Program Enhancement Projects for Adult Education
| Agency: | State Government of Connecticut |
|---|---|
| State: | Connecticut |
| Level of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Opps ID: | NBD14748013169153242 |
| Posted Date: | Mar 18, 2024 |
| Due Date: | May 3, 2024 |
| Source: | Members Only |
RFP:817
Program Enhancement Projects for Adult Education
Program Enhancement Projects for Adult Education
Purpose: To provide opportunities for the expansion and enhancement of existing educational programs and services for adults who lack the level of basic skills and literacy necessary to be effective parents, citizens, and employees.
Date Posted:
February 16, 2024
Application Deadline:
May 3, 2024
Bidder's Conference:
Friday, February 23, 2024 9:00 a.m.
To register:
https://edadvance-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsduGuqTouEtYJsPlHFygXjwcdBOr9aQ00
Please see the
Adult Education Federal Grant
page for additional information.
Contact:
susan.kocaba@ct.gov
Phone: 860-807-2073
Phone: 860-807-2073
Attachment Preview
Program Enhancement Projects for Adult Education
Request for Proposal
Form Number: RFP 817
Purpose:
To provide opportunities for the expansion and enhancement of existing educational
programs and services for adults who lack the level of basic skills and literacy necessary
to be effective parents, citizens, and employees.
Pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, Title II,
Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Public Law 113-128.
RFP Published: February 13, 2024
Application Due Date: May 3, 2024
Charlene M. Russell-Tucker
Commissioner of Education
Connecticut State Department of Education
450 Columbus Boulevard | Hartford, CT 06103-1841
https://portal.ct.gov/SDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I: APPLICATION OVERVIEW ……………………………………………………………………………………………………... 1
1. Purpose
2. Grant Period
3. Grant Eligibility
4. Application Process
5. Considerations for Funding
6. Grant Accountability
7. Proposal Review and Evaluation Criteria
PART II: PRIORITY AREA SPECIFICATIONS …………………………..…………………………………………………………... 17
PART III: APPLICATION SUBMISSION ………………………………………………………………………………...……….….. 44
APPENDICES
A. Letter of Intent to Apply ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 50-51
B. Demonstrated Effectiveness Form …………………………………………………………..……………………………… 52-59
C. Interagency Collaboration Agreement ……………………………………………………………………………………… 60
D. Workforce Development Board Interagency Collaboration Agreement …………………………………… 61-62
E. Federal Considerations for Funding Checklist ………………………………………………………………………….. 63-65
F. Proposal Edit Check…………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………….. 66-67
G. Assurances, Certifications and Attestations …………………………………………………………………………….. 68-76
H. Internal Evaluator Review Form ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 77-78
I. External Evaluator Review Form …………………………………………………………..…………………………………. 79-80
J. Definition of Terms …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 81-86
K. Master Code Budget Description …………………………………………………………..……………………………….. 87-89
_____________________________________________________________________________________
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
The Connecticut State Department of Education is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action
for all qualified persons. The Connecticut Department of Education does not discriminate in any employment
practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of: race; color; religious creed; age; sex;
pregnancy; sexual orientation; workplace hazards to reproductive systems; gender identity or expression; marital
status; national origin; ancestry; retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion; intellectual
disability; genetic information; learning disability; physical disability (including, but not limited to, blindness);
mental disability (past/present history thereof); military or veteran status; status as a victim of domestic violence;
or criminal record in state employment, unless there is a bona fide occupational qualification excluding persons
in any of the aforementioned protected classes. Inquiries regarding the Connecticut State Department of
Education’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Attorney Louis Todisco, Connecticut State
Department of Education, by mail (450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 605, Hartford, CT 06103-1841; or by telephone
860-713-6594; or by email Louis.Todisco@ct.gov).
The Connecticut State Department of Education is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
PART I: APPLICATION OVERVIEW
Purpose:
The Connecticut State Department of Education’s (CSDE) Academic Office is conducting a Program Enhancement
Project for Adult Education (PEP) competition to award four-year funding from fiscal year 2025 (FY25) through
fiscal year 2028 (FY28), seeking submission of written proposals on a competitive basis, from eligible
agencies/organizations, to support and further enhance adult education services in Connecticut.
The funds for this solicitation are authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014,
Title II, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Public Law 113-128.
Connecticut WIOA Unified State Plan
WIOA requires that each state submit a State Plan to the U.S. Secretaries of Labor and Education, outlining the
state’s four-year workforce development strategy as it pertains to that state’s workforce development system.
Each state must have an approved plan in place in order to receive federal funding for the WIOA core programs,
including: workforce development activities for Adults, Dislocated Workers, and Youth Services (WIOA Title I);
Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) program (WIOA Title II); Employment Services (i.e., job
searching and placement, WIOA Title III); and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) (WIOA Title IV).
The intention of the PEP Request for Proposal (RFP) as identified in the section of Connecticut’s WIOA Unified
State Plan specific to adult education is to increase the capacity of Connecticut’s eligible providers to deliver the
needed educational and support services to adult learners in the five workforce development areas. The WIOA
legislation supports this effort by requiring solid collaborations with mandated partners and more purposeful
relationships between adult education and Connecticut’s Workforce Development Boards (WDBs). The
legislation further encourages the alignment of core programs to implement certain critical elements of
Connecticut’s WIOA Unified State Plan.
The overarching goal of the WIOA legislation is to:
• increase accessibility to adult education programs and services for learners most in need;
• create a seamless transition to postsecondary education and/or training through the development
of career pathways;
• foster strong, literate families in an effort to reduce the current student achievement gap; and
• build an educated and competitive workforce.
Overview of AEFLA Requirements
AEFLA is the largest federal investment in adult education and literacy. The AEFLA program is authorized as Title
II of WIOA and is administered by the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) at the U. S.
Department of Education.
The AEFLA funds must support programs, activities and services that include adult literacy; workplace education
and literacy activities; family literacy activities; English language acquisition (ELA) activities; integrated English
literacy and civics education (IELCE); workforce readiness activities; and/or integrated education and training
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(IET). Programs providing ELA and/or IELCE services must support transition of those students to adult basic
education (ABE) or adult secondary education (ASE) instruction. Programs must also prepare and support
students in achieving a successful transition to postsecondary education, training and/or employment.
The AEFLA program meets current challenges, stimulates the economy, connects talent to employers, and is an
integral part of the workforce system. Additionally, it provides wraparound services to the most marginalized
populations. It adds to the purpose of high school completion and the transition to postsecondary education
through the use of career pathways. The AEFLA program also formalizes a role that adult education has played
for decades related to assisting immigrants and English language learners to read, write and speak English, and
has added mathematics to the scope of services. The AEFLA program also expands the focus of English language
learning and civics education to support individuals in effectively participating in education, work and civic
opportunities.
Through this AEFLA funding, multi-year grants will be awarded based on the ability of the eligible applicant to
meet the following the AEFLA program purposes:
• assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and
economic self-sufficiency;
• assist adults who are parents or family members to become a full partner in the education
development of their children;
• assist adults in completing high school;
• promote transitions from adult education to postsecondary education and/or training through
career pathways; and
• assist immigrants and English language learners improve reading, writing, math, speaking,
comprehension skills in the English language, and acquiring an understanding of American
government, individual freedom and responsibilities of citizenship.
Grant Period:
The grant cycle is for four years, and all providers are subject to the same funding cycle.
• Year One: July 1, 2024- June 30, 2025
• Year Two: July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026
• Year Three: July 1, 2026- June 30, 2027
• Year Four: July 1, 2027- June 30, 2028
Estimated Funds Available for Year One
The CSDE will award multi-year grants to eligible providers through a competitive RFP process to enable
providers to develop, implement and improve adult education* and literacy services. The CSDE estimates that
approximately $5,600,000 will be available under this initiative. Grants awarded through this competition are
continued after one year as funds are available and contingent upon program performance. Following the Year
One grant, Year Two, Year Three and Year Four grant funds will be awarded based on the availability of the
federal funds and by submitting a continuation application that includes a demonstration of successfully
implementing the terms of the grant in the prior year and meeting performance standards.
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*In accordance with WIOA Section 203(1), the term ‘adult education’ means "academic instruction and
education services below the postsecondary level that increases an individual’s ability to:
• read, write, and/or speak in English and perform mathematics or other activities necessary for
attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
• transition to postsecondary education, training; and
• obtain employment.”
WIOA Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy Act
Section 231
Section 225
Section 243
Comprehensive Adult Education
Corrections Education
Integrated English Literacy &
Services
Civics Education
Up to $4,500,000
Up to $200,000
Up to $900,000
Section 231 Comprehensive Adult Education Services
Up to $4,500,000 of funding made available to Connecticut may be used to fund programs in the enhancement
of adult education services. The established priority areas are identified below. Refer to individual priority area
specification for requirements.
• Connecticut Adult Virtual High School
• Family Literacy Services
• Instructional Innovation
• Integrated Education and Training
• Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education
• Technology Integration and Expansion of Services
• Transition, Career Navigation and Support
Section 225 Corrections Education
Up to $200,000 of funding made available to Connecticut may be used to fund programs for corrections
education and other institutionalized individuals as described in WIOA Section 225. Priority will be given to
programs serving individuals who are likely to leave the correctional institution within five years. Refer to
Corrections Education priority area specification for requirements.
Section 243 Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE)
Up to $900,000 of funding made available to Connecticut may be used to fund programs for IELCE. These federal
funds are provided under WIOA Section 243 to establish an integrated English literacy and civics program for
English language learners that is consistent with the requirements of WIOA Final Rules Subpart D. Sections
463.70 through 463.75. IELCE 243 funding will support programs that include the IELCE educational services
delivered in combination with IET. Please note that IELCE services for English language learners that are not
delivered in combination with IET must be provided using IELCE 231 funding. Refer to Integrated English Literacy
and Civics Education + Training (IELCE +T 243) and Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE 231)
priority area specifications for requirements.
Collaboration between eligible providers as well as other community organizations is encouraged to
ensure the non-duplication of services; the capacity to serve the local need; the seamless transition of
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