[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6958-6970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3338]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[SGA/DFA 03-102]


Work Incentive Grants

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), DOL.

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

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    This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms 
needed to apply for grant funding.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA), announces the availability of approximately $17 
million to award competitive grants designed to enhance the 
employability, employment and career advancement of people with 
disabilities through enhanced service delivery in the new One-Stop 
delivery system established under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 
(WIA). The Work Incentive Grant program will provide grant funds to 
consortia and/or partnerships of public and private non-profit entities 
working in coordination with the One-Stop delivery system to augment 
the existing programs and services and ensure programmatic access and 
streamlined, seamless service delivery for people with disabilities.

DATES: Applications will be accepted commencing on February 11, 2003. 
The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is 
March 28, 2003. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. (ET) at the 
address below. 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 
honored.

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor, 
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal Assistance, 
Attention: B. Jai Johnson, SGA/DFA 03-102, 200 Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210. Telefacsimile (FAX) 
applications will not be accepted. Applicants are advised that mail in 
the Washington area may be delayed due to mail decontamination 
procedures.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: B. Jai Johnson, Grants Management 
Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance, Telephone (202) 693-3301 
(this is not a toll-free number). You must specifically ask for B. Jai 
Johnson. Questions can also be faxed to B. Jai Johnson, Telephone (202) 
693-2879, please include the SGA/DFA 03-102, a contact name, fax and 
phone numbers. This announcement will also be published on the Internet 
on the ETA's disAbility online Home Page at: http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability/, and the ETA homepage at http://www.doleta.gov. Award 
notifications will also be published on the ETA homepage.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Part I. Delivery of Applications

    1. Late Applications. Any application received after the exact date 
and time specified for receipt at the office designated in this notice 
will not be considered, unless it is received before awards are made 
and it--(a) was sent by U.S. Postal Service registered or certified 
mail not later than the fifth calendar day before the date specified 
for receipt of applications (e.g., an application submitted in response 
to a solicitation requiring receipt of applications by the 20th of the 
month must have been post marked by the 15th of that month); or (b) was 
sent by the U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service to 
addressee not later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing two working 
days prior to the date specified for receipt of applications. The term 
``working days'' excludes weekends and Federal holidays. ``Post 
marked'' means

[[Page 6959]]

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 an employee of the U.S. Postal Service.
    2. Withdrawal of Applications. Applications may be withdrawn by 
written notice or telegram (including mail gram) 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 of the proposal.
    3. 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 p.m., 
ET, at the specified address. Failure to adhere to the above 
instructions will be basis for a determination of non-responsiveness. 
Overnight express mail from carriers other than the U.S. Postal Service 
will be considered hand-delivered applications and must be received by 
the above specified date and time.

Part II. Authority

    Provisions relating to the One-Stop delivery system are at sections 
121, 134(c), 189(c) of the Workforce Investment Act (29 U.S.C. 2841, 
2864(c), 2939(c); Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49f(d) and (e) and 
Department of Labor Appropriations Act for 2002 [Pub. L. 107-116]. 
Regulations governing the Workforce Investment Act are at 20 CFR parts 
652, 660-671, (65 FR 49294 (August 11, 2000)).

Part III. Background

    The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) establishes 
comprehensive reform of existing Federal job training programs with 
amendments impacting service delivery under the Wagner-Peyser Act, 
Adult Education and Literacy Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. WIA also 
repeals and supersedes the Job Training Partnership Act. A number of 
other Federal programs are also identified as required partners in the 
One-Stop delivery system in order to provide comprehensive services for 
all Americans to access the information and resources available to 
assist them in the development and implementation of their career 
goals. The intention of the One-Stop system is to establish programs 
and employment service providers in co-located and integrated settings 
that are accessible for individuals and businesses alike in 
approximately 600 workforce investment areas established throughout the 
nation.
    WIA establishes State and Local Workforce Investment Boards focused 
on strategic planning, policy development, and oversight of the 
workforce system with significant authority for the Governor and chief 
elected officials in local areas to build on existing reforms in order 
to implement innovative and comprehensive workforce investment systems. 
Recognizing that many One-Stop delivery systems may not currently have 
the capacity to provide comprehensive services to people with 
disabilities, the Work Incentive Grant is designed to provide seed 
monies to support the development of the One-Stop infrastructure with 
an objective of achieving model, seamless and comprehensive services 
for people with disabilities.
    Many people with disabilities are looking to the new workforce 
investment system to address their employment and training needs in a 
progressive, enlightened environment with cutting-edge technologies. 
They also expect the One-Stop delivery system to provide comprehensive 
services to meet multiple barriers, which frequently limit their access 
to a productive, economically rewarding work life. These services may 
include, but are not limited to, the availability of basic skill 
development; vocational skill training or advanced educational 
opportunities; apprenticeship and entrepreneurial training; 
transportation assistance to reach training or employment sites; 
housing assistance or advice on retaining existing housing upon 
employment; and access to medical health coverage upon employment. 
Twenty-three Work Incentive Grants were awarded at the end of October 
2000 for a thirty-month period. A second round of Work Incentive Grants 
were awarded in May 2002 for a twenty-four month period. If you would 
like more information on round one and two Work Incentive Grant awards, 
please go to http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability/.
    This Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) is for grant awards 
for the Work Incentive Grant program with funds made available July 1, 
2002, under the DOL Fiscal Year 2002 appropriation. The Work Incentive 
Grant program is consistent with the objectives of the President's New 
Freedom Initiative. This year's Work Incentive Grant announcement 
continues an emphasis on addressing infrastructure inadequacies and 
programmatic access of the One-Stop system for people with 
disabilities, including grant funds available for procuring assistive 
technology. Statement of Work criteria continues an emphasis on support 
for staffing capacity but with additional language that is modeled on a 
joint ETA/SSA Disability Program Navigator initiative that will soon be 
piloted in several states. For more information on the Navigator 
initiative, please go to: http://wdsc.doleta.gov/disability/.

Part IV. Funding Availability and Period of Performance

    The Department of Labor anticipates awarding approximately 20-40 
grants ranging from $100,000 to $700,000. Awards to one or more local 
Workforce Investment Boards will generally be limited to no more than 
$300,000. Awards to state-wide grantees (including a single local 
Workforce Investment area State) will generally be limited to no more 
than $700,000. Awards to current Work Incentive Grantees that submit 
proposals under this SGA will be limited to $150,000 for one or more 
local Workforce Investment Boards and $500,000 to state-wide grant 
proposals. The period of performance will be approximately 24 months 
from the date of execution by the Department. The grant funds will be 
available for expenditure until June 30, 2005. The Department may elect 
to extend these grants based on the availability of new funds and 
satisfactory performance; but in no case may the FY 2002 Work Incentive 
Grant funds made available under this notice be expended after June 30, 
2005.

Part V. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are state departments of labor or applicable 
state entity administering the Wagner-Peyser and Title I Workforce 
Investment Act programs; state level Workforce Investment Boards; an 
individual local Workforce Investment Board; or several local Workforce 
Investment Boards applying jointly.
    The Department of Labor encourages applicants to work in 
partnership with other disability-related public and private 
organizations. Partners may include: state/local public agencies such 
as Vocational Rehabilitation; State Councils for Independent Living; 
local Centers for Independent Living (CIL's); state mental health 
agencies, state mental retardation and Developmental Disability 
Councils; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) agencies; and 
private, non-profit organizations such as disability advocacy and 
provider organizations, federally-funded disability grant entities, 
including faith-based entities,

[[Page 6960]]

which provide services for people with disabilities.
    Statewide applications must propose strategies for enhancing and 
improving services to people with disabilities involving all local 
workforce investment areas in the state. The Department will consider 
statewide proposals from a local Workforce Investment Board, or Boards 
submitting jointly, but letters of commitment from the state level 
Workforce Investment Board must be included in the application.
    Applications that are not statewide projects but which involve one 
or more local workforce investment areas should also include letters of 
commitment from each Local Board covered under the grant, or one letter 
of commitment signed by all Local Boards in the local area (if all 
commitments cannot be obtained, explanation must be provided).
    Current Work Incentive grantees may apply under this solicitation 
but must identify significant need and address outstanding deficiencies 
or propose a significant improvement to the local workforce investment 
system that has not been accomplished under the current grant. 
Provisions regarding eligible applicants identified in the first 
paragraph of this Part V are still required.
    Indian and Native American Tribal entities, or consortia of Tribes, 
may apply for Work Incentive Grants. These grants would involve 
coordination of services and enhancements to a One-Stop system approach 
for people with disabilities in a specific Indian community or covering 
multiple Tribal entities that may cut across multiple States and/or 
workforce investment areas. In such cases, letters of commitment from 
Local Boards are not required. Grants to Indian and Native American 
tribal grantees are treated differently because of sovereignty and 
self-governance established under the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act allowing for the government-to-government 
relationship between the Federal and Tribal Governments.

    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.

Part VI. Format Requirements for Grant Application

    General Requirements--Applicants must submit one (1) copy with an 
original signature and 2 additional copies of their proposal. The 
Application Narrative must be double-spaced, and on single-sided, 
numbered pages with the exception of format requirements for the 
Executive Summary. The Executive Summary must be limited to no more 
than two single-spaced, single-sided pages. A font size of at least 
twelve (12) pitch is required throughout.
    There are three required sections of the application. Requirements 
for each section are provided in this application package. Applications 
that fail to meet the requirements will not be considered.

Section I--Project Financial Plan
Section II--Executive Summary--Project Synopsis
Section III--Project Narrative (including Attachments, not to exceed 
40 pages)

    Section I. Project Financial Plan--Section I of the application 
must include the following three required parts:
    [sbull] Completed ``SF 424--Application for Federal Assistance'' 
(See Appendix A of this SGA for required form)
    [sbull] Completed ``Budget Information Form'' by line item for all 
costs required to implement the project design effectively. (See 
Appendix B of this SGA for required forms.)
    [sbull] Budget narrative/justification, which provides sufficient 
information to support the reason-ableness of the costs, included in 
the budget in relation to the service strategy and planned outcomes.
    The application must include one SF 424 with the original 
signatures of the legal entity applying for grant funding and 2 
additional copies. Applicants shall indicate on the SF 424 the 
organization's IRS Status, if applicable. Under the Lobbying Disclosure 
Act of 1995, Section 18 (29 U.S.C. 1611), 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. For item 10 of the SF 424, 
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for the 
program is 17.207.
    The Project Financial Plan will not count against the application 
page limits. The financial plan must describe all costs associated with 
implementing the project that are to be covered with grant funds. All 
costs should be necessary and reasonable according to the Federal 
guidelines set forth in the ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments,'' 
(also known as the ``Common Rule'') codified at 29 CFR part 97, and 
``Grants and Agreements with Institutes of Higher Education, Hospitals, 
and Other Non-Profit Organizations (also known as OMB Circular A-110), 
codified at 29 CFR part 95, and must comply with the applicable OMB 
cost principles circulars, as identified in 29 CFR 95.27 and 29 CFR 
97.22(b).

    Please Note: Work Incentive Grant project designs may 
incorporate procurement or implementation of software or hardware to 
assure assistive and accessible technologies in the One-Stop 
setting, which may equal up to 40% of the grant award.

    Section II. Executive Summary--Project Synopsis [Format 
requirements for the Executive Summary are limited to no more than two 
single-spaced, single-sided pages] Each application shall include a 
project synopsis, which identifies the following:
    The applicant;
    The type of organization the applicant represents;
    Identification of consortium partners and the type of organizations 
they represent;
    The project service area;
    Whether the service area is an entire local workforce investment 
area, more than one local area, or all local areas in a State;
    The amount of funds requested;
    The planned period of performance;
    The comprehensive strategy proposed for providing seamless service 
delivery, for addressing the multi-faceted barriers to training and 
employment that affect people with disabilities, and for improving 
access for people with disabilities in the mainstream workforce system 
(i.e., WIA Title I and Wagner Peyser funded programs);
    The ways in which the proposal is coordinated with other disability 
related grant initiatives from DOL, Department of Education (ED), 
Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Social Security 
Administration (SSA), Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) 
or other Federal partners;
    --How counseling and other support needs will be addressed in the 
One-Stop Center system;
    --The actions already taken by the State or Local Workforce 
Investment Board to address the needs of people with disabilities in 
the One-Stop delivery system;
    --The extent to which the One-Stop facilities and satellite site(s) 
incorporate physical access for people with disabilities;

[[Page 6961]]

    --The extent to which Vocational Rehabilitation is integrated or 
coordinated with the One-Stop delivery system;
    --Data on the extent to which people with disabilities have been 
served under the Wagner-Peyser Act, and WIA and previously, under the 
Job Training Partnership Act;
    --The level of commitment the applicant and consortium members have 
to serving people with disabilities; and
    --The extent and manner in which the needs of individuals with 
disabilities from diverse cultural and/or ethnic groups will be 
addressed.
    Section III. Project Narrative [Project Narrative plus attachments 
are limited to no more than forty (40) double-spaced, single-sided, 
numbered pages. Letters of general support or recommendation for a 
proposal should NOT be submitted and will count against the page 
limits. Note: The Executive Summary is not included in this forty (40)-
page limit.].
    The Section III Project Narrative requirements are described below 
under Part IV--Government Requirements/Statement of Work section.

Part VII. Government Requirements/Statement of Work

    The Project Narrative, or Section III of the grant application, 
should provide complete information on how the applicant will address 
the following Department of Labor priorities for the Program Year (PY) 
2002 Work Incentive Grant program to achieve enhancements to the basic 
infrastructure and service delivery of the One-Stop system, in 
particular Wagner-Peyser and WIA-funded programs:
    (1) Developing comprehensive One-Stop Centers which are welcoming 
and are valued providers of choice by customers with disabilities 
seeking workforce assistance by assuring the availability of staff 
trained on disability issues, personalized employment counseling, 
knowledgeable support related to addressing employment barriers and 
work incentives, and availability of accommodations and assistive 
technologies for diverse disability needs.
    (2) Implement strategies, which significantly increase 
opportunities for skill training, career and job development for people 
with disabilities resulting in self-sustaining employment and career 
advancement through participation in the One-Stop system.
    Proposals will be rated based upon addressing the areas listed in 
the four criteria in terms of a comprehensive strategic approach that 
addresses the Department's priorities noted above. The four criteria 
(Statement of Need, Comprehensive Service Strategy, Innovation and 
Model Services, and Demonstrated Capability) must be addressed and 
include applicant accomplishments or status with regard to each item. 
However, the Department does not expect the applicant to incorporate 
every item listed as part of their strategy and proposal design. The 
Department recognizes that the needs and requirements of each state 
and/or local workforce investment area may be different, and, 
therefore, some of the options identified may be more relevant than 
others in order to address the Department's priorities in a particular 
state and/or local area. For example, a state may have already provided 
extensive assistive technology throughout their One-Stop Career Centers 
and need to focus more on other accessibility or accommodation issues, 
outreach to the disability community and coordination with partner 
programs and, therefore, the proposal would identify this fact and not 
direct significant (or any) resources to procuring assistive 
technology.
    With regard to the Department's priority to increase the 
availability of skill training, employment opportunities and career 
advancement for persons with disabilities, it has established the 
following Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals for PY 
2003 (July 1, 2003-June 30, 2004):
    ``Increase the capacity and quality of One-Stop system services for 
people with disabilities who are registered in the workforce investment 
area(s) receiving Work Incentive Grants.'' The performance indicators 
for achieving this goal are:
    [sbull] 5% more individuals with disabilities will be served than 
were served in the workforce area(s) in PY 2001 under the adult, 
dislocated worker and youth programs;
    [sbull] Of those with disabilities served, 5% more individuals with 
disabilities will be placed in unsubsidized employment after program 
exit than were placed in PY 2001; and
    Of those placed in the first quarter after program exit, 5% more 
individuals with disabilities will be employed in the third quarter 
after exit than were retained in PY 2001.

    Note: When determining the focus and objectives of the applicant 
proposal, it will be helpful for applicants to also review past 
products and approaches taken by former grantees that are identified 
on the One-Stop Toolkit Web site at: http://www.onestoptoolkit.org/ 
In addition to obtaining strategic approaches that may be helpful, 
the Department would like to encourage leveraging of products that 
have been previously developed and reduce duplication where 
possible.

1. Statement of Need [25 points]

    The purpose of the Statement of Need criteria is to establish the 
overall status of disability related issues in the applicant's 
workforce investment area, identify strengths and deficiencies to be 
addressed by the applicant proposal, identify the overall scope of 
proposal objectives and design, and present the applicant's need for 
Work Incentive Grant resources to achieve improvements to their 
workforce system for persons with disabilities. All items must be 
addressed although a number of them are for information purposes. This 
criteria will be rated based upon applicant needs identified and 
proposed approaches to address these needs in the context of the 
Department's priorities.
    For proposals targeted to a specific Indian community or covering 
multiple Tribal entities which may cut across multiple States and/or 
local areas, describe the overall approach of the project, and identify 
the inadequacies and deficiencies of the service delivery to the 
applicable community, and how the project expects to address these.
    A. Identify the number of workforce investment areas in the State 
and the geographic jurisdiction of each local workforce investment 
area(s) in the State.
    B. Identify which local area(s) in the State will be covered by the 
project and whether the project is Statewide, involves multiple local 
areas or is for a single local area.
    C. Identify whether a Work Incentive Grant award was received in 
the October 2000 or May 2002 award announcements covering the 
identified workforce investment areas in this application and the 
reasons for application under this Solicitation for Grant Application.
    D. Identify partners/consortium members if any, their primary 
mission irrespective of participation in the grant proposal, and what 
political and geographic jurisdictions (e.g., cities, counties, 
subsections of cities/counties) they cover.
    E. Describe how the project will address a primary objective of the 
Work Incentive Grant program to assure the integration of people with 
disabilities into the workforce investment system, including the 
availability of Wagner-Peyser and WIA Title I programs and services.
    F. Identify the percentage of people with disabilities in the State 
and/or

[[Page 6962]]

local area, including the percentage of people who are beneficiaries of 
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Social Security 
Income Program (SSI).
    G. Identify the most recent unemployment rate(s) in the workforce 
investment area(s) covering the project.
    H. Describe any significant deficiencies in the State or local 
workforce investment system that represent barriers to employment for 
people with disabilities and what will be accomplished under this grant 
to address them.
    I. Identify additional State and/or local funds and resources that 
will be used to support the overall objectives of the grant and which 
will assist in addressing the identified issues the grant project is 
addressing.
    J. Recognizing that the One-Stop delivery system may not have 
extensive knowledge or skills in working with people with disabilities, 
describe the level of expertise of the One-Stop system in the local 
area(s) addressed in the grant and the projects plans for addressing 
inadequacies.
    K. Describe the overall status and actions taken to-date by the 
One-Stop delivery system to address services to people with 
disabilities. This should include actions that assured that: (1) State 
and/or local facilities are physically and programmatically accessible; 
(2) training is provided to staff; (3) the number and percent of people 
with disabilities receiving services under WIA and Employment Service 
programs (or Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) if applicable, during 
the previous three years compared with that of people without 
disabilities.
    L. Describe how the applicant will increase services, skill 
training, employment outcomes, job retention and career advancement for 
persons with disabilities and how it will achieve the GPRA goals 
identified above.

2. Comprehensive Service Strategy [25 points]

    The purpose of the Comprehensive Service Strategy criteria is to 
identify the approach proposed by the grantee to establish a welcoming 
and seamless service delivery system for persons with disabilities. In 
general, this requires extensive linkages and on-site knowledge of 
applicable resources that address multiple disability issues and 
barriers to employment that are commonly experienced by persons with 
disabilities. Disability issues are often very complex and the 
disability community is very diverse. These factors present significant 
challenges to the workforce system in providing first class services to 
individuals with disabilities. At the same time, the comprehensive 
nature of the One-Stop Career Center system establishes an 
infrastructure on the workforce that is uniquely positioned to provide 
the kind of seamless service delivery that the disability community has 
long been seeking. A centralized location where information on 
transportation, housing, Medicare, Medicaid, SSA benefits as well as 
skill training and employment services can be obtained. The Department 
will be rating this criteria on the approach proposed by the applicant 
to address these concerns.
    The first item listed below establishes aspects of staff capacity 
that may be incorporated into the applicant proposal. Please note that 
applicants are not required to implement Disability Program Navigator 
positions. However, it has been the experience of many previous Work 
Incentive Grantees that this kind of staff capacity has been very 
successful in improving overall services delivery of their One-Stop 
Career Centers. As with other criteria, the Navigator description 
provided is neither prescriptive, nor necessarily all inclusive, but 
establishes examples of the roles and functions of such a position 
depending upon the needs of the One-Stop and the skills and talents of 
the individual Navigator.
    A. Staff Capacity--Disability Program Navigator: Identify how you 
will ensure that trained staff are available to provide counseling or 
employment planning support who have adequate knowledge of diverse 
disabilities. This staff capacity may include knowledge and skills that 
are very similar to those incorporated in the Disability Program 
Navigator initiative (joint ETA/SSA initiative identified in Part II, 
Background). The Disability Program Navigator (``Navigator'') has 
expertise in and knowledge of a broad range of Federal, State, local, 
and private work incentive and other employment support programs. The 
Navigator provides service and information to persons with 
disabilities, including SSI and SSDI beneficiaries, on how to enter, 
re-enter, or retain unsubsidized, competitive employment, including SSA 
work incentives, other employment support programs and the Ticket to 
Work program. The Navigator also provides information on these 
resources to other staff and will work directly with people with 
disabilities to access, facilitate, and ``navigate'' the complex 
provisions under various programs, including SSA's employment support 
programs. Navigators also develop comparable expertise and provides 
training to One-Stop Center staff and other staff on available 
resources under One-Stop programs, SSA employment support programs and 
other programs, as well as to individuals with disabilities in order to 
deliver a comprehensive, seamless delivery of One-Stop services and 
access to programs that will meet the needs of persons with 
disabilities in an effective manner. Navigators network and partner 
with other agencies and organizations such as Benefits Planning, 
Assistance and Outreach organizations (BPAOs), Protection and Advocacy 
systems (P&As), Employment Networks (ENs), (including State Vocational 
Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies), etc. (e.g., SSA FOs, BPAOs, P&As, ENs) 
to obtain correct information or properly refer individuals with 
disabilities for additional information and services to assist them 
transition to careers or maintain current employment. The Navigator may 
also:
    [sbull] Provide information on the following programs that support 
successful entry or re-entry into the workforce: TANF programs and 
services for people with disabilities, state and local mental health 
and developmental disability programs and providers, Medicaid and 
Medicare provisions; state and local housing provisions and supports; 
transportation subsidies and programs; and other state and/or local 
services designed to support employment and transition from public 
benefits to careers.
    [sbull] Assess, on an ongoing basis, One-Stop Career Center 
facilities, services, programs and equipment to insure these are 
accessible to people with disabilities;
    [sbull] Work with designated Equal Employment Opportunity 
officer(s), the Local Workforce Investment Board and the One-Stop 
Operator to ensure that One-Stop Career Center facilities, services, 
programs and equipment are accessible to people with disabilities, 
including ensuring the availability of publications and materials in 
alternate formats; and
    [sbull] Develop expertise on state of the art rehabilitation 
technology and local or regional resources that facilitate their 
application in the One-Stop Center(s) and employer workplace to 
accommodate diverse functional disabilities.
    [sbull] Train the One-Stop Career Center Operator and Staff on: 
disability etiquette; facility, communication and program accessibility 
requirements; Americans with Disability Act (ADA), Section 504 (Part 
32) of the Rehabilitation Act; WIA section 188

[[Page 6963]]

(Part 37) definitions and requirements; assessment tools and their 
applicability.
    [sbull] Assure provision of a welcoming environment for people with 
disabilities through development of competence and familiarity of 
issues affecting persons with disabilities throughout the local 
workforce investment system.
    B. Other Comprehensive One-Stop Strategies:
    i. Describe changes to be achieved under the grant to create 
seamless service delivery for One-Stop customers with disabilities.
    ii. Describe the process that will be used to maintain and expand 
the service structure for individuals with disabilities accessing the 
workforce investment system, including capacity building of the 
Employment Service delivery component of the One-Stop system.
    iii. Identify plans and strategies to develop the capacity of the 
comprehensive One-Stop Career Center to function as an Employment 
Network under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act 
(TWWIIA). Project plans in this regard should involve building the 
capacity of the WIA Title I programs and One-Stop system so that more 
in-depth services and information will be readily available to 
individuals with disabilities at the comprehensive One-Stop Career 
Center. The description of increased capacity should be in addition to 
the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency since they are an automatic 
Employment Network provider under Ticket to Work.
    iv. Describe linkages with the State and local Independent Living 
Center (CIL) systems; Mental Health Departments, Mental Retardation/
Developmental Disability Agencies, State Councils on Developmental 
Disabilities, State Vocational Rehabilitation, and Councils on 
Employment and other local provider or advocate organizations serving 
individuals with developmental and/or psychiatric disabilities, 
including how these agencies fit in a comprehensive service delivery 
strategy.
    v. Describe how people with disabilities who are not eligible for 
Vocational Rehabilitation services or do not fall under the State's 
Order of Selection will be served through Wagner-Peyser services or WIA 
services through the Adult, Dislocated Worker, Youth or National 
Programs, including programs and services under the Older Americans 
Act.
    vi. Identify the provisions of Memoranda of Understanding or other 
agreements between the partners, State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) 
Agency, the State Rehabilitation Council, and the State or Local Boards 
in terms of the provision of services to people with disabilities; the 
plans for cost sharing; the arrangements for referral of people with 
disabilities between W IA Title I programs and VR as appropriate; the 
extent of integration and co-location of VR in One-Stop Centers, 
including sharing of Management Information Systems (MIS) or 
participation in case management data base technologies; the extent to 
which there is joint funding of participant services or leveraging of 
funds to expand access to services; and use of Individual Training 
Accounts (ITA's) for people with disabilities.
    Describe coordination and linkage with regional Disability Business 
and Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAC's) and State Governors 
Committees on Employment of People with Disabilities. For example, have 
DBTAC's provided training to the One-Stop delivery system on the 
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act, or other disability-related training? If not, are 
plans to do so incorporated into the applicant project?
    Identify public and private non-profit provider entities 
participating under WIA and Employment Service programs, and which 
barriers to employment their programs and services that are 
contributing to the overall applicant proposal may address. 
Specifically, describe State or local area provisions regarding 
Medicaid and/or Medicare coverage; current transportation 
infrastructure; how individuals with all types of disabilities will 
access training, employment, housing, food stamps and other supportive 
services.
    vii. Describe coordination and linkages with Learning Disabilities 
and Training Dissemination hub centers established under grants from 
the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult 
Education and how these may be used to provide services to people with 
learning and other disabilities.
    viii. Describe how the project will be coordinated with grant 
programs, which are funded under the SSA Benefits Planning, Assistance 
and Outreach Cooperative Agreement and HHS Medicaid Infrastructure 
Grant programs, if applicable.
    ix. Describe how the project is expected to have a positive effect 
in the operation of the One-Stop delivery system.

3. Innovation and Model Services [25 points]

    The purpose of the Innovation and Model Services criteria is to 
identify strategies the applicant is planning to increase services and 
employment outcomes for persons with disabilities that access One-Stop 
Career Centers. This should be within the context of the WIA Title I 
and Wagner-Peyser programs, utilizing the training or other resources 
that are available since the Work Incentive Grant program is not 
typically for direct services to individuals (with the exception of 
staff capacity such as a Program Navigator described above).
    A. Describe your strategy for substantially increasing the number 
and percent of people with disabilities served, trained and entered 
into unsubsidized employment through the One-Stop Center system, 
particularly in WIA Title I programs. This should be related to, or 
refer back to, the first year of WIA identified under the Statement of 
Need and service delivery history under JTPA where applicable.
    B. Describe the status of accessible technologies within the 
Comprehensive One-Stop and plans to procure and implement accessible 
technologies, including video interpreting services for clients who are 
deaf or electronic door openers for wheelchair users, and how they 
address current system deficiencies.
    C. Identify the scope of technology implementations, if applicable, 
and the extent to which implementation is comprehensive and across the 
workforce area(s) and/or statewide.
    D. Describe approaches for employment involvement and how these 
will respond to meeting employer skill shortage needs.
    E. Describe how opportunities for competitive employment for 
individuals with disabilities will be provided or developed within the 
local workforce investment area and how this is unique or different 
than what is normally performed by the applicant(s).
    F. Describe specific approaches for developing relationships with 
and support of area employers that establish employment opportunities 
for individuals with disabilities accessing the One-Stop delivery 
system, including any commitments by employers to hire these 
individuals.
    G. Describe linkages with Business Leadership Networks (BLNs) (that 
have been established in approximately 30 states) if applicable.
    H. Describe strategies to foster entrepreneurial and self-
employment options using ITA's, Plans for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) 
and other SSA work incentives, and Medicaid coverage for individuals 
with disabilities who start or return to work.

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    I. Identify available Federal and State tax incentives available to 
employers when hiring an individual with a disability; how this 
information will be marketed and disseminated to employers, the 
individual and workforce staff; and how employers may use such tax 
credits to address structural and technological accommodation needs.
    L. Describe opportunities for increasing integrated, competitive 
employment through use of strategies such as individualized job 
development for individuals with the most significant disabilities 
currently working in segregated facilities or waiting for employment 
services.
    M. Identify whether assessment tools are used to identify 
individuals with learning disabilities in the One-Stop delivery system, 
including plans and processes to identify applicable assessment tools, 
train staff and incorporate such assessments as part of the service 
delivery structure.
    N. Describe how public supports needed by people with disabilities 
may be affected by their employment or training and State or local 
conditions, and actions to sustain benefits and services following 
successful job placement. For example, does the State or local area 
have provisions to continue supported or Section 8A housing (The 
Housing Act of 1992, Title IV), where applicable, for individuals who 
enter unsubsidized employment?
    O. Has the State adopted Medicaid ``buy-in'' options, or are there 
Medicaid waivers that extend health care coverage for individuals who 
enter employment?
    P. Describe plans for outreach and marketing to the disability 
community and organizations that represent or work with people with 
disabilities; and plans for training disability-related organizations 
on the resources and programs available to them in the One-Stop system.
    Q. Identify individualized strategies that establish client control 
of training funds, VR funds, ITA's, or other funding sources to which 
these individuals may have access, and co-mingle funds in a seamless, 
customer friendly manner, including plans for obtaining waivers to the 
extent program requirements necessitate this.
    R. Identify plans or strategies to deploy Ticket to Work voucher 
provisions for beneficiaries of SSDI and recipients of SSI.

4. Demonstrated Capability [25 points]

    The purpose of the Demonstrated Capability criteria is to determine 
whether the applicant has developed adequate plans, including staff, 
disability partners and other resources, to effectively carry out the 
objectives and scope of the proposed project. The Department will rate 
this criteria based upon the ability of the applicant to do this.
    Identify how whether the State or Local Boards will include the 
disability community in plans.
    Identify the critical activities, time frames and responsibilities 
for effectively implementing the project, including the management and 
evaluation process for assuring successful implementation of grant 
objectives.
    Include a project organizational chart, which identifies the staff 
with key management responsibilities, including a matrix of 
organizational responsibilities of key entities and participating 
consortium organizations, where applicable.
    Describe the specific experience of the applicant(s) in serving 
people with disabilities, in providing workforce services, in 
addressing specific barriers to employment, in achieving expected 
outcomes in the delivery of such services/programs, and in implementing 
and administering specific project plans of the grant project. For 
example, such information might include the local Department of 
Transportation as a key partner agency addressing transportation 
barriers and how this entity has participated in similar efforts in the 
past and the success of these past efforts, and potential success of 
coordination on the applicant(s) grant project.

Part VIII. Monitoring and Reporting

    Monitoring: The Department shall be responsible for ensuring the 
effective implementation of each competitive grant project in 
accordance with the provisions of this announcement and the terms of 
the grant award document. Applicants should assume that Department 
staff, or their designees will conduct on-site project reviews, 
periodically. Reviews will focus on timely project implementation, 
performance in meeting the grant's programmatic goals and objectives, 
expenditure of grant funds on allowable activities, integration and 
coordination with other resources and service providers in the local 
area, and project management and administration in achieving project 
objectives. Work Incentive Grants may be subject to other additional 
reviews at the discretion of the Department.
    Reporting: Grantees will be required to submit quarterly financial 
and narrative progress reports under the Work Incentive Grant program 
covering the workforce area(s) included in the grant project design. 
DOL will analyze data of workforce investment area(s) reports submitted 
annually under the Workforce Investment Standardized Record Data 
(WIASARD) for workforce areas covered under the grant [Note: 
Information on the WIASRD can be found under performance accountability 
at http://doleta.gov/usworkforce/wia.asp].
    Financial reporting will be required quarterly using the on-line 
electronic reporting system for the Standard Form 269--Financial Status 
Report (FSR).
    A narrative progress report will be required quarterly.
    The Department of Labor's evaluation of the Work Incentive Grant 
program includes a process evaluation that includes extensive 
information pertaining to achievements of under the grant (e.g., 
training provided to staff, coordination with disability entities, 
etc.), summary information pertaining to WIA implementation and the 
numbers of people with disabilities registered, receiving services, and 
employed through the One-Stop system, among other areas.
    The Department has established performance goals that are 
consistent with the Department's (GPRA) goals as noted in the 
introduction of Part VII--Government Requirements/Statement of Work. 
Work Incentive Grantees will be expected to achieve these performance 
goals.

Part IX. Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

    All applications will be reviewed for compliance with the 
requirements of this notice. A careful evaluation of applications will 
be made by a technical review panel, which will evaluate the 
applications against the rating criteria listed in this SGA. The panel 
results are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant Officer. 
The Department may elect to award grants either with or without 
discussion 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 Grant Officer may consider any 
information that is available and will make final award decisions based 
on what is most advantageous to the Government, considering factors 
such as:
    Panel findings;
    Geographic distribution of the competitive applications; and the 
availability of funds.


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    Signed at Washington, DC, this 6th day of February, 2003.
James W. Stockton,
Grant Officer.
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[FR Doc. 03-3338 Filed 2-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-C