail 
not later than the fifth (5th) calendar day before the date specified 
for receipt of application (e.g., an offer submitted in response to a 
solicitation requiring receipt of applications by the 20th of the month 
must have been mailed by the 15th; or (2) U.S. Postal Service Express 
Mail Next Day Service--Post Office to addressee, not later than 5 p.m. 
at the place of mailing two working days prior to the date specified 
for receipt of proposals. The term ``working days'' excludes weekends 
and U.S. Federal holidays.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of a 
late proposal sent either by U.S. Postal Service Registered or 
Certified Mail is the U.S. postmark both on the envelope or wrapper and 
on the original receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. Both postmarks 
must show a legible date or the proposal shall be processed as if 
mailed late. ``Postmark'' means a printed, stamped, or otherwise placed 
impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression) that is 
readily identifiable without further action as having been supplied and 
affixed by employees of the U.S. Postal Service on the date of mailing. 
Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place a 
legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both the receipt 
and the envelope or wrapper.
    H. Period of Performance. The period of performance shall not 
exceed fifteen (15) months from the date of execution by the 
Government. The first three months will be devoted to project planning 
and the technical assistance review described in Part III, C of this 
solicitation.

Part III. Statement of Work

    The Department of Labor has a strong interest in assisting youth 
programs to apply school-to-work principles and components to their 
out-of-school youth strategies and to connect their efforts to the 
Federally-funded school-to-work systems in their States. In addition, 
the Departments of Education and Labor, which jointly administer the 
School-to-Work Opportunities initiative, have a strong interest in 
ensuring that school-to-work systems being developed and implemented in 
the States and local communities are designed to provide the same 
opportunities and benefits to out-of-school youth as they do for youth 
who are attending school. This project will demonstrate a variety of 
comprehensive approaches for serving out-of-school youth effectively in 
a school-to-work framework.
    A. Out-of-School Threshold Criteria. The expectation is that most, 
but not necessarily all, of the strategies and essential elements of a 
school-to-work system, as laid out in the School-to-Work Opportunities 
Act, will be present in the existing youth initiatives selected for 
funding. The degree to which each is present will vary from project to 
project, however. The intention is to demonstrate a variety of more 
fully developed models for serving out-of-school youth in a school-to-
work framework than is now available. The out-of-school youth/school-
to-work project is not intended to help out-of-school youth initiatives 
begin to design school-to-work systems; nor is it intended to fund 
existing State or local school-to-work initiatives that have not 
already begun to implement strategies for out-of-school youth. 
Applications that do not show a strong, appropriate connection between 
programs serving out-of-school youth and existing school-to-work 
components and systems will not be selected for funding. Appendix C 
contains the threshold criteria that the Departments and the National 
School-to-Work Office consider a baseline of activity for effectively 
serving out-of-school youth in a school-to-work framework.
    B. Allowable Activities. The objective of the out-of-school youth/
school-to-work initiative is to encourage existing programs serving 
out-of-school youth to adapt and adopt school-to-work elements, 
principles and strategies and to assist school-to-work systems to learn 
more effective ways to serve out-of-school youth as they design and 
implement school-to-work systems for all students. Thus, activities to 
be funded under the out-of-school youth/school-to-work project must be 
related to components and activities in the School-to-Work 
Opportunities Act (most of which are referred to in Appendix C), must 
be designed to serve out-of-school youth more effectively, and must 
show a connection--that is appropriate to the status of school-to-work 
implementation in the State or locality--between the organization(s) 
delivering services to out-of-school youth and the Federally-funded 
school-to-work system. Appropriate activities might include: 
implementing a school-to-work element, principle or strategy not 
currently part of the project, enhancing a school-to-work feature which 
the project already possesses and activities designed to better link 
the existing out-of-school youth program with a Federally-funded 
school-to-work system.
    C. Other Activities. A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued 
by the Departments for an evaluation of this demonstration program. 
Grantees will participate in the evaluation by cooperating with 
evaluation contractor personnel during at least two site visits and 
providing other information as requested. Grantees will also 
participate in monthly telephone calls with the Grant Officer's 
Technical Representative (GOTR) assigned to the project, the evaluation 
contractor's project officer and the evaluation contractor.
    We anticipate that, no later than the third month of the period of 
performance, the evaluation contractor, in collaboration with the GOTR 
for each demonstration project, will conduct an on-site review of each 
project. The purpose of this review is to assist both the contractor 
and the grantee in identifying areas in which the existing project does 
not conform to school-to-work elements or principles and, thereby, 
identify areas where the project might benefit from technical 
assistance and establish a baseline against which the project's 
progress can be evaluated. A written report based on this review will 
be submitted to the contractor's project officer, the GOTR, and the 
grantee. The grantee will assist the contractor in conducting this 
review and participate in a telephone debriefing on the report. No 
later than

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the fourth month of the period of performance, the grantee will submit 
an implementation plan based on the review.
    Pending the availability of funds, the grantees funded under this 
procurement may have access to a technical assistance line of credit 
with the School-to-Work Learning and Information Center. The evaluation 
contractor will assist the grantees in identifying appropriate sources 
of technical assistance upon request.
    Grantees will participate in up to two grantee conferences to be 
arranged by the evaluation contractor and scheduled during the period 
of performance. The first such conference is tentatively scheduled for 
November, 1997 in Chicago. Project budgets should include travel, 
lodging and per diem for a maximum of four attendees at each of the 
conferences.

Part IV--Evaluation Criteria for Award

    Prior to the formal review, applications will be screened to insure 
that all the information requested in this grant application is 
provided and complete. Complete applications will be reviewed against 
the criteria listed below by a rating panel from the Departments. The 
panel's recommendations are advisory in nature to the Grant Officer.

A. Foundation of School-to-Work Elements. (25 Points)

     The extent to which the current program provides service 
to out-of-school youth using school-to-work components and elements 
described in the School-to-Work Opportunities Act and reflected in the 
threshold criteria (Appendix C).
     The extent to which the current program demonstrates that 
it substantially meets threshold criteria in the 3 criteria areas--
partnerships, programmatic and measurement.
     The extent to which the activities proposed are designed 
to provide youth who are no longer in school the opportunities and 
benefits envisioned in the STWOA and reflected in attached threshold 
criteria.

B. Plans for Adding New School-to-work Component(s) or Accelerating the 
Development of an Existing Promising Practice in School-to-work. (35 
Points)

     The extent to which the proposed activities will lead to 
an out-of-school youth/school-to-work system which meets all the 
threshold criteria by the end of the period of performance.
     The extent to which the proposed activities will promote 
higher academic achievement and greater mastery of career competencies.
     The extent to which proposed activities will improve out-
of-school youth's prospects for career-track jobs and/or further 
education.

C. Systemic Connections Between Organizations Serving Out-of-school 
Youth and Federally-funded State or Local School-to-work Systems. (25 
Points)

     The degree to which the proposed activity(ies) 
appropriately connects youth service delivery organizations with a 
Federally-supported school-to-work system(s) in the State and local 
communities so that existing promising practices, strategies, and 
curricula for effectively serving youth in a school-to-work framework 
are incorporated into the out-of-school youth/school-to-work project, 
and the lessons learned as a result of the out-of-school youth/school-
to-work project are shared.
     The extent to which the applicant and the local school-to-
work partnership have collaborated in establishing a network for 
reaching out to and engaging employers in school-to-work.

D. Capability of Staff. (15 Points)

     The extent to which the staff proposed have the knowledge 
and expertise in school-to-work and in serving out-of-school youth 
required to successfully complete the project.
    Final selections will be made based upon the panel's review and 
such other factors as type of current program, diversity of 
programmatic approaches, and geographic balance and what is in the best 
interest of the Government.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 7th day of July, 1997.
Janice E. Perry,
Grant Officer.

Appendices

A. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance
B. Budget Information Sheet
C. Threshold Criteria (5 Pages)
D. IRS Status Form

Appendix C--Serving Out-of-School Youth in a School-to Work Framework 
Threshold Criteria

Partnerships

    1. There is a strong community-wide partnership that is committed 
to preparing young people for the world of work and/or further 
educational and occupational training by providing appropriate 
activities and services which reflect the fact that youth learn best by 
learning in context and being actively engaged in their own learning.
    2. There is strong support for the existing initiative and for the 
school-to-work concept from appropriate out-of-school youth/school-to-
work stakeholders--such a secondary schools, alternative high schools, 
adult high schools, parents, young people, employers, community-based 
organizations, labor, post-secondary institutions, private industry 
councils, government agencies--as well as strategies for maintaining 
their support and involvement. In particular, a strong leadership role 
played by CBOs and, where appropriate, adult high schools as 
stakeholders in the school-to-work initiative should be demonstrated.
    3. Collaborative agreements exist among a variety of institutions, 
including: those serving out-of-school youth (e.g., CBOs, adult high 
schools, Job Corps); public post-secondary and secondary schools; 
vocational education entities; employees and employer organizations; 
labor organizations; apprenticeship agencies; local government 
agencies; and JTPA private industry councils.
    4. Employers play strong and active roles in the planning and 
governance of the existing initiative, and provide a range of services 
for the out-of-school youth component, such as providing a variety of 
worksite learning experiences, developing assessment criteria, and 
participating in career exposure activities.
    5. Resources from a variety of sources (e.g. school-to-work, 
federal categorical, State and local education funds, private sector) 
are systematically used in an integrated manner, to effectively address 
the work and learning needs of out-of-school youth.
    6. A realistic and coherent strategy is in place to collaborate 
with the statewide school-to-work system, as well as any existing 
school-to-work systems.

Programmatic Criteria:

    1. Effective strategies are in place for recruiting, retaining, and 
serving out-of-school youth in the school-to-work framework.
    2. A system of integrated school-based learning, work-based 
learning and connecting activities is present in the existing out-of-
school youth initiative, and is responsive to the cultural diversity of 
the youth it serves.
    3. Learning is organized around an appropriate system of career 
pathways that are consistent with emerging industry and State standards 
for mastery of academic competencies and occupational skills.
    4. Learning includes activates that offer students exposure to all 
aspects of an industry.

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    5. Work-Based Learning activities include the following:
    a. A variety of different types of high quality work experiences 
and on-the-job training tailored to the individual needs of each out-
of-school youth served.
    b. Adult worksite mentors. Attainment of skill certificates and 
academic credits.
    6. School-Based Learning activities include:
    a. A commitment to high academic standards for all out-of-school 
youth participants.
    b. Workplace basics and learning in applied context integrated with 
academic learning.
    c. Opportunities for post-secondary education--including both 
academic and further occupational/job training opportunities (e.g., 
dual enrollment option so that students can earn both high school and 
college credits simultaneously).
    7. Connecting Activities include:
    a. Ongoing professional development for worksite and ``school-
based'' staff to ensure understanding of school-to-work components and 
the provision of high quality services for out-of school youth.
    b. A range of strategies that serve to effectively connect school-
based and work-based learning activities, including dedicated staff 
that serve as school-based, work-based liaisons/coordinators.
    c. The conduct of outreach and public relations for all 
stakeholders involved in out-of-school youth activities, including:
     Parents.
     Youth.
     Community-Based Organizations.
     Local elected officials.
     School Boards/School Administrators.
     Employers.
     Alternative schools and Adult High Schools.
    d. Linkage between human resource service organizations and 
academic institutions to meet the needs of individual youth (e.g. 
pregnant and parenting teens).
    e. The provision of transportation and other support services 
specific to the needs of out-of-school youth.
    f. Strategies that develop the interpersonal skills of students, 
such as personal responsibility, teamwork, and conflict resolution.

Measurement Criteria Includes

    Specific goals and objectives and outcomes (or progress indicators) 
as they relate to the provision of services to out-of-school youth in a 
school-to-work framework.
    2. The ability to implement and adjust improvement plans based on 
the continuous measurement of progress of the goals, objectives and 
outcomes, as indicated above.
    3. The use of various types of ``assessment tools'' that would 
measure not only student mastery of skills, but also whether the 
student is able to integrate, apply and perform the learned knowledge, 
skills and abilities in real life situations, and that would serve as 
predictors of readiness for a variety of work, community college, 
advanced training and other real life situations.

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FR Doc. 97-18259 Filed 7-10-97; 8:45 am]
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