[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 232 (Friday, December 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67936-67948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31358]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Notice Inviting Proposals for Selected Demonstration Project 
High-Risk Youth and Adults

AGENCIES: Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice inviting proposals for Selected Demonstration Project 
High-Risk Youth and Adults.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms 
needed to apply for grant funding.

SUMMARY: The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) redefines the nature of 
youth and adult programming efforts within the nation's workforce 
development system by focusing on a systematic approach that offers 
both youth and adults a broad array of coordinated services. WIA 
provides for high quality learning, developing leadership skills among 
youth, and preparing both youth and adults for entry into employment, 
re-employment (for those who have had prior employment), further 
education or training, and long-term follow-up services to promote 
employment retention and career advancement.
    The primary focus under this solicitation will be to examine 
approaches that assure that ``high-risk'' youth and adults are provided 
with quality workforce investment services that address their unique 
needs through the WIA system.
    High-risk individuals may be described as those who have multiple 
environmental, social and/or educational barriers to becoming employed. 
This population includes individuals who are homeless, recovering 
addicts, those who generally reside in communities of high poverty and 
unemployment, or who are involved in gangs or the criminal justice 
system. In the Conference Agreement for the Fiscal Year 1999 
Appropriation for Title IV of JTPA, ``high-risk'' individuals are those 
described as: ``including displaced homemakers and older workers, and 
those adults or youth who are under the supervision of the criminal 
justice or penal systems, or who are living in foster care, homeless 
facilities, and public or assisted

[[Page 67937]]

housing. Barriers to employment faced by these individuals include 
homelessness, addiction recovery, transportation, criminal records or 
reentry from prison or other justice-related or social service-related 
institutions.''
    High-risk individuals are not always aware of services provided 
through the employment and training system. The work to be conducted 
under this solicitation seeks to further improve the array of services 
authorized by WIA to reach and serve individuals who may not otherwise 
have access to information regarding WIA services. This solicitation 
also seeks the provision of quality job training and related services 
including follow-up services tailored to the interests and aptitudes of 
the client population that facilitates at-risk youth and adults 
returning from various institutions to their communities.
    Further, as WIA emphasizes the need to ensure that training 
services be directly linked to job opportunities in their local area or 
may be linked to jobs in another area to which the individual is 
willing to relocate, these grants will need to demonstrate that 
services under WIA are in fact linked to local employment 
opportunities. As a result, recipients of these grants will be expected 
to build connections to local workforce investment systems, such as 
linkages with Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs)/Private 
Industry Councils (PICs), while demonstrating approaches that ensure 
that ``high-risk'' youth and adults are provided with quality workforce 
development services.
    For the purpose of this solicitation, quality workforce investment 
services are defined as those services (including training) that can 
provide high risk individuals with improved long-term employability 
prospects and increased earnings. According to Winning the Skills Race 
(1998), a report compiled by the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, 
competition for low-skilled occupations has escalated as jobs today 
increasingly demand higher skill levels. Thus, any job training program 
to prepare new labor market entrants or reentrants for employment--even 
individuals with multiple barriers to employment--should emphasize the 
concept of high (or advanced) skills training. As a result, this 
solicitation will also seek to provide skills training for high risk 
youth and adults in new and growing occupations in information 
technology and related areas.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is February 4, 
2000. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. eastern standard time. No 
exceptions to the mailing and hand-delivery conditions set forth in 
this notice will be granted. Applications that do not meet the 
conditions set forth in this notice will not be considered. 
Telefacsimile (FAX) applications will not be honored.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to: U.S.
    Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 
Division of Federal Assistance, Attention: Denise Roach, Reference: 
SGA/DFA-101; 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4203; Washington, DC 
20210. Your application must specify on the cover sheet (See Appendix 
``A'') which project areas you are applying as outlined in this 
solicitation. Failure to clearly identify this information on the cover 
sheet may be grounds for rendering your application non-responsive.
    Hand Delivered Proposals: If proposals are hand delivered, they 
must be delivered at the designated place by 4 p.m., Eastern Time, 
February 4, 2000. All overnight mail will be considered to be hand 
delivered and must be received at the designated place by specified 
closing date and time. Telegraphed and/or faxed proposals will not be 
honored. Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be a basis 
for a determination of nonresponsiveness.
    Late Proposals: A proposal received at the designated office after 
the exact time specified for receipt will not be considered unless it 
is received before the award is made and it:
     Was sent by registered or certified mail not later than 
the fifth calendar day before the date specified for receipt of 
applications (e.g., an offer submitted in response to a solicitation 
requiring receipt of applications by the 20th of the month must be 
mailed by the 15th);
     Was sent by 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 the 
proposals. The term ``working days'' excludes weekends and U.S. Federal 
holidays.
    The only acceptable evidence that an application was in accordance 
with these requirements is 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 or 
affixed on the date of the mailing by employees of the U.S. Postal 
Service.
    Withdrawal of Proposals: A grant application may be withdrawn by 
written notice or telegram (including mailgram) received at any time 
before the awarding of a grant. An application may be withdrawn in 
person by the grant applicant, or by an authorized representative of 
the grant applicant if the representative's identity is made known and 
the representative signs a receipt for the proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be faxed to Denise 
Roach, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance at 
(202) 219-8739 (this is not a toll-free number). All inquires should 
include the SGA/DFA-101 and a contact name, fax and phone number. This 
solicitation will also be published on the Internet, on the Employment 
and Training Administration (ETA) Home Page at http://www.doleta.gov. 
Award notifications will also be published on the ETA Home Page.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Funding for these awards is authorized under 
the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Title IV, Pilots and 
Demonstrations Programs. This is the last year of funding under JTPA 
prior to the transition to the new programs authorized by the Workforce 
Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. For this reason, grants will be awarded 
on a one time only basis, for a period of 24 months. No option years 
are included as part of this solicitation. Grantees will be expected to 
leverage grant funds with other resources available through 
supplemental public or private in-kind or cash commitments. In addition 
to a roughly one-for-one leveraging requirement during the grant 
period, grantees will be expected to strive to sustain the projects 
beyond the Federal funding phase of the grant. The projects are 
intended to help expand the reach of the new workforce investment 
system, particularly in their local communities, and therefore, every 
effort should be made by grantees to coordinate and link project 
activities with local WIBs established under WIA.
    This announcement consists of three sections: **
    (A) Capacity building grants to develop models for use by States 
and local boards on how to increase the capacity to serve ``high-risk'' 
individuals in their state or local areas.
    (B) Direct service grants to demonstrate how local, state, or 
national organizations can provide services specifically targeting the 
high-risk youth population to ensure that the workforce development 
system provides services to this population in their state or local 
area.

[[Page 67938]]

    (C.) Direct service grants to demonstrate how local, state, or 
national organizations can provide services specifically targeting the 
high-risk adult population to ensure that the workforce development 
system provides services to this population in their state or local 
area.

    **Note: Applicants are only allowed to compete for one of the 
three sections of this solicitation. Thus, an applicant can only 
submit a proposal for either section A, section B, or section C. 
Applicants who submit proposals for more than one section under this 
solicitation will not be eligible to receive funding under this SGA.

Proposal Submission

    Applicants must submit four (4) copies of their proposal, with 
original signatures. The proposal must consist of two (2) distinct 
parts, Part I and Part II.
    Part I of the proposal shall contain the Standard Form SF 424, 
``Application for Federal Assistance'' (appendix B) and a ``Budget 
Information Sheet'' (appendix C). All copies of the SF 424 MUST have 
original signatures of the legal entity applying for grant funding. 
Applicants shall indicate on the (SF) 424 the organization's IRS 
status, if applicable. According to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995, section 18, an organization described in section 501 (c) (4) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which engages in lobbying activities 
shall not be eligible for the receipt of federal funds constituting an 
award, grant, or loan.
    The applicant's financial proposal shall contain Standard Form 424, 
``Application for Federal Assistance'' (Appendix B) and the ``Budget 
Information Sheet (Appendix C) for the 24 month initial grant period. 
Both of these forms are attached. The budget shall include on a 
separate page a detailed breakout of each proposed budget line item, 
including the cost or estimated cost for the outside evaluator 
selected. For each budget line item that includes funds or in-kind 
contributions from a source other than grant funds, identify the 
source, the amount, and any restrictions that may apply to these funds. 
The Federal Domestic Assistance Catalogue Number is 17.249.
    Part II must contain a technical proposal that demonstrates the 
applicant's capabilities in accordance with the Statement of Work 
contained in this document. A grant application is limited to twenty-
five (25) double-spaced, single side, 8.5-inch  x  11-inch pages with 
1-inch margins. Text type will be 12 points or larger. Applications 
that do not meet these requirements will not be considered. Each 
application must include a Timeline outlining project activities and an 
Executive Summary not to exceed two pages. The Timeline and the 
Executive Summary do not count against the 25-page limit. The 25-page 
limitation does include attachments. No cost data or reference to price 
should be included in the technical proposal.
    All applicants must include a certification prepared within the 
last six months, attesting to the adequacy of the entity's fiscal 
management and accounting systems to account for and safeguard Federal 
funds properly. The Certification must be signed by a Certified Public 
Accountant.

Funding/Period of Performance

    Approximately $9 million will be available for funding 
demonstration projects under this solicitation. This SGA consists of 
three distinct sections: (A.) Grants for capacity building to develop 
models for serving ``high risk'' adults and youth. (B.) grants for the 
provision of direct services to ``high-risk'' youth and (C.) grants to 
provide direct services to ``high-risk'' adults. We anticipate funding 
up to three (3) capacity building grants, not to exceed $500,000 per 
grant and up to nine (9) direct services grants, not to exceed $1 
million per grant and within the limit of the available $9 million. 
Within the direct services component of this SGA, we anticipate 
awarding up to five (5) grants for projects serving youth and up to 
four (4) grants for projects serving adults. The period of performance 
for these grants will be for 24 months from the date the grant is 
awarded. Because the Department views these grants as initial start-up 
funding, it is anticipated that these awards will be one-time grants 
with no provision of an option year.

Reporting and Evaluation

    During the demonstration project, an outside evaluator selected by 
the grantee and approved by DOL will be required to conduct an analysis 
of the implementation of the project and to assess the processes 
utilized at each site. For direct service grants only, the outside 
evaluator will also be required to evaluate each site using the 
following criteria: participant outcome levels in terms of their entry 
in employment, job retention rate, earnings, and level of educational 
and/or skill attainment from the time the participant entered the 
project until the completion of the demonstration. For both capacity 
building and direct services grants, each outside evaluator will also 
be responsible for the preparation of a report which includes lessons 
learned and best practices based upon the operational experiences of 
the particular project. Grantees will be required to submit quarterly 
and final status reports and ensure that a final report is reviewed by 
DOL not later than 30 days prior to the termination date of the grant.

Statement of Work for High-Risk Youth and Adults

Background

    The Conference Agreement for Fiscal Year 1999 appropriation for 
Title IV of JTPA set aside $9 million for a competition to ``provide 
training and related services aimed at high-risk youth and adults.'' 
This set-aside is also intended to provide support for a wide-range of 
organizations, working in collaboration with the WIA system, to plan 
and implement services that address the needs of ``high-risk' 
populations.
    Nationally, the overall unemployment rate is at its lowest level in 
almost 30 years, but in the midst of this broad prosperity, there 
continue to be communities that suffer high levels of unemployment, 
poverty, and related economic and social problems. ``High risk'' adults 
and youth living in inner-city and rural areas of high poverty, crime, 
drug abuse, and school dropout rates including communities that are 
isolated (e.g., Appalachia, American Indian reservations and migrant 
and farm laborers) face considerable barriers to succeeding in life.
    High-risk individuals may be described as those who have multiple 
environmental, social and/or educational barriers to becoming employed. 
This population includes individuals who are homeless, recovering 
addicts, those who generally reside in communities of high poverty and 
unemployment, or who are involved in gangs or the criminal justice 
system. In the Conference Agreement for the Fiscal Year 1999 
Appropriation for Title IV of JTPA, ``high-risk'' individuals are those 
described as: `` including displaced homemakers and older workers, and 
those adults or youth who are under the supervision of the criminal 
justice or penal systems, or who are living in foster care, homeless 
facilities, and public or assisted housing. Barriers to employment 
faced by these individuals include homelessness, addiction recovery, 
transportation, criminal records or reentry from prison or other 
justice-related or social service-related institutions.''
    When individuals with multiple barriers to employment and/or 
returning to school sought assistance through the

[[Page 67939]]

local employment and training system under the ``old'' employment and 
training, they easily became discouraged when faced with the often time 
consuming but necessary administrative tasks that needed to be 
accomplished before any services could be provided, if the services 
were even available. The local employment and training programs under 
this system often did not work for these individuals. As a result, many 
unemployed and/or disadvantaged individuals have become clearly at-risk 
of becoming (or have become) permanently lost to the legitimate 
economy. However, the ``new'' workforce development system established 
under WIA will include a greater focus on meeting the specific needs of 
individual customers with strong accountability requirements to gauge 
how well it is reaching the needs of the community at the local level.
    The purpose of this demonstration project is twofold. First, the 
capacity building grants under this procurement are to develop and 
establish ``models'' for use by States and local boards on how to 
increase in their local area the capacity to provide relevant services 
to serve ``high risk'' youth and adults through their workforce 
development systems. Second, direct service grants under this 
procurement are to demonstrate how local, state, or national 
organizations can provide services to the ``high-risk'' individuals to 
ensure that they receive quality workforce development services 
including skills training in the growing technology fields and other 
supports necessary through the workforce development system.

Eligible Applicants

For Capacity Building Grants

    Capacity building grants under this solicitation will be limited to 
State or local public agencies, and public and private non-profit 
organizations demonstrating an ability to develop models or 
interventions that can provide technical assistance to other public 
entities to increase their capacity to serve high risk individuals 
under WIA. In situations where individuals or organizations may be 
unincorporated, prospective bidders should gain the endorsement of the 
local WIB, local PIC, or the chief elected official regarding project 
coordination and management/oversight of Federal grant funds.
    To demonstrate the ability to provide assistance towards increasing 
the capacity to provide services to high risk youth and adults in the 
workforce development system, applicants for capacity building must be 
located in: (1) Urban areas with pockets of high poverty or 
unemployment, idle youth and adults, gangs, homelessness or criminal 
activity; (2) rural areas outside of the county seat with high levels 
of poverty, homelessness, worker dislocation, criminal activity, or 
gang type activity; or (3) workers in a migrant community, or area with 
an American Indian Reservation where little transportation exists.

For Direct Service Grants (Youth and Adults)

    Grants for funds to provide direct services to high risk youth or 
high risk adults will be limited to State or local public agencies, and 
public and private non-profit organizations demonstrating an ability to 
work with the target population for this solicitation, ``high-risk'' 
youth and adults. In situations where individuals or organizations may 
be unincorporated, prospective bidders should gain the endorsement of 
the local WIB, local PIC, or the local elected official (LEO) regarding 
project coordination and management/oversight of Federal grant funds.
    To show the ability to work with ``high-risk'' youth, an eligible 
applicant for a direct service grant must outline previous experience 
working with high-risk youth which may include providing residential 
treatment programs for youth involved in the criminal justice system, 
creating job opportunities for youth or are out of school and at-risk, 
etc.
    To show the ability to work with ``high-risk'' adults, an eligible 
applicant for this section must outline previous experience working 
with high-risk adults which may include providing workforce development 
services that are directly linked to job opportunities in their local 
area, including apprenticeships, on-the-job training (OJT), and other 
work-based interventions, preparing displayed homeworkers or seniors 
for jobs in information technology, etc.

Project Summary

Section A: Capacity Building Grants

I. Purpose of Capacity Building Grants
    ETA anticipates awarding approximately three (3) capacity building 
grants under this SGA. The total estimated cost of each grant should 
not exceed $500,000.
    These grants are to develop models for use by States and local 
boards that will provide interventions to increase assistance to high 
risk individuals who face multiple barriers to employment in their 
local areas. The primary purpose in awarding these grants are to build 
service capacity into the workforce investment system that will expand 
the range and quality of services available to prepare more ``high 
risk'' youth and adults for ``high-quality'' employment; i.e., 
employment where there are career development ladders that enable a 
worker to obtain livable wages.
    Entities applying under this component of the solicitation must 
demonstrate a strong focus on developing models for use by States and 
local boards on how to increase the capacity to serve ``high-risk'' 
youth and adults within the WIA system.
II. Rating Criteria for Awards/Selection Process for Capacity-Building 
Grants
    A careful review of applications will be made by a technical panel 
who will evaluate the applications against the criteria listed below. 
The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant 
Officer. The Government may elect to award the grant with or without 
discussions with the offeror. In situations without discussions, an 
award will be based on the offeror's signature on the (SF) 424, which 
constitutes a binding offer. The Government also reserves the right to 
make awards under this section of the solicitation in a manner that 
ensures geographical balance. The Grant Officer will make final award 
decisions based upon what is in the best interest of the Government.
1. What Are the Needs in the Geographic Area To Be Assisted? (15 Pts.)
    The applicant should provide a general description of the unit of 
government which the project will assist. Most important, the applicant 
should provide the estimated size of the ``high-risk' population based 
on available data taken from the 1990 Census, school records, penal or 
criminal justice system records, social services records of homeless, 
assisted housing, or foster care. The applicant should also describe 
the local labor market and the types of jobs that are in demand, the 
type of training available that address the demand in the area and 
other services available to the unit to be assisted by their proposed 
project.
2. How Will the Proposed Capacity Building Be Used To Enhance the 
Capacity To Provide Workforce Investment Act Services for This 
Population? (45 Pts.)
    The applicant should describe in detail how their assistance will 
enhance the capacity of the system design authorized under the 
Workforce Investment Act to increase the employment rate of one or more 
groups

[[Page 67940]]

within the high-risk population as defined in the Statement of Work. 
The framework for the proposed capacity building model should provide 
for (as applicable) individual needs assessment; individual service 
strategies; preparation for employment; job placement; long-term 
follow-up services; linkages with the workforce development system, 
human services, education, and/or transportation services. It is highly 
encouraged that developed models focus on interventions that provide 
training in new and growing occupations in technological fields 
including information technology, telecommunications, and other fields 
in which technology skills are critical parts of the jobs emerging in 
the regional labor market. Training models may also include basic 
skills and pre-apprenticeship training (as appropriate).
    Individual assessment and capacity for strategies. The applicant 
should discuss how they plan to develop in their models various 
strategies to actively recruit the high-risk population rather than 
waiting for them to apply. If applicable, individual service strategies 
should allow for flexibility in meeting the needs of each individual 
participant. Most importantly the applicant should discuss the length 
of time they will test a model before deciding if it does or does not 
provide appropriate technical assistance and implementing; if 
necessary, another strategy which will then be tested for success.
    Program elements. The applicant should show how it plans to enhance 
the capacity of the WIA system to serve high-risk youth and adults. It 
should include innovative strategies of services that have been or are 
being developed to address the barriers to employment for this 
population and the flexibility of services to meet the needs, interests 
and aptitudes of the client population and facilitate high-risk youth 
and adults moving from dependency to independent living in their 
communities.
    Follow-up services. As required by WIA, the applicant should 
discuss in its proposal the capacity to provide for longer term follow-
up services in their models. The applicant should discuss longer-term 
activities that can be sustained once the funding under this 
solicitation is no longer available, and how these activities will be 
sustained.
3. How Will This Project Be Managed To Ensure That Quality Strategies 
Are Developed and Positive Outcomes Are Achieved? (25 Pts.)
    The applicant's proposal should address here the management 
structure of the project, including the lead agency; core staff; how 
other agencies and service providers will be involved; and staff 
expertise. In particular, the applicant should discuss the following 
issues in their proposal:
    Core staff. The project should have a project director who is 
dedicated full time to the project and who has a background in 
providing technical assistance to meet the needs of high-risk 
population, and developing strategies for addressing its needs. Core 
staff should also include individuals who have experience with 
assisting entities working with high risk youth and adults and 
familiarity with the local employment and training system under the Job 
Training Partnership Act programs and changes to the system under the 
WIA.
    Role of local Workforce Investment Board and Youth Council. How 
engaged will the local Board be in this project? Will it provide both 
programmatic and/or fiduciary oversight of the project? Will the 
project director be an employee of the Board or of some other lead 
agency? Will the Board or some other lead agency be ultimately 
responsible for the success or failure of the project? Will there be a 
role for the new Youth Council required by the WIA?
4. Evaluation / Measuring Results (15 Pts.)
    The applicant should explain what mechanisms are in place for 
reporting progress on a quarterly basis and for capturing and reporting 
on the results of project interventions. (Quarterly reports, an annual 
report and final report summarizing progress, are required for projects 
under this SGA.) The applicant should describe the specific evaluation 
reports and other deliverables it plans to provide ETA as documentation 
of progress and results in terms of improved outcomes for the entity 
being assisted.
    As the applicant is responsible for hiring an outside independent 
evaluator for their project, the applicant should also discuss how they 
23 plan to choose an evaluator to conduct a thorough evaluation of its 
demonstration project and provide (if known), the name of the 
organization that will conduct the project evaluation along with a 
description of that organization's evaluation capabilities and their 
previous experience in conducting similar evaluations.

Section B: Direct Services Grants for Youth

I. Purpose of Direct Services Grants for Youth
    Youth demonstration direct service projects will be expected to 
link with and build on resources available in the community, including 
human, educational, workforce development (through collaboration with 
local WIBs/PICs) and transportation services. These projects should 
prepare high-risk youth for high quality employment utilizing core and 
intensive services under WIA in addition to training services, as 
appropriate.
    As high-risk youth face special barriers to employment, they 
typically require support services such as counseling, as well as 
training education opportunities which may facilitate their 
reintroduction into the community and improve their prospects for 
making contributions to society as productive citizens. Youth eligible 
to participate in this demonstration project range between the ages of 
14 and 21.
    The youth direct service demonstration project grants must utilize 
existing community resources in order to attain their specific goals, 
including the achievement of training, education, and employment 
objectives; the transition of youth to independent living within the 
community; and a reduction in recidivism.
    The service strategies for ``high-risk'' youth projects should 
focus on providing assistance to promote staying in school, returning 
to school, training for a job in a ``demand'' occupation, employment or 
providing assistance to establish successful independent living. The 
youth projects should experiment with various services and systems, 
different levels and types of outreach, flexible but high quality 
support services, training and educational instruction, linkages with 
other service providing institutions including the WIA system, and 
support for employers and/or educational institutions to address the 
needs of the ``high risk'' youth population.
    The following are some illustrative concepts for projects that 
could be awarded under this subsection. However, the Department does 
not guarantee funding any of the concepts outlined below, and other 
possible strategies and approaches for serving at-risk youth will be 
given full consideration.
     Concept A--Projects could assist in the assimilation and 
adjustment process into society of youth and young adults involved with 
the criminal justice or penal systems. These high-risk youth

[[Page 67941]]

face special barriers to employment and training and may require 
support services such as counseling and education opportunities which 
may facilitate their reintroduction and improve their prospects for 
making contributions to society as productive citizens. These grants 
could be for the development, refinement, or expansion of youth day 
treatment centers which can offer an alternative to residential 
programs and demonstrate a cost-effective way to provide supportive 
services to juveniles without removing them from their communities. 
These projects should utilize existing community resources in order to 
attain their specific goals, including the achievement of training, 
education, and employment objectives; the transition of youth to 
independent living within the community; and a reduction in recidivism.
     Concept B--Projects could provide services for youth who 
are transitioning to independent living within the community from 
either foster care, homeless centers, or the criminal justice and penal 
systems. These projects would be intended to aid the adjustment of 
participants returning to their communities to enable them to have the 
necessary supports to improve their prospects for employment and 
education opportunities. Job training and placement and other support 
services such as counseling might be a part of the services provided. 
These might include education, training, employment, social and health 
services, counseling, mentoring, training in budgeting resources and 
time, making decisions/choices, being responsible, paying bills on 
time, relationships with faith based organizations in the community, 
contributing to the community through volunteer work, etc.
     Concept C--Projects could address the needs of out-of-
school and high-risk youth who reside in a community of high crime, 
poverty, and high levels of drug abuse. The community would have to be 
small, say less than 10,000 residents as indicated in the 1990 Census. 
This project might be designed to increase the academic achievements, 
community services activities, elimination in crime and drug 
activities, and increase in employment. It may also include life 
skills, job behavior training, and proper tutoring and counseling, 
including family counseling (if needed). The concept might establish 
partnerships and linkages with other youth service providers of the 
community including the local school, faith-based organizations, State, 
local, and other Federally-funded youth initiatives. Referrals might be 
made when needed to local health facilities, drug treatment centers and 
similar organizations. Job training could relate to the available 
employment in the local labor market and have full employer 
participation in the development of curriculum and job opportunities 
for participants. This concept may provide exposure to colleges, arts, 
crafts, culture, sports and recreation, and other supportive youth 
development activities. Bonds could also be made available through the 
Federal Bonding Program for youth with criminal records.
     Concept D--Projects could provide long-term (up to 2 
years) training in technological fields. The training curriculum 
(module) could be supported by several high-tech industries that are 
seeking employees in the fields in which participants are to be 
trained. The training could be provided to youth and young adults who 
have had little or no opportunity to be involved in this type of 
training. This program might develop relationships with employers who 
would contribute to this program through matching funds or in-kind by 
providing instructors, lecturers, on-the-job training opportunities, 
and job shadowing opportunities to all participants and certifying the 
training and instructors. In this concept, the project could also 
provide instructions in life skills and job skills behavior, mentoring, 
tutoring, and other case management services. The success of this 
project might be measured by the number of high-tech industries 
involved and the placement of the participants in unsubsidized jobs.
    Grants awarded under this section (both youth and adult direct 
service grants) may also focus more specifically on providing training 
in Information Technology
    (IT) occupations or training in other new and/or growing 
occupations in technological areas that are critical parts of jobs 
emerging in the grantees' labor market. For youth, a project focusing 
on training in IT or other new/growing occupations awarded under this 
grant should train no less that 50 participants who are either high 
school dropouts or high school graduates between the ages of 18-21. For 
adults, a project focusing on training in IT or other new/growing 
occupations under this grant should also train no less than 50 
participants from such populations as welfare recipients, low income 
seniors, displaced homeworkers, etc. to fill identified IT skills 
shortages.

Section C: Direct Service Grants for Adults

I. Purpose of Direct Services Grants for Aults
    Adult demonstration direct service projects will be expected to 
link with and build on resources available in the community, including 
human, educational, workforce development (through collaboration with 
local WIBs/PICs) and transportation services. These projects should 
prepare high-risk youth for high quality employment utilizing core and 
intensive services under WIA in addition to training services, as 
appropriate.
    As the problems faced by disadvantaged adult Americans and others 
seeking to achieve self-sufficiency are multi-faceted, the purpose of 
the adult section of the demonstration will be to ensure that quality 
job training services are provided to ``high-risk'' adults that will 
improve their earnings and retention rates in employment under Title I 
of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
    This component of the demonstration will encompass a variety of 
intervention strategies that help ``high-risk'' adults enter employment 
enabling them to advance towards high quality jobs with the level of 
earnings necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. Customized training 
programs and on-the-job training programs may be important components 
of these employment strategies. ``High quality'' employment is defined 
as jobs in long term, sustainable occupations that have career 
development ladders and will enable a worker to obtain livable wages.
    The objective of grants awarded under this section will be to 
prepare high-risk adults for ``high-quality'' jobs by utilizing a 
combination of both core and intensive services as described under WIA. 
These demonstration projects should emphasize preparing participants 
for entry into long-term, sustainable occupations where there are 
career development ladders, not jobs lacking the need for even basic 
skills. Thus, the preparation should focus on occupational areas such 
as information technology, health services, or other occupations 
(requiring high skills levels) in demand in their local labor market. 
As WIA emphasizes the need to ensure that training services be directly 
linked to job opportunities in their local area, the objective of these 
grants should be to ensure that services are in fact linked to local 
employment opportunities. As a result, these grants will be expected to 
build connections to local WIBs/PICs, while examining approaches that 
demonstrate how

[[Page 67942]]

``high-risk'' adults can be provided with quality workforce development 
services tailored to their unique individual needs.
    For high-risk adults, service strategies should focus on increasing 
these individuals' employment and earnings through work-based learning 
interventions such as on-the-job-training (OJT), apprenticeships, or 
job readiness training, along with occupational skills training and 
other necessary services based upon the development of an individual 
employment plan (which itself is an intensive service under WIA). 
Providing ``high risk'' adults with training that is directly linked to 
local employment opportunities is important because it provides low-
skilled individuals with a ``real world'' context for learning ``real 
world'' skills. Each grant providing a direct service to adults will 
provide an opportunity to examine how different combinations of 
services can best help prepare ``high-risk'' individuals to obtain 
high-quality'' employment.
    Grants awarded under this section (both youth and adult direct 
service grants) may also focus more specifically on providing training 
in Information Technology (IT) occupations or training in other new 
and/or growing occupations in technological areas that are critical 
parts of jobs emerging in the grantees' labor market. For youth, a 
project focusing on training in IT or other new/growing occupations 
awarded under this grant should train no less that 50 participants who 
are either high school dropouts or high school graduates between the 
ages of 18-21. For adults, a project focusing on training in IT or 
other new/growing occupations under this grant should also train no 
less than 50 participants from such populations as welfare recipients, 
low income seniors, displaced homeworkers, etc. to fill identified IT 
skills shortages.
II. Rating Criteria for Awards/Selection Process for Direct Service 
Grants (Youth and Adults)
    A careful evaluation of applications will be made by a technical 
review panel who will evaluate the applications against the criteria 
listed below. The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding 
on the Grant Officer. The Government may elect to award grants with or 
without discussions with the offerors. In situations without 
discussions, an award will be based on the offeror's signature on the 
Standard Form (SF) 424, which constitutes a binding offer. The 
Government reserves the right to make awards under this section of the 
solicitation to ensure geographical balance. The Grant Officer will 
make final award decisions based upon what is in the best interests of 
the Government.
1. Statement of Need (10 Pts.)
    The applicant should include a brief overview that documents the 
need for such a project and justifies the approach to be taken, 
including empirical evidence and appropriate anecdotal experience. The 
applicant should present the goals of the project and related 
objectives, and how these are to be achieved through the proposed 
project. Are the goals and objectives presented observable and 
measurable, and do they reflect the intended purpose of the project?
    Finally, the applicant should clearly define the population to be 
served in terms of its characteristics, including the age and number of 
participants to be served. The applicant should explain how the 
population is representative of the target population identified in 
this SGA. Further, the applicant should detail how the target 
population will benefit from the services they plan to provide under 
this demonstration.
2. Service Delivery Approach (40 Pts.)
    The applicant should discuss their overall approach to the delivery 
of workforce investment services to the population to be served 
specified in the Statement of Need. The applicant should demonstrate 
how they plan to partner with WIBs/PICs in ensuring that the training 
provided will be for jobs available in their local area. Thus, there 
should be a discussion of how the applicant plans to ensure that 
training provided will be for jobs that are in demand in the local 
labor market. The applicant should outline how it will obtain 
information on job opportunities in the local labor market area. The 
applicant should devise a strategy to make sure the training will 
target occupations which need to be filled by local area employers.
    The objective of direct service grants is to prepare ``high-risk'' 
youth and adults for high-quality jobs. Thus, the applicant should 
emphasize preparing participants for entry into occupations where there 
are career development ladders, not low-skilled, short-term jobs (e.g. 
dishwashers, hamburger cooks, etc). They should discuss in which high-
quality occupational areas (such as the growing information technology 
or health care fields) they plan to train their program participants, 
and how the training they provide will prepare participants for jobs in 
these occupations.
    Individual assessment and services strategies. The applicant's 
proposal should discuss how they will use various strategies to 
actively assess ``high-risk'' individuals and develop service 
strategies for each individual. Individual service strategies should 
allow for flexibility in meeting the needs of each project participant.
    Program elements. The applicant should utilize innovative 
strategies to address the barriers to employment for this population 
and demonstrate the flexibility of services to meet the needs, 
interests and aptitudes of the population specified in the Statement of 
Need, and facilitate high-risk youth and adults moving from dependency 
to independent living in their communities. In addition, the applicant 
should spell out what exact services they plan to utilize that will 
help prepare ``high-risk'' youth and adults for ``high quality'' 
employment over the long run. The applicant should discuss specific 
training activities built into their program including OJT or other 
work-based training and classroom training that will be established for 
program participants.
    Follow-up services. As required by the WIA, longer-term follow-up 
services must be provided to the participants with projects funded 
under this SGA. The applicant should discuss what services will be 
provided to participants during the follow-up period, and how long the 
follow-up period will typically be. In the proposal, the applicant 
should describe complementary strategies for long-term follow-up 
activities. Such a strategy may include ``soft-skills'' training, i.e., 
job behavior and life-skills training, conflict resolution, parenting 
classes, exposure to post-secondary education opportunities, service 
learning projects including peer mentoring and tutoring, organizational 
and teamwork training, training in decision-making including 
determining priorities, citizenship training, budgeting of resources, 
and regular contact with participants' employers, including assistance 
in addressing work-related peer support groups.
    Other Considerations. If applicable, the applicant's proposal 
should also discuss linkages to vocational training available in a 
range of occupations that are in demand locally. The applicant's 
proposal should discuss occupations for which they plan to develop new 
training opportunities; also the reasons why they selected these 
occupations, and how employers will be involved in designing the 
training to meet their needs and in providing on-the-job training and 
job opportunities for project participants. Finally, the

[[Page 67943]]

applicant should discuss using bonding when needed and how bonding will 
be integrated into the overall service strategy. If the applicant plans 
to use the Federal Bonding Program to assist in placing participants in 
private sector jobs, the applicant should discuss how they will 
integrate bonding into their program strategy.
3. Linkages With Key Actors and Sustainability (20 Pts.)
    The applicant should explain whether or not they have experience 
working with any component of their local workforce development system, 
including One Stops and/or WIBs/PICs. If so, they should explain the 
extent of the linkages and whether this relationship is expected to be 
strengthened under this grant.
    The applicant should discuss here how they will use Workforce 
Investment Act adult and youth formula funds to complement these grant 
funds, including, as appropriate, establishing satellite one-stop 
centers which will make services more accessible to ``high-risk'' youth 
and adults. The applicant should discuss the roles of the following 
organizations as appropriate for youth or adult projects: The juvenile 
or adult judiciary systems, parole officers, police departments, 
courts, social service agencies, health service agencies, local 
foundations, Boys and Girls Clubs, YWCAs and WMCAs, faith-based 
organizations, community development corporations, and State and 
locally funded programs and educational agencies. The applicant should 
also show any linkages with other agencies that serve ``high-risk'' 
youth and adults that are community-based, (e.g. U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development programs) and local transportation 
initiatives.
    In addition, the applicant should explain how they will leverage 
and align with other funds or other resources that will contribute to 
building the foundation for permanent partnerships to continue 
providing services to ``high-risk'' adults or youth (respectively) 
after funding for this grant expires.
4. Institutional and Staff Capacity (15 Pts.)
    The applicant should thoroughly describe the proposed management 
structure of the project, including the lead agency, core staff, and 
the experience of the lead agency and core staff in working with the 
target population for that project. They should also demonstrate their 
ability to provide quality job training to ``high-risk'' youth and 
adults, showing clearly the capability to work with individuals who 
have multiple environmental, social, and/or educational barriers to 
employment.
    Core staff. The project should have a project director who is 
dedicated full-time to the project, and who has experience in serving 
the needs of the high-risk population, and developing strategies for 
addressing their needs. Core staff for the project should also include 
individuals who have experience working with the eligible youth and/or 
adult population and the local employment and training system under the 
Job Training Partnership Act programs which preceded the WIA.
    Staff development activities. The applicant should discuss how they 
will provide initial training and offer development opportunities to 
staff who will provide the services to project participants. They 
should describe the innovative strategies, that will be used in the 
project, including educational opportunities at local community 
colleges, on-the-job training, seminars, workshops, etc.
    Service Delivery Experience. The applicant should discuss if they 
currently are using or have used interventions that address one or more 
barriers that help ``high-risk'' individuals transition into jobs, and 
what significant improvements to these interventions will be made under 
this grant opportunity. The applicant should also discuss if they have 
any past experience in training individuals for high-quality jobs 
(e.g., occupations such as health care, information technology (IT) 
specialities).
5. Evaluation/Measuring Results (15 Pts.)
    The applicant should explain what mechanisms are in place for 
reporting progress on a quarterly basis and for capturing and reporting 
on the results of project interventions. (Quarterly reports, an annual 
report and final report summarizing progress are required for projects 
funded under this SGA).
    As the applicant is responsible for hiring an outside independent 
evaluator, the applicant should also discuss how it plans to choose an 
evaluator to conduct a thorough evaluation of its demonstration project 
and (if known), provide the name of the organization that will conduct 
the project evaluation along with a description of that organization's 
evaluation capabilities and their previous experience in conducting 
similar evaluations. The applicant should describe the specific 
evaluation reports and other deliverables it plans to provide ETA as 
documentation of the demonstration's progress and results in terms of 
improved outcomes for demonstration participants.

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 30th day of November, 1999.
Laura Cesario,
Grant Officer.

4Appendix ``A'' Cover Sheet
Appendix ``B'' SF 424
Appendix ``C'' Budget Information Sheet

BILLING CODE 4510-30-P

[[Page 67944]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN03DE99.018



[[Page 67945]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN03DE99.019



[[Page 67946]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN03DE99.020



[[Page 67947]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN03DE99.021



[[Page 67948]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN03DE99.022



[FR Doc. 99-31358 Filed 12-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-C