The notice below is from today’s Federal
Register where the US Department of Labor is offering grants
of up to $25K to small “grassroots” faith-based
and community based organizations to link up with local workforce “One-Stop
Centers/systems” to assist shared customers/clients/congregants
to access job training, job referrals and other workforce-related
services. Applications are due April 28, 2005. This kind
of local linkage initiative build on several prior successful
pilots in Florida in Brevard, Broward and Volusia Counties,
and the ongoing USDOL “ACCESS” initiative. So
some effective leveraging/replication is possible. Also as
in prior years, USDOL may also be inviting applications for
Intermediaries grants, and that too fits in well with Florida
precedents and policy directives/priorities of our Governor’s
Fath and Community Based Advisory Board.
Details for the grant eligibility and application process
are below.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Workforce Investment Act--Small Grassroots Organizations
Connecting With the One-Stop Delivery System
Announcement Type: New--Notice of Solicitation for Grant
Application.
Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA PY-04-03.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFDA Number: 17.257.
Key Dates: Deadline for Application Receipt--April 28, 2005.
SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) announces the availability of $1,000,000 to
award grants to eligible "grassroots'' organizations with the ability
to connect to the local One-Stop delivery system. The term
"grassroots'' is defined under the Eligibility Criteria.
DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this
announcement is April 28, 2005. Applications must be received no later
than 5 p.m. (Eastern Time). Application and submission information is
explained in detail in Section IV of this SGA.
Authorities: These grants are made under the following authorities:
Wagner Peyser Act, 29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, U.S.C. 2801 et seq.
Workforce Investment Act Regulation codified at (20 CFR
pts. 660-671)
Exe. Order No. 13198, Agency responsibilities with respect
to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, 66 FR 8497 (Jan. 31, 2001)
Training and Employment Guidance Letter 17-01,
Incorporating and Utilizing Grassroots, Community-Based Organizations
Including Faith-Based Organizations in Workforce Investment Activities
and Programs (2002)
Exec. Order No. 13279, Equal Protection of the Laws for
Faith-Based and Community Organizations, 67 FR 77141 (Dec. 16, 2002)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This solicitation consists of eight parts:
Part I describes an overview of the funding opportunity
Part II describes the size and nature of the award.
Part III describes who qualifies as eligible applicants.
Part IV provides information on the application and
submission process.
Part V explains the review process and rating criteria
that will be used to evaluate applications for funding.
Part VI provides award administration information.
Part VII contains DOL agency contact information.
Part VIII lists additional resources of interest to
applicants.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Overview of the WIA
The WIA established a comprehensive reform of existing Federal job
training programs with amendments impacting service delivery under the
Wagner-Peyser Act, 29 U.S.C. 49 et seq. (1998), Adult Education and
Literacy Act, 29 U.S.C. 9201 (1998), and the Rehabilitation Act., 29
U.S.C. 701 (1998). A number of other Federal programs are also
identified as required partners in the One-Stop delivery system to
provide comprehensive services for all Americans to access the
information and resources available to help achieve their career goals.
The intention of the One-Stop delivery system is to establish a network
of programs and 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. There
are currently over 1,900 comprehensive One Stop Centers and over 1,600
affiliated One Stop Centers across the United States. The WIA
established
state and local Workforce Investment Boards focused on strategic planning, policy
development, and oversight of the workforce investment
system, and accorded significant authority to the nation's Governors
and local chief elected officials to further implement innovative and
comprehensive delivery systems. The vision, goals and objectives for
workforce development under the WIA decentralized system are fully
described in the state strategic plan required under Section 112 of the
statute. This state strategic workforce investment plan--and the
operational experience gained by all the partners to date in
implementing the WIA-instituted reforms--help identify the important
"unmet needs'' and latent opportunities to expand access to One-Stop
delivery systems by all the population segments within the local labor
market.
2. Administration Strategy
Engagement of Faith-Based and Community Organizations Under the
Workforce Investment Act. On January 29, 2001, President George W. Bush
issued Executive Order 13198, creating the Office for Faith-Based and
Community Initiatives in the White House and centers for faith-based
and community initiatives (CFBCI) in the Departments of Labor (DOL),
Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
Education (ED), Justice (DOJ). President Bush charged the departmental
centers with identifying statutory, regulatory, and bureaucratic
barriers that stand in the way of effective faith-based and community
initiatives, and to ensure, consistent with the law, that these
organizations have equal opportunity to compete for federal funding and
other support.
In early 2002, the CFBCI and ETA developed and issued SGAs to
engage intermediary and grassroots organizations in our workforce
system-building. These SGAs were designed to involve faith-based and
community-based organizations in service delivery and to strengthen
their existing partnership with the local One-Stop delivery system,
while providing additional points of entry for customers into that
system.
These 2002 grants embodied the Department's principal strategy for
implementing the Executive Order by creating new avenues through which
qualified organizations could participate more fully under the WIA,
while applying their particular strengths and assets in providing
services to our customers. These solicitations also proceeded from an
ETA-CFBCI mutual premise that the involvement of community-based
organizations and faith-based organizations can both complement and
supplement the efforts of local workforce investment systems in being
accessible to, and serving the training, job and career-support needs
of, many of our citizens. Both ETA and CFBCI are committed to bringing
new grassroots organizations to workforce system-building through the
issuance of a new solicitation in 2005. This new solicitation draws on
"lessons learned'' in 2002, 2003 and 2004 while introducing several
"promising practices'' introduced by other ETA grantees. The new
solicitation also places significant emphasis on performance outcomes--
documenting and quantifying the additional value the grassroots
organization brings to the One-Stop delivery system in the community.
Through this competition, ETA seeks to ensure that an important WIA
tenet--universal access to the programs and services offered under
WIA--is further rooted in the customer-responsive delivery systems
already established by the Governors, local elected officials and local
Workforce Investment Boards. ETA also reaffirms its continuing
commitment to those customer-focused reforms instituted by state and
local governments, which help Americans access the tools they need to
manage their careers through information and high quality services, and
to help U.S. companies find skilled workers.
Faith-based and community-based organizations present strong
credentials for full partnership in our mutual system-building
endeavors. Faith-based and community-based organizations are trusted
institutions within our poorest neighborhoods. Faith-based and
community-based organizations are home to a large number of volunteers
who bring not only the transformational power of personal relationships
to the provision of social service but also a sustained allegiance to
the well-being and self-sufficiency of the participants they serve.
Through their daily work and specific programs, these organizations
strive to achieve some common purposes shared with government--
reduction of welfare dependency, attainment of occupational skills,
entry and retention of all our citizens in good-paying jobs. Through
this solicitation, ETA and CFBCI strive to leverage these programs,
resources and committed staff into the workforce investment strategies
already embodied in state and local strategic plans.
3. Project Objectives
The selected grantees will be expected to achieve the following
objectives:
Help individuals enter employment with career
opportunities or increase skills and education, both through (i)
providing services such as education, pre- and post-job placement
mentoring, life skills training, employability skills training, job
coaching, and (ii) utilizing the services of the One-Stop Career
Center.
Expand the access of faith-based and community-based
organizations' clients and customers to the training, job and career
services offered by the local One-Stop Career Centers;
Effectively maximize the dollars invested by leveraging
volunteer and in-kind donations;
Thoroughly document the impact and outcomes of these grant
investments through quarterly and annual reporting; and
Establish methods and mechanisms to ensure sustainability
of these partnerships and participation levels beyond the life of the
grant.
II. Award Information
1. Funding Availability and Period of Performance
ETA has identified $1,000,000 from the FY 2005 appropriation for
One-Stop/America's Labor Market Information System. The agency expects
to award approximately 40-50 grants. The grant amount for each
grassroots organization is expected to range between $20,000 and
$25,000. The period of performance will be 12 months from the date of
execution by the Department.
2. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Announcement of this award is expected to occur by June 30, 2005.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
For purposes of this announcement, eligible grassroots
organizations must be non-profit organizations which:
Have social services as a major part of their mission;
Are headquartered in the local community to which they
provide these services;
(a) Have a social services budget of $350,000 or less, or
(b) Have 6 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor
religion will be employed in the Department's selection of grant
recipients and must be employed by grantee recipients in the election
of sub-recipients.
The government is prohibited from providing direct financial
assistance for inherently religious activity.* Therefore, as a general
rule, awards may not be used for religious instruction, worship,
prayer, proselytizing or other inherently religious activities, and
participation in such activities must be voluntary. (If, however, an
organization receives financial assistance as a result of the choice of
a beneficiary, such as through a voucher, the organization may
integrate religion throughout its program).
*In this context, the term financial assistance that is provided
directly by a government entity or an intermediate organization, as
opposed to financial assistance that an organization receives as the
result of the genuine and independent private choice of a
beneficiary. In other contexts, the term "direct'' financial
assistance may be used to refer to financial assistance that an
organization receives directly from the Federal government (also
known as "discretionary'' assistance), as opposed to assistance
that it receives from a state or local government (also known as
"indirect'' or "block'' grant assistance). The term "direct'' has
the former meaning throughout this SGA.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
This solicitation does not require grantees to share costs or
provide matching funds.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements
Veterans Priority: In addition, this program is subject to the
provisions of the Jobs for Veterans Act, Pub. L. 107-288, which
provides priority of services to veterans and in some cases their
spouses in all DOL funded job training programs. Please note that, to
obtain priority of service, a veteran or spouse must meet the program's
eligibility requirements. The directive providing policy guidance on
veterans' priority is available at
http://www.doleta.gov/programs/VETs/.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
This SGA contains all of the information and forms needed to apply
for grant funding.
2. Content & Form of Application Submission
Applicants must submit one signed original and three copies of
their proposal. The Statement of Work must be limited to five (5)
pages. The only attachments permitted will be agreements with, or
letters of support from, local Workforce Investment Boards and/or local
One-Stop operators. The application must be double-spaced, and on
single-sided, numbered pages. A font size of at least twelve (12) pitch
is required with one-inch margins (top, bottom and sides.)
Required Contents
There are three required sections:
Section I--Application for Federal Assistance (Standard
Form SF-424)
Section II--Budget Information (Standard Form SF-424A)
Section III--Technical Proposal--Statement of Work
Section I--Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
Form SF-424 is included in the announcement as Appendix A. (also
available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/sf424.pdf).
It must
be signed by a representative authorized by the governing body of the
applicant to enter into grant agreement. All applications are required
to have a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number recorded in item 5
of SF-424 (Rev. 9-2003). To obtain a DUNS number, access
http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
Section II--Budget Information (SF-424A)
The budget information form SF-424A, is included in the
announcement as Appendix B (also available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/sf424a.pdf).
The applicant must provide a concise narrative explanation to
support its budget request.
Section III--Technical Proposal (Statement-of-Work)
(not to exceed 5 typed, double space pages)
The Statement of Work sets forth a strategic plan for the use of
awarded funds and establishes measurable goals for increasing
organizational participation in the One-Stop delivery system to serve
more fully the clientele and members of community-based and faith-based
organizations.
3. Submission Dates and Times
The closing date for receipt of applications under this
announcement is April 28, 2005. Applications must be received at the
address below no later than 5 p.m. (Eastern Time). Applications sent by
e-mail, telegram, or facsimile (fax) will not be accepted. Applications
that do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice will not be
honored. No exceptions to the mailing and delivery requirements set
forth in this notice will be granted. Mailed applications must be
addressed to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration, Division of Federal Assistance, Attention: Marsha G.
Daniels, Reference SGA/DFA PY04-03, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room
N-4438, Washington, DC 20210. Applicants are advised that mail delivery
in the Washington area may be delayed due to mail decontamination
procedures. Hand delivered proposals will be received at the above
address. All overnight mail will be considered to be hand-delivered and
must be received at the designated place by the specified closing date.
Applicants may apply online at
http://www.grants.gov.
Any
application received after the deadline will not be accepted. For
applicants submitting electronic applications via Grants.gov, it is
strongly recommended that you immediately initiate and complete the
"Get Started'' steps to register with Grants.gov at
http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted.
These steps will probably take multiple days
to complete which should be factored in to your plans for electronic
application submission in order to avoid facing unexpected delays that
could result in the rejection of your application.
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 required to be received
by the 20th of the month must be post marked by the 15th of that month)
or (b) was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail or Online to
addressee not later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing or electronic
submission one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of
applications. It is highly recommended that online submissions be
completed one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of
applications to ensure that the applicant still has the option to
submit by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail in the event of any
electronic submission problems. "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 an
employee of the U.S. Postal Service. Therefore, applicants should
request the postal clerk to place a legible hand cancellation "bull's
eye'' postmark on
both the receipt and the package. Failure to adhere to the above
instructions will be a basis for a determination of nonresponsiveness.
4. Funding Restrictions
Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with
the applicable Federal cost principles, e.g., Non-Profit
Organizations--OMB Circular A-122. Disallowed costs are those charges
to a grant that the grantor agency or its representative determines not
to be allowed in accordance with the applicable Federal Cost Principles
or other conditions contained in the grant.
Administrative Costs: The primary use of the grant funds should be
used to support the actual project. Therefore, applicants receiving
grant funds under this solicitation may not use more than 10 percent of
the amount of the grant for administrative costs associated with the
project. Administrative costs are defined at 20 CFR 667.220.
Other Submission Requirements
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.
V. Application Review Information
1. Evaluation Criteria
This section identifies and describes the criteria that will be
used to evaluate grant proposals from Small Grassroots Organizations.
Below are the required elements of the Statement of Work and the rating
criteria that reviewers will use to evaluate the proposal.
A. Organizational History and Description of Community Need (15 points)
Describe the structure of the applicant's organization.
Describe the history of the organization in meeting community needs,
and include a brief listing of services provided.
Describe the overall community need. What services will
your organization provide to address a need that the One-Stop Career
Center is not fully addressing? (This description must include coverage
of population(s) to be served and the services to be provided.
Populations can include such groups as: ex-offenders, immigrants,
limited English-speakers, veterans, victims of violent crime, homeless
persons, and individuals with disabilities. Services can include, but
are not limited to such activities as: education, pre and post job
placement mentoring, life skills training, employability skills
training, and job coaching. Other populations and services can be
identified.)
Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
1. Does the description reflect a clear understanding of a
community need? (15 points)
B. Description of Partnerships and Linkages (20 points)
Please describe your plans to work as a partner with the
One-Stop delivery system to help the target population you described
above, enter and succeed in the workforce. If you have not previously
worked with a One-Stop Career Center, please describe actions you have
taken to develop a relationship with a One-Stop Career Center. If you
have worked with a One-Stop Career Center in the past, please describe
what actions you have taken to further develop your relationship.
Please attach agreements with, or letters of support from, local
Workforce Investment Boards and/or local One-Stop operators with whom
you are working, or with whom you have developed a relationship, as you
have designed this proposal.
Please describe the relationships you have with other non-
profit organizations that provide similar or complementary services.
Please explain how you will leverage pre-existing relationships and
partnerships to help achieve your goals for the populations you will
serve and how you will avoid duplication of existing services. If you
do not have relationships with other non-profit organizations, please
explain the reason and how you plan to develop new relationships.
Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
1. Does the narrative describe an approach and process by which the
applicant will successfully partner with the One-Stop delivery system
to address the unmet need? (6 points)
2. Does the applicant present evidence of discussions with the One-
Stop delivery system (e.g., a signed letter from the Local Workforce
Investment Board or other One-Stop delivery system principals)? (5
points)
3. Does the applicant's history of collaboration with other non-
profit organizations in the community support the conclusion that these
grant activities will be successful? (4 points)
4. Does the applicant show that it will take the appropriate steps
to develop relationships with other local non-profit organizations
delivering services to similar populations. (5 points)
C. Presentation of Strategic Plan, Goals, and Timeline (50 points)
The applicant must describe the methodology for providing
services, including any educational or training curriculum or other
tools to be used. Describe the staff/volunteer positions that will be
providing services under this grant.
The applicant must present a timeline of major, measurable
tasks and activities to be undertaken. The timeline must include how
many people will receive services and/or participate and complete
classes detailed in the training curriculum.
The applicant must also describe the measurable outcomes
that the program participants will achieve over the life of this grant.
Measurable outcomes must include how many participants will enter
employment over the grant period and how many of those individuals will
stay employed through the end of the grant period (retention). Outcomes
also include measures such as how many participants will increase
numeracy or literacy or enter an educational or training program or the
average increase of wages for program participants. The Department
understands that these outcomes will be achieved by bringing together
the resources of the workforce system as well as the grantee.
Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
1. Do the activities and tasks presented on the timeline appear to
be achievable with the likelihood of project success given available
resources? (20 points)
2. Does the applicant provide tangible outcome measures and goals
that allow both the applicant and DOL to gauge the impact of the
activities on meeting the community need? (15 points)
3. Do these goals include tracking employment outcomes and
retention outcomes for those served? (15 points)
D. Description of Measurements of Success (15 points)
Describe what mechanisms you will develop, in partnership
with the One-Stop delivery system, to track your success in achieving
promised goals and outcomes.
Describe any other methods you will use for evaluating
your project's success.
Scoring of this criterion will be based on the following.
1. Does the applicant reflect an understanding of what it would
need to do in order to track progress and success? (15 points)
2. Review and Selection Process
A technical review panel will make a careful evaluation of
applications against the rating criteria. The review panel
recommendations are advisory. The ETA grant officer will fully consider
the panel recommendations and take into account geographic balance to
ensure the most advantageous award of these funds to accomplish the
system-building purposes outlined in the Solicitation. The grant
officer may consider any information that comes to his or her
attention. The grant officer reserves the right to award without
negotiation. The criteria in Part V, Section 1 will serve as the basis
upon which submitted applications will be evaluated.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
Award notifications will be posted on the ETA homepage at
http://www.doleta.gov
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Administrative Program Requirements. All grantees, including faith-
based organizations will be subject to all applicable Federal laws
(including provisions in appropriations law), regulations, and the
applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars. The
applicants selected under the SGA will be subject to the following
administrative standards and provisions, if applicable.
a. Workforce Investment Boards--20 CFR Part 667.220 (Administrative
Costs).
b. Non-Profit Organizations--Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Circulars A-122 (Cost Principles) and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative
Requirements).
c. Educational Institutions--OMB Circulars A-21 (Cost Principles)
and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
d. State and Local Governments--OMB Circulars A-87 (Cost
Principles) and 29 CFR Part 97 (Administrative Requirements).
e. Profit Making Commercial Firms--Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR)-48 CFR Part 31 (Cost Principles), and 29 CFR Part 95
(Administrative Requirements).
f. All entities must comply with 29 CFR Parts 93 and 98, and, where
applicable, 29 CFR Parts 96 and 99.
g. In accordance with Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of
1995, Public Law 104-65 (2 U.S.C. 1611) non-profit entities
incorporated under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(4) that engage
in lobbying activities will not be eligible for the receipt of Federal
funds and grants.
Note: Except as specifically provided in this Notice, USDOL-
ETA's acceptance of a proposal and an award of Federal funds to
sponsor any programs(s) does not provide a waiver of any grant
requirements and/or procedures. For example, the OMB Circulars
require that an entity's procurement procedures must ensure that all
procurement transactions are conducted, as much as practical, to
provide open and free competition. If a proposal identifies a
specific entity to provide services, the USDOL-ETA's award does not
provide the justification or basis to sole-source the procurement,
i.e., avoid competition, unless the activity is regarded as the
primary work of an official partner to the application.
3. Reporting Requirements
The grantee is required to provide the reports and documents listed
below:
Quarterly Financial Reports. A Quarterly Financial Status Report
(Form SF-269) is required until such time as all funds have been
expended or the period of availability has expired. Quarterly reports
are due 30 days after the end of each calendar year quarter. The
grantee must use ETA's On-line Electronic Reporting System to submit
the quarterly reports.
Narrative Progress Reports. The grantee must submit a quarterly
financial and narrative progress report to the Federal Project Officer
within 30 days following each quarter. Copies are to be submitted
electronically providing a detailed account of activities undertaken
during that quarter. Reports must include the following information for
the grassroots grantees.
The number of participants served per quarter (new and
active), noting the specific services the grantee is providing in this
project.
The number of One-Stop Career Center clients referred to
the grantee.
Number of grantee participants referred to the One-Stop.
The total number of volunteer hours committed to the grant
program.
Number of participants placed in post-secondary education
or advanced training.
Number of participants placed in a job.
Average hourly wages at the time of job placement.
Of the participants placed in a job since the beginning of
the grant, how many were continuously employed for 6 months.
Of the participants placed in a job since the beginning of
the grant, how many were re-employed in the last 6 months.
List other goals submitted with the grant application or
additional goals developed for the program.
List demographic information.
VII. Agency Contacts
Any questions regarding this SGA should be faxed to Marsha G.
Daniels, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance,
fax number (202) 693-2705. (This is not a toll-free number.) You must
specifically address your fax to the attention of Marsha G. Daniels and
should include SGA/DFA PY 04-03, a contact name, fax and phone number.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marsha G. Daniels, Grants Management
Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance, on (202) 693-3504. (This is
not a toll-free number.) This announcement is also being made available
on the USDOL-ETA Web site at
http://www.doleta.gov/sga/sga.cfm and
http://www.grants.gov. Award notifications
will also be announced on this Web
page.
Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department of
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal
Assistance, Attention: Marsha G. Daniels, Reference SGA/DFA PY04-03,
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-4438, Washington, DC 20210.
Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington area may be
delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand delivered
proposals will be received at the above address. All overnight mail
will be considered to be hand-delivered and must be received at the
designated place by the specified closing date.
VIII. Other Information
DOL maintains a number of web-based resources that may be of
assistance to applicants. The webpage for the Department's Center for
Faith-Based & Community Initiatives (
http://www.dol.gov/cfbci)
is a
valuable source of background on this initiative. America's Service
Locator (
http://www.servicelocator.org)
provides a directory of our nation's One-Stop Career Centers. ETA has a webpage
(http://www.doleta.gov/regions),
which contains contact information for the state and local Workforce
Investment Boards. Applicants are encouraged to review "Understanding
the Department of Labor Solicitation for Grant Applications and How to
Write an Effective Proposal'' (
http://www.dol.gov/cfbci/sgabrochure.htm).
For a basic understanding of the grants process and basic
responsibilities of receiving Federal grant support,
please see "Guidance for Faith-Based and Community Organizations on
Partnering with the Federal Government (
http://www.fbci.gov).
Signed at Washington, DC, this 22nd day of March, 2005.
Eric D. Luetkenhaus,
Grant Officer, Employment and Training Administration.
Appendix A: SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance
Appendix B: SF-424A Budget Form
Appendix C: OMB Survey N. 1890-0014: Survey on Ensuring Equal
Opportunity for Applicants
[Federal Register: March 25, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 57)]
[Notices]
[Page 15505-15518]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [
wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25mr05-125]
Part III
Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Workforce Investment Act and Wagner-Peyser Act Preliminary Allotments;
FY 2005 Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit
Allotments; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 Congressional Rescissions for WIA Adults
and Dislocated Workers; Program Year (PY) 2005 Workforce Investment Act
(WIA Allotments and Additional Funds From WIA Section 173(e) for Adult/Dislocated
Worker Activities for Eligible States; PY 2005 Wagner-Peyser
Act Preliminary Allotments; Reemployment Services Allotments; PY 2005
Workforce Information Grants; and FY 2005 Work Opportunity Tax Credit
and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit Allotments
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: This Notice announces FY 2005 Congressional Rescissions for
WIA Adults and Dislocated Worker programs, states' allotments for PY
2005 (July 1, 2005-June 30, 2006) for WIA Title I Youth, Adults and
Dislocated Worker programs; additional PY 2005 funding from WIA Section
173(e) for eligible states; preliminary allotments for Employment
Service (ES) activities under the Wagner-Peyser Act for PY 2005;
Workforce Information Grants for PY 2005; and Work Opportunity Tax
Credit and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit allotments for FY 2005.
The WIA allotments for states and the preliminary allotments for
the Wagner-Peyser Act are based on formulas defined in their respective
statutes. The WIA allotments for the outlying areas are based on a
formula determined by the Secretary. As required by WIA section 182(d),
on February 17, 2000, a Notice of the discretionary formula for
allocating PY 2000 funds for the outlying areas (American Samoa, Guam,
Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Palau, and the Virgin
Islands) was published in the Federal Register at 65 FR 8236 (February
17, 2000). The rationale for the formula and methodology was fully
explained in the February 17, 2000, Federal Register notice. The
formula for PY 2005 is the same as used for PY 2000 and is described in
the section on Youth allotments. The data for the outlying areas was
obtained from the Bureau of the Census and was based on 2000 census
surveys for those areas conducted either by the Bureau or the outlying
areas. Comments are invited upon the formula used to allot funds to the
outlying areas.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 25, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Employment and Training
Administration, Office of Financial and Administrative Management, 200
Constitution Ave., NW., Room N-4702, Washington, DC 20210, Attention:
Ms. Sherryl Bailey, 202-693-2813 (phone), 202-693-2859 (fax), e-mail:
bailey.sherryl@dol.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: WIA Youth Activities allotments:
Haskel Lowery at 202-693-3030 or LaSharn Youngblood at 202-693-3606;
WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker Employment and Training Activities
allotments: Raymond Palmer at 202-693-3535; and Employment Service
preliminary allotments: Anthony Dais at 202-693-3046 (these are not
toll-free numbers). Information may also be found at the Web site--
http://www.doleta.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Labor (DOL or Department)
is announcing WIA allotments for PY 2005 (July 1, 2005-June 30, 2006)
for Youth Activities, Adults and Dislocated Worker Activities, and
Wagner-Peyser Act PY 2005 preliminary allotments. This document
provides information on the amount of funds available during PY 2005 to
states with an approved WIA Title I and Wagner-Peyser 2-Year Strategic
Plan (formally the 5-Year Strategic Plan) and information regarding
allotments to the outlying areas. The allotments are based on the funds
appropriated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, Public Law
108-477, December 8, 2004. This appropriation requires an across-the-
board reduction of 0.80 percent to all FY 2005 discretionary programs,
including FY 2005 advance funds for the WIA Adults and Dislocated
Worker programs appropriated in the FY 2004 appropriation. Attached are
tables listing the FY 2005 rescissions for the WIA Adults (Attachment
II-A) and Dislocated Worker (Attachment III-A) programs and the PY 2005
allotments for programs under WIA Title I Youth Activities (Attachment
I), Adults and Dislocated Workers Employment and Training Activities
(Attachments II-B and III-B, respectively) and the PY 2005 Wagner-Peyser Act
preliminary allotments (Attachment V). Also attached are
tables displaying the PY 2005 Reemployment Services Grants (Attachment
VI), Workforce Information Grants (Attachment VII) and the FY 2005 Work
Opportunity Tax Credit and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit allotments
(Attachment VIII).
Youth Activities Allotments. PY 2005 Youth Activities funds under
WIA total $986,288,064. States operating under an approved WIA state
plan through June 30, 2005, will have the authority to begin to spend a
portion of PY 2005 youth funds beginning on April 1, 2005, under WIA
sec. 189(g)(1)(B). This authority will be provided through the WIA
Annual Funding Agreement. States will be issued one-quarter (\1/4\) of
their PY 2005 allocation on April 1, 2005. Once a PY 2005 State Plan is
approved, states will be issued the balance of their Youth program
allocation on July 1, 2005, along with the Notice of Obligation (NOO)
which provides the PY 2005 portion of the formula allocations for the
Adult and Dislocated Worker programs. Attachment I includes a breakdown
of the Youth Activities program allotments for PY 2005 and provides a
comparison of these allotments to PY 2004 Youth Activities allotments
for all states, outlying areas, Puerto Rico and the District of
Columbia. Before determining the amount available for states, the total
available for the outlying areas was reserved at 0.25 percent of the
full amount appropriated for Youth Activities. On December 17, 2003,
the President signed Public Law 108-188, the Compact of Free
Association Amendments Act of 2003, which provides for consolidation of
all funding, including WIA Title I, for the Marshall Islands and
Micronesia into supplemental funding grants in the Department of
Education. The Education appropriation for FY 2005 includes funding for
these supplemental grants; therefore, WIA Title I funds are no longer
being provided for these two areas. The Compact continues the
availability of programs previously available to Palau through
September 30, 2007, including WIA Title I funding provisions. The
methodology for distributing funds to all outlying areas is not
specified by WIA, but is at the Secretary's discretion. The methodology
used is the same as used since PY 2000, i.e., funds are distributed
among the remaining areas by formula based on relative share of number
of unemployed, a 90 percent hold-harmless of the prior year share, a
$75,000 minimum, and a 130 percent stop-gain of the prior year share.
Data for the relative share calculation in the PY 2005 formula were
from 2000 census data from all outlying areas. The total amount
available for Native Americans is 1.5 percent of the total amount for
Youth Activities, in accordance with WIA section 127. After determining
the amount for the outlying areas and Native Americans, the amount
available for allotment to the States for PY 2005 is $969,028,023. This
total amount was below the required $1 billion threshold specified in
section 127(b)(1)(C)(iv)(IV); therefore, as in PY 2004, the WIA
additional minimum provisions were not applied, and, instead, as
required by WIA, the JTPA section 202(a)(3) (as amended by section 701
of the Job Training Reform Amendments of 1992) minimums of 90 percent
hold-harmless of the prior year allotment percentage and 0.25 percent
state minimum floor were used. Also, as required by WIA, the provision
applying a 130 percent stop-gain of the prior year allotment percentage
was used. The three formula factors required in WIA use the following
data for the PY 2005 allotments:
(1) The number of unemployed for areas of substantial unemployment
(ASUs) are averages for the 12-month period, July 2003 through
preliminary June 2004;
(2) The number of excess unemployed individuals or the ASU excess
(depending on which is higher) are averages for the same 12-month
period used for ASU unemployed data; and
(3) The number of economically disadvantaged youth (age 16 to 21,
excluding college students and military) are from the 2000 Census.
Adult Employment and Training Activities Allotments. The total
Adult Employment and Training Activities appropriation is $896,618,144.
Attachment II-B shows the PY 2005 Adult Employment and Training
Activities allotments and comparison to PY 2004 allotments by state.
Like the Youth Activities program, the total available for the outlying
areas was reserved at 0.25 percent of the full amount appropriated for
Adults. As discussed in the Youth Activities paragraph, beginning in PY
2005, WIA funding for the Marshall Islands and Micronesia is no longer
provided; instead, funding is provided in the Department of Education's
appropriation. The Adult Activities funds for grants to the remaining
outlying areas, for which the distribution methodology is at the
Secretary's discretion, were distributed among the areas by the same
principles, formula and data as used for outlying areas for Youth
Activities. After determining the amount for the outlying areas, the
amount available for allotments to the states is $894,376,599. Like the
Youth Activities program, the WIA minimum provisions were not applied
for the PY 2005 allotments because the total amount available for the
states was below the $960 million threshold required for Adults in
section 132(b)(1)(B)(iv)(IV). Instead, as required by WIA, the minimum
allotments were calculated using the JTPA section 202(a)(3) (as amended
by section 701 of the Job Training Reform Amendments of 1992) minimums
of 90 percent hold-harmless of the prior year allotment percentage and
0.25 percent state minimum floor. Also, like the Youth Activities
program, a provision applying a 130 percent stop-gain of the prior year
allotment percentage was used. The three formula factors use the same
data as used for the Youth Activities formula, except that data from
the 2000 Census for the number of economically disadvantaged adults
(age 22 to 72, excluding college students and military) were used.
Dislocated Worker Employment and Training Activities Allotments.
The total Dislocated Worker appropriation is $1,476,063,648. The total
appropriation includes formula funds for the states, while the National
Reserve is used for National Emergency Grants, technical assistance and
training, demonstration projects (including Community-Based Job
Training Grants), the outlying areas' Dislocated Worker allotments, and
additional assistance to eligible states. Attachment III-B shows the PY
2005 Dislocated Worker Activities fund allotments by state. Like the
Youth and Adults programs, the total available for the outlying areas
was reserved at 0.25 percent of the full amount appropriated for
Dislocated Worker Activities. WIA funding for the Marshall Islands and
Micronesia is no longer provided, as discussed above. The Dislocated
Worker Activities funds for grants to outlying areas, for which the
distribution methodology is at the Secretary's discretion, were
distributed among the remaining areas by the same pro rata share as the
areas received for the PY 2005 WIA Adult Activities program, the same
methodology used in PY 2004. For the state distribution of formula
funds, the three formula factors required in WIA use the following data
for the PY 2005 allotments:
(1) Number of unemployed, averages for the 12-month period, October
2003 through September 2004;
(2) Number of excess unemployed, averages for the 12-month period,
October 2003 through September 2004; and
(3) Number of long-term unemployed, averages for calendar year
2003. Since the Dislocated Worker Activities formula has no floor
amount or hold-harmless provisions, funding changes for states directly
reflect the impact of changes in the number of unemployed.
Additional Funding From WIA Section 173(e) for Adult/Dislocated
Worker Activities for Eligible States. WIA Section 173(e) provides that
up to $15 million from Dislocated Workers reserve funds is to be made
annually to certain states that receive less funds under the WIA Adult
formula than they would have received had the JTPA Adult formula been
in effect. The amount of the grants is based on the difference between
the WIA and JTPA formula allotments; funds are available for grants for
up to eight states with the largest difference. The additional funding
must be used for Adult or Dislocated Worker Activities. In PY 2005, two
states are eligible for these additional funds, for a total of
$2,368,534 (Attachment IV).
Wagner-Peyser Act Preliminary Allotments. The Employment Service
program involves a Federal-state partnership between the U.S.
Department of Labor and the State Workforce Agencies. Under the Wagner-
Peyser Act, funds are allotted to each state to administer a labor
exchange program responding to the needs of the state's employers and
workers through a system of local employment services offices that are
part of the One-Stop service delivery system established by the state.
Attachment V shows the Wagner-Peyser Act preliminary allotments for PY
2005. These preliminary allotments have been produced using the formula
set forth at Section 6 of the Wagner-Peyser Act, 29 U.S.C. 49e. They
are based on averages of the civilian labor force (CLF) and
unemployment for the twelve months ending September 2004. State
planning estimates reflect $18 million being withheld from distribution
to states to finance postage costs associated with the conduct of labor
exchange services for PY 2005. The Secretary of Labor is required to
set aside up to three percent of the total available funds to assure
that each state will have sufficient resources to maintain statewide
employment service activities, as required under section 6(b)(4) of the
Wagner-Peyser Act. In accordance with this provision, the three percent
set-aside funds are included in the total planning estimate. The set-
aside funds are distributed in two steps to states that have lost in
relative share of resources from the previous year. In Step 1, states
that have a CLF below one million and are also below the median CLF
density are maintained at 100 percent of their relative share of prior
year resources. All remaining set-aside funds are distributed on a pro-rata basis
in Step 2 to all other states losing in relative share from
the prior year but not meeting the size and density criteria for Step
1.
Under section 7 of the Wagner-Peyser Act, ten percent of the total sums
allotted to each state shall be reserved for use by the Governor to
provide performance incentives for ES offices; services for groups with
special needs; and for the extra costs of exemplary models for
delivering job services.
Reemployment Services Allotments. Reemployment Services Grants are
provided to the states to enhance and target integrated labor exchange
services to Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants through the One-Stop
Career Center system. The total funds available for PY 2004 are
$34,290,464. The allotment figures for the distribution of funds for
each state for PY 2005 are listed in Attachment VI. The funds were
distributed using the following administrative formula: each state
received $215,000, with the remaining funds distributed using each
state's share of first payments for FY 2004 to UI claimants.
Workforce Information Grants. Total PY 2005 funding for Workforce
Information Grants to States is $37,696,000. The allotment figures for
each state are listed in Attachment VII. Funds are distributed by
administrative formula, with a reserve of $1,055,488 for postage and
$187,938 for Guam and the Virgin Islands. The remaining funds are
distributed to the states with 40% distributed equally to all states
and 60% distributed on each state's share of CLF for the 12 months
ending September 2004.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit
Programs: Grants to States. Total funding for FY 2005 is $17,856,000.
Attachment VIII shows the PY 2005 Work Opportunity Tax Credit and
Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit (WOTC/WtW) grants by state. After reserving
$499,968 for postage and $20,000 for the Virgin Islands, funds are
distributed to states by administrative formula with a $64,000 minimum
allotment and a 95% stop-loss/120% stop-gain from the prior year
allotment share percentage. The allocation formula is as follows:
(1) 50% based on each state's relative share of total FY 2003
certifications issued for the WOTC/WtW Tax Credit programs;
(2) 30% based on each state's relative share of the CLF for twelve
months ending September 2004; and
(3) 20% based on each state's relative share of the adult
recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for FY
2003.
Signed in Washington, DC, this 18th day of March, 2005.
Emily Stover DeRocco,
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training.
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