[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 72 (Monday, April 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18243-18253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9088]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship (YDPA) Initiative; 
Availability of Funds and Solicitation of Grant Applications

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant 
applications (SGA).

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

This Notice Contains All of the Necessary Information and Forms 
Needed To Apply for Grant Funding

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training 
Administration, announces the competitive grants to be awarded under 
the Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship (YDPA) initiative. 
This initiative targets incumbent and prospective professional youth 
workers working directly with young people. The funding available for 
these grants to register apprenticeship programs and apprentices is 
$900,000 and includes two categories of national organizations for 
application and award. There are two categories of national 
organizations: (1) National organizations and (2) National 
organizations awarded a national organization grant award in response 
to the Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship (YDPA) 
Implementation Grant SGA published in Vol. 66, No. 65/Wednesday, April 
4, 2001.

DATES: Applications will be accepted commencing April 15, 2002. The 
closing date for receipt of applications is May 15, 2002, by 4:00 p.m. 
Eastern Daylight saving 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.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to: Mamie D. 
Williams, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training 
Administration, Division of Federal Assistance, Room S-4203, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Reference SGA/DFA 02-
110.

    Note: Your application should specify on the cover sheet whether 
you are applying for a category one or two grant.

Delivery of Applications

    Hand Delivered Proposals. It is preferred that applications be 
mailed at least five days prior to the closing date. To be considered 
for funding, hand-delivered applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. 
(Eastern Daylight Saving Time), on the closing date at the specified 
address.
    Telegraphed and/faxed applications will not be honored. Failure to 
adhere to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination of 
non-responsiveness.
    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:

[[Page 18244]]

     Was sent by U. S. Postal Service registered or certified 
mail not later than the fifth day (5th) calendar day before the closing 
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 deadline date specified for 
receipt of proposals in the SGA. The term ``working days'' excludes 
weekends and U.S. Federal holidays.
    The only acceptable evidence to establish the date of mailing of an 
application received after the deadline date for the receipt of 
proposals sent by the U.S. Postal Service. The term ``post marked'' 
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 or affixed on the date 
of mailing by employees of the U.S. Postal Service.
    Withdrawal of Applications. Applications may be withdrawn by 
written notice or telegram (including mailgram) received at any time 
before an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by the 
applicant or by an authorized representative thereof, 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 Mamie D. 
Williams at 202-693-2879. This is not a toll-free number. All inquiries 
should include the SGA/DFA number SGA/DFA 02-110, and a contact name, 
fax and phone numbers. This announcement will also be published on the 
Internet on the Employment and Training Administration's Home Page at 
http://www.doleta.gov. Award notifications will also be published on 
the Home Page.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Authority

    Section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act authorizes the use for 
demonstration program funds appropriated under section 174(b) for the 
purpose of developing and implementing techniques and approaches, and 
demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized methods, in addressing 
employment and training needs. Section 171(d) of the Workforce 
Investment Act authorizes the use for dislocated worker demonstration 
programs of funds reserved under section 132(a)(2)(A) and establishes 
the administration of these funds by the Secretary for that purpose 
under section 173(b). DOL FY 2000 Appropriations Act, enacted November 
17, 1999, authorizes dislocated worker demonstration projects that 
provide assistance to new entrants in the workforce and incumbent 
workers. Apprenticeship programs are authorized by The National 
Apprenticeship Act of 1937 Fitzgerald Act), Public Law 75-308 and 
clarified in Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations part 29.

II. Background

    This section describes the context for this initiative aimed at 
developing and supporting apprenticeship programs for professional 
youth workers.
    The enactment of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides a 
unique opportunity to strongly impact the youth workforce development 
system. WIA moves away from short-term, largely summer employment 
opportunities to longer-term more comprehensive services to eligible 
youth. The focus is on assisting young people to acquire the skills and 
competencies that they need to successfully transition to adulthood, 
careers and further education and training. Youth development 
recognizes that young people need a range of supports and opportunities 
for learning and for growth over a long period of time. Services under 
a youth development approach include opportunities for leadership 
development, basic supportive services as well as academic and 
occupational skills training and work experiences.
    Success in delivering the extensive services outlined by WIA 
depends not only on the quality of program design, but on the delivery 
of services to youth by front-line staff. Because youth services 
operate at the local level and are implemented by front-line youth 
workers, the role of youth workers is critical. Youth workers develop 
relationships with young people and provide crucial expertise and 
support to youth as they transition to adulthood and careers.
    There is broad applicability for working with young people 
regardless of the funding source. Our vision over time is that this 
will be embraced throughout the field of youth work and will encourage 
more young adults to pursue youth work as a career. The long-term 
success of the youth workforce development system requires a human 
capital strategy. We are seeking to upgrade the field of youth work 
through accreditation, training opportunities, apprenticeship and 
certification.

III. The Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship Initiative

    This initiative targets youth workers, those professionals who work 
or will work in youth programs delivering services to young people as 
front-line staff, to become apprentices in registered apprenticeship 
programs. The vision of occupation recognition and apprenticeship for 
youth workers is to provide quality training opportunities for youth 
workers who deliver comprehensive services to young people in order to 
maximize our investment in young people, in youth programming and in 
the workforce development system. There are two major goals for 
achieving occupation recognition and apprenticeship for Youth 
Development Practitioners. The first seeks to strengthen the field of 
youth work by providing training, mentoring and a career path for 
incumbent and prospective youth workers and, consequently, improve 
retention in the field. Secondly, this undertaking attempts to improve 
the quality of youth services by providing training standards; 
upgrading incumbent youth worker skills by increasing the number of 
youth workers who receive extensive, quality training; and increasing 
the stability of programs by helping to retain caring adult staff.
    Registered apprenticeship provides a vehicle to meet the goals 
outlined above. It provides an effective time-honored way to build a 
skilled, knowledgeable and loyal workforce. The combination of 
structured OJT and related technical instruction will offer Youth 
Development Practitioners a recognizable career path that includes high 
quality training and educational opportunities, while offering the 
field recognizable occupational standards. It also provides for 
recognition through the issuance of a nationally recognized Certificate 
of Completion.
    The Department of Labor awarded 13 Youth Development Practitioner 
Implementation Grants on June 30, 2001. Three categories of grants were 
awarded: (1) Funds for Local Intermediaries to Support Local Youth 
Program Service Operators in the Implementation of Apprenticeship 
Programs, (2) Grants to National Organizations, and (3) Provider of 
Technical Assistance on Practice and Curriculum Materials. The category 
three grantee, the Sar Levitan Center of Johns Hopkins University 
operates a website for this initiative. Information about YDPA 
initiative can be found on their website at www.ydpaclearinghouse.org

[[Page 18245]]

    The Department of Labor will continue to disseminate information 
and publicize the Youth Development Practitioner occupation and 
apprenticeship. These funds are intended to stimulate, seed and support 
the broad implementation of these apprenticeship programs within 
national organizations that have affiliate youth programs which employ 
youth development practitioners.

IV. Grant Categories

National Organizations (Category 1 and Category 2)

    We intend to support the development and registration of 
apprenticeship programs at the national and local level by supporting 
the broad implementation of the Youth Development Practitioner 
apprenticeship initiative by a national organization among its local 
affiliates. These grant awards seek to firmly establish apprenticeship 
within a national organization as a framework for staff development. 
National organizations are required to establish national guideline 
standards and register apprenticeship programs. Preference will be 
given to national organizations that demonstrate the ability to broadly 
implement the YDPA initiative within their organization and offer a 
strategic vision for maximizing impact within their organization. 
Examples of such a strategy may include: targeted implementation of 
affiliates within a state or region; coordination with other local or 
national organizations to implement the apprenticeship program in local 
communities and areas particularly as a way to develop and coordinate 
related instruction; and/or the development of an incentive program 
among affiliates. The national organization will develop a Youth 
Development Practitioner apprenticeship program for their local 
affiliates and will recruit affiliates to participate. The national 
organization will be responsible for developing a supportive system 
within their organization that coordinates and provides technical 
assistance to facilitate affiliate participation and provide ongoing 
support.
    Thousands of local youth program service providers are affiliated 
with a national organization. This affiliation may take a number of 
forms. For example, a program may be a local chapter of a national 
organization that provides a range many types of community services, 
including youth programs.

Outcomes

    Funded National Organizations (both category 1 and 2) are 
responsible for:
     Coordinating broad implementation of registered Youth 
Development Practitioner apprenticeship programs among affiliates or 
members
     Establishing an infrastructure within the national 
organization that provides ongoing support to participating programs, 
provides access to necessary training, coordinates outreach and 
recruitment, conducts evaluation, disseminates information including 
promotional materials, best practices and lessons learned, and monitors 
retention
     Certification of National Guideline Standards and 
registration of apprenticeship programs with participating apprentices 
before the end of the grant period
     Establishing a career path for apprentices including 
additional credentialing and necessary articulation agreements with 
post-secondary institutions
     Developing a mechanism for evaluation of activities 
undertaken that includes measurable results of impact
     Develop and operationalize a plan for sustainability to 
support this initiative after the grant has ended

Activities That May Be Supported Under This Grant Include:

     Development of a sustainable infrastructure and an 
oversight or advisory body to provide direction and guidance;
     Development of an outreach/communication plan to promote 
the apprenticeship and encourage broad affiliate participation;
     Development and dissemination of information materials on 
registered youth development practitioner programs;
     Identification of relevant curriculum for delivery of 
related instruction;
     Development of a recruitment and retention plan for 
participating apprentices and programs;
     Convening local youth program operators for the purpose of 
outreach, sharing of practice, technical assistance and training of 
journey level staff for delivery and assessment of on-the-job training;
     Adoption of or establishment of a train-the-trainer system 
that will ensure the availability of knowledgeable, experienced skilled 
instructors for delivery of on-the-job training and related instruction 
course work;
     Delivery of related instruction;
     Development of a process to promote career ladder for 
those graduates of the registered apprenticeship system (i.e. 
articulation into an Associates Degree or higher);
     Identification and dissemination of information on 
practice
     Defining, setting and documenting measurable goals or 
benchmarks for grant activities; and
     Documenting processes, lessons learned and effective 
practices.
     Development of an incentive system among affiliates.

V. Eligible Applicants

    You are an eligible applicant for these grants if you are a not-
for-profit organization, established under section 501(c)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code. To be an eligible applicant for Category 2, you 
must have been awarded a National Organization grant in response to 
YDPA Implementation Grant SGA published in Vol. 66, No. 65/Wednesday, 
April 4, 2001.

    Note: Except as specifically provided, DOL/ETA acceptance of a 
proposal and an award of federal funds to sponsor any program(s) 
does not provide a waiver of any grant requirement and/or 
procedures. For example, the OMB circulars require that an entity's 
procurement procedures must require that all procurement 
transactions must be conducted, as practical, to provide open and 
free competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity to 
provide the services, the DOL/ETA's award does not provide the 
justification or basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., avoid 
competition.


    Note: Administrative Costs: Pursuant to 20 CFR 667.210(b), 
grantees are advised that there is a 10% limitation on 
administrative costs on funds administered under this grant. The 
Grant Officer may, however, approve additional administrative costs 
up to a maximum of 15% of the total award amount, if adequate 
justification is provided by the grantee at the time of the award. 
In no event, may administrative costs exceed 15% of the total award 
amount. The cost of administration shall include those disciplines 
enumerated in 20 CFR 6667.220(b) and (c).

Number and Amounts of Grants Awards

    We expect to award up to eight (8) national organization grants. 
Category 1 national organizations may apply for grants in amounts 
ranging between $150,00-$200,000. Category 2 national organizations, 
current YDPA grantees, are eligible to apply for grants in amounts 
ranging between $50,000-$100,000.

Period of Performance

    Grant awards will be made for a period of 18 months.

[[Page 18246]]

Application Submittal

    Applicants must submit one (1) copy of their proposal with an 
original signature and two (2) copies of their proposal. The 
applications shall be divided into two distinct parts: Part I--which 
contains the Standard Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance,'' (Appendix A) and ``Budget Information Sheet,'' Appendix 
B). The Catalog of Federal Assistance number is 17.260. 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 individual signing the 
SF-424 on behalf of the applicant must represent the responsible 
financial and administrative entity for a grant should that application 
result in an award. The budget must include, on a separate page, a 
detailed breakout of each line item.
    Part II--Project Narrative--will be the technical proposal not to 
exceed 20 double-spaced single-sided, numbered pages, with a limit of 
10 additional pages of support/commitment letters. The exception for 
format requirements applies to the Executive Summary. The Executive 
Summary must be limited to no more that two (2) single-sided pages. A 
font size of at least twelve (12) pitch is required throughout the 
application. Applicants that fail to meet the page limitation 
requirements will not be considered. You can include letters of support 
if they provide specific commitments. While applicants will not receive 
points simply because letters of support are enclosed, such letters may 
lead to a better score by showing that commitments presented in the 
text of your proposal are serious. Form letters will not be considered.

Review Process

    A careful evaluation of applications will be made by a technical 
review panel who will evaluate the applications against the established 
criteria listed below. The panel results are advisory in nature and are 
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. All applications must 
include the required elements. Final award decisions will be based on 
the best interests of the government, including consideration of 
geographic area and variety amount types of organizations awarded 
grants.

Evaluation Criteria

Category 1: Grants to National Organizations

    (1) Experience and capacity of the organization to reach, influence 
and support local youth program providers in development of registered 
apprenticeship programs. (35 points)
     Provide organization information: What is the mission of 
the organization? How many affiliate members does this organization 
have and where are they located?
     What is the relationship of the national organization to 
its affiliates or members? How does the organization communicate with 
its members? What are examples of technical assistance provided to 
local affiliates or members?
     What existing and new partnerships will be utilized to 
increase the capacity of the organization to implement apprenticeship 
programs?
    (2) Soundness and quality of plan of activity. (40 points)
     Detail your strategy for implementing the YDPA in your 
organization (see section IV under National Organizations regarding 
preference for award). Include the number of affiliates projected to 
participate and your basis for identifying this number. List 
participating affiliates, if the list is incomplete, outline plan for 
securing additional participation. Commit or support letters from 
affiliates may be attached to support. (Preference will be given to 
national organizations that demonstrate high levels of participation 
among affiliates.)
     Delineate the specific activities proposed to support the 
development of registered apprenticeship programs and their time lines 
(be sure to address reasonableness of time lines presented).
     Outline strategies to mobilize interest among affiliates 
(beyond dissemination efforts) and replicate Youth Development 
Practitioner apprenticeship programs?
     Describe the infrastructure that will be developed to 
provide ongoing support to participating affiliates.
     Outline plan for the delivery of related instruction. 
Identify key partners (i.e. training providers, post-secondary 
institutions) who will be involved in this plan.
     Outline how your organization will create a career for 
additional credentialing. Outline your plan for engaging post-secondary 
institutions and support local affiliates to secure articulation 
agreements. If available, attach letters of support.
     Provide plan for evaluating the activities undertaken and 
how the impact of the program will be measured (include data to be 
collected).
    (3) Commitment and plans for sustaining support after federal grant 
has ended. (25 points)
     Provide a chart that delineates specific resources 
[including monetary and other types of resources (staff, facilities, 
etc.)] that will contribute to the sustainability of this project as 
well as how these resources will be coordinated. Include the 
organization's resources and external partnership commitments. Identify 
additional partnerships that will be pursued.
     Explain how activities to promote and support registered 
apprenticeship will be incorporated into ongoing activities of the 
organization. Outline plan for sustaining infrastructure after funding 
has ended.
     Explain how promising practices of affiliates or members 
will be disseminated on an ongoing basis.

Category 2: Funds to Existing YDPA National Organization Grantees

    Additional grant funds are being made available to original YDPA 
grantees in order to expand their implementation of the YDPA initiative 
by engaging additional affiliates and further solidifying the 
initiative within the national organization infrastructure.
    (1) Demonstration of successful implementation of current grant. 
(35 points)
     Describe the capacity of your organization to expand the 
YDPA initiative. Include the mission/vision statement and description 
of the organization.
     Provide an outline of planned activities and the timeline 
of the current grant (include section 2 from the evaluation section of 
your original grant proposal as well as supplemental information 
developed since the grant's inception). If the timeline has not been 
achieved to date, provide an explanation and adjusted scheduled.
     Attach the quarterly reports submitted to the Department 
of Labor for Quarter 3 (qualitative report that includes quarters 1, 2 
& 3).
     Outline challenges encountered during implementation of 
current YDPA implementation grant and the strategies to address these 
challenges (already employed, ongoing and/or planned).
    (2) Expansion of current YDPA grant. (40 points)

[[Page 18247]]

     Detail how increased funds will broaden your 
implementation of YDPA. Outline a strategic plan to grow this 
initiative within your organization (see section IV under National 
Organizations). Include:
     The number of affiliates projected to participate and your 
basis for identifying this number. List participating affiliates, if 
the list is incomplete, outline plan for securing additional 
participation. Provide a plan for their integration into your 
organization's current YDPA activities. Commitment letters from 
affiliates may be attached to support. (Preference will be given to 
national organizations that demonstrate high levels of participation 
among affiliates.)
     Outline additional activities planned if additional funds 
are awarded.
     Detail how additional funds can further solidify the YDPA 
initiative within your organization.
     Provide a modified work plan/timeline of activities that 
integrates activities from current YDPA grant and additional activities 
proposed above.
    (3) Commitment and plans for sustaining support after federal grant 
has ended. (25 Points)
     Provide a chart that delineates specific resources 
[including monetary and other types of resources (staff, facilities, 
etc.)] that will contribute to the sustainability of this project as 
well as how these resources will be coordinated. Include the 
organizations resources and external partnership commitments. Identify 
additional partnerships that will be pursued.
     Explain how activities to promote and support registered 
apprenticeship will be incorporated into ongoing activities of the 
organization. Outline plan for sustaining infrastructure after funding 
has ended.
     Explain how promising practices of affiliates or members 
will be disseminated on an ongoing basis.
    The closing date for receipt of proposals is May 15, 2002. Your 
application should specify on the cover whether you are applying for a 
grant under Category 1 and Category 2 (Appendix C).

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 10th day of April, 2002.
James W. Stockton,
Grants Officer.

Required Forms:

Appendix A
Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424)
Appendix B
Budget Information Sheet
Detailed budget and budget information sheet
Appendix C
Cover Sheet
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P

[[Page 18248]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN15AP02.026


[[Page 18249]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN15AP02.027


[[Page 18250]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN15AP02.028


[[Page 18251]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN15AP02.029


[[Page 18252]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN15AP02.030


[[Page 18253]]


[FR Doc. 02-9088 Filed 4-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-C