Questions submitted by parties interested in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) – Pre-Vocational Training funds, and the answers to those questions, are listed below. Questions and answers are organized by general topic area and/or category. This Web page will be updated regularly as questions are submitted.

Questions regarding this SFP were accepted through December 1, 2006 and posted below. We are no longer accepting questions.

• Applicant Eligibility
• General
• Length of Project
• Match/In-Kind
• Proposal Format
• Program
• Use of Funds

Applicant Eligibility

1. Q. Are local governments and community based organizations eligible to apply for this grant?

   A. Yes. It is the intent of this SFP that, to the greatest extent possible, local partnerships be formed for this project between Local Workforce Investment Boards (Local Board), state/local agencies that serve the at-risk youth populations in the local and regional areas, local public education agencies, youth advocacy groups, faith-based and community based organizations, training providers, and business and economic development groups.

2. Q. Are adult schools eligible?

   A. Yes. It is the intent of this SFP that, to the greatest extent possible, local partnerships be formed for this project between Local Workforce Investment Boards, state/local agencies that serve the at-risk youth populations in the local and regional areas, local public education agencies, youth advocacy groups, faith-based and community based organizations, training providers, and business and economic development groups.

3. Q. The majority of the students that we serve at the adult school are 18 years and older. However, we do serve a significant amount of students from 18-21 years old. Will this limit our chances to be chosen for the grant?

   A. No. The SFP requires services be provided to youth within the age range of 14-21 years.

General

1. Q. Is this the first time this program is being solicited?

   A. Yes. This is the first SFP specifically focused on funding Pre-Vocational Training Programs.

2. Q. Are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) posted anywhere?

   A. There are no specific FAQs posted but we have implemented an electronic questions and answers process for this solicitation. All answers will be posted, on a flow basis, on the following EDD SFP Web page: www.edd.ca.gov/wiarep/wiaspind.htm.

3. Q. Is there a numbering error or was there a question mistakenly omitted since it appears that the numbering jumps from #1 to #3.

   A. Yes there was a numbering error. No question was omitted. Question 3 should have been numbered as Question 2.

Length of Project

1. Q. Is this a one-year grant?

   A. The State expects that the performance period for projects awarded under the solicitation will be between 18 and 24 months. Grant funds will not be available for longer than the 24-month expenditure period.

2. Q. What time period will this grant cover?

   A. The State anticipates that the earliest startup date for the projects awarded under this solicitation will be March 1, 2007, with a performance period that will be between 18 and 24 months. Grant funds will not be available for longer than the 24-month expenditure period.

Match/In-Kind

1. Q. Is matching required and is there a preference for cash or in-kind matching?

   A. While there is no requirement in the SFP for non-WIA cash and/or non-WIA in-kind match, projects which demonstrate a non-WIA cash and/or non-WIA in-kind match will receive points under the Resource Utilization section as follows:

• Projects with a match between 1 – 19 percent will be rewarded 1 point
• Projects with a match between 20 – 39 percent will be rewarded 3 points
• Projects with a match equal to or greater than 40 percent will be rewarded 5 points

It is the intent of this SFP to fund projects that can leverage other resources to maximize the impact of the project and the return on investment. There will be no preferential scoring distinction between non-WIA cash and non-WIA in-kind match.

(See SFP Section 5 C. Non-WIA Cash and/or Non-WIA In-Kind Match for further details).

2. Q. Regarding collaboration and matches: Is it correct to assume that while we may partner with an agency that already receives some WIA funding we may not use this agency’s in-kind services as an in-kind match. A number of agencies we know receive multiple sources of funding. WIA funding included. Does the receipt of some WIA dollars disqualify them as a matching source?

   A. For an applicant to receive points as provided under the Resource Utilization section the projects must demonstrate a non-WIA cash and/or non-WIA in-kind match. The fact that a partner receives WIA funding would not preclude them from providing services under the proposal. However, the WIA resource will not be counted as match.

Program

1. Q. What sorts of programs are currently funded?

   A. While pre-vocational activities (remediation, soft skills, career awareness) are components of some programs, particularly youth-serving programs, this is the only funding currently devoted specifically to developing or expanding such components.

   Through this solicitation, the State expects to fund programs that increase the number of at-risk youth who are prepared to enter career technical training, post-secondary educational programs, apprenticeships, or employment in high wage/high growth occupations. It is anticipated that the programs will introduce at-risk youth to locally-based high wage/high growth career options and either improve basic academic skills (reading, writing and math, including completion of a GED) and/or provide industry-identified soft skills training (i.e., problem solving, work ethics, communications, etc.).

2. Q. The SFP clearly calls for follow-up. But how much follow-up is mandated? Is a minimum period required? If the total budget is to be spent by the end of the grant period, does all follow-up need to end by December 2008? If in accordance with the standard procedures for follow-up, this process is to continue beyond the grant/program itself, who will do and who will pay for it?

   A. The State is encouraging follow-up after a youth exits from a program in order to support retention in employment, post-secondary education, advanced training or qualified apprenticeships. The Governor has flexibility in implementing these requirements in discretionary projects. The final follow-up design will be negotiated with each successful applicant during contract negotiations based on the length of the contract and the funding available to the applicant. If, because of the short duration of these projects, an applicant is unable to provide at least six months of follow-up after placement in unsubsidized employment, the project design should suggest how the program will ensure successful employment retention. Some examples include, support through continuing partner services or through employment mentors.

3. Q. What is meant by "employability enhancement" exits in form 6? Is this the same as industry-identified soft skills training (i.e., problem solving, work ethics, communications etc.) in Section IV: Goals and Objectives? On what JTA form is this to be captured: the exit form, the goal form, or the follow-up form?

   A. Employability Enhancements exits are defined as those participants that either entered military service, entered a qualified apprenticeship program, entered advanced training, attained a recognized certificate/diploma/degree, attained a high school diploma/GED, or returned to secondary school (youth only). These are not the same as industry-identified soft skills training. (See question below on definition of industry–identified soft skills). We anticipate that the JTA Goals form will capture the soft skills achievements.

4. Q. What is the definition of “industry-identified soft skills training”?

   A. Industry-identified soft skills training are defined as training that results in participants achieving basic traits and skills including problem solving, interpersonal abilities, work ethics and leadership. Combined, they are the key to an individual's ability to get a job, to keep it, and to move up in an organization. Prospective employers are integral in identifying these skills for the high wage/high growth occupations that are being targeted by the proposed project.

5. Q. What is the targeted cost per participant for this SFP?

   A. There is no predetermined cost per participant for this SFP. Cost per participant will be evaluated on an individual applicant proposal basis.

6. Q. We still need clarification on which positions funded by the grant would be construed as administrative. For example, we have educational advisors who provide educational counseling and placement services. We would use them along with counseling clerks in the follow-up phase. We do not consider these positions administrative and would put them in them under program costs. Is this correct?

   A. In the example provided the educational advisors and counseling clerks would be providing direct services and therefore could be included in program costs.

Proposal Format

1. Q. Can charts/tables that will be included within the 20 page narrative portion for the proposal use a font size less than 12 point?

   A. A font size less than 12 point may be used on the charts and tables.

Program

1. Q. What sorts of programs are currently funded?

   A. While pre-vocational activities (remediation, soft skills, career awareness) are components of some programs, particularly youth-serving programs, this is the only funding currently devoted specifically to developing or expanding such components.

   Through this solicitation, the State expects to fund programs that increase the number of at-risk youth who are prepared to enter career technical training, post-secondary educational programs, apprenticeships, or employment in high wage/high growth occupations. It is anticipated that the programs will introduce at-risk youth to locally-based high wage/high growth career options and either improve basic academic skills (reading, writing and math, including completion of a GED) and/or provide industry-identified soft skills training (i.e., problem solving, work ethics, communications, etc.).

2. Q. The SFP clearly calls for follow-up. But how much follow-up is mandated? Is a minimum period required? If the total budget is to be spent by the end of the grant period, does all follow-up need to end by December 2008? If in accordance with the standard procedures for follow-up, this process is to continue beyond the grant/program itself, who will do and who will pay for it?

   A. The State is encouraging follow-up after a youth exits from a program in order to support retention in employment, post-secondary education, advanced training or qualified apprenticeships. The Governor has flexibility in implementing these requirements in discretionary projects. The final follow-up design will be negotiated with each successful applicant during contract negotiations based on the length of the contract and the funding available to the applicant. If, because of the short duration of these projects, an applicant is unable to provide at least six months of follow-up after placement in unsubsidized employment, the project design should suggest how the program will ensure successful employment retention. Some examples include, support through continuing partner services or through employment mentors.

3. Q. What is meant by "employability enhancement" exits in form 6? Is this the same as industry-identified soft skills training (i.e., problem solving, work ethics, communications etc.) in Section IV: Goals and Objectives? On what JTA form is this to be captured: the exit form, the goal form, or the follow-up form?

   A. Employability Enhancements exits are defined as those participants that either entered military service, entered a qualified apprenticeship program, entered advanced training, attained a recognized certificate/diploma/degree, attained a high school diploma/GED, or returned to secondary school (youth only). These are not the same as industry-identified soft skills training. (See question below on definition of industry–identified soft skills). We anticipate that the JTA Goals form will capture the soft skills achievements.

4. Q. What is the definition of “industry-identified soft skills training”?

   A. Industry-identified soft skills training are defined as training that results in participants achieving basic traits and skills including problem solving, interpersonal abilities, work ethics and leadership. Combined, they are the key to an individual's ability to get a job, to keep it, and to move up in an organization. Prospective employers are integral in identifying these skills for the high wage/high growth occupations that are being targeted by the proposed project.

5. Q. What is the targeted cost per participant for this SFP?

   A. There is no predetermined cost per participant for this SFP. Cost per participant will be evaluated on an individual applicant proposal basis.

6. Q. We still need clarification on which positions funded by the grant would be construed as administrative. For example, we have educational advisors who provide educational counseling and placement services. We would use them along with counseling clerks in the follow-up phase. We do not consider these positions administrative and would put them in them under program costs. Is this correct?

   A. In the example provided the educational advisors and counseling clerks would be providing direct services and therefore could be included in program costs.

Use of Funds

1. Q. How many awards do you anticipate in response to this solicitation?

   A. It is anticipated that there will three to five awards funded by this SFP. The maximum total award to a grantee will be $300,000.

2. Q. What do you anticipate the average award size to be?

   A. The awards will be from $100,000 to $300,000.

3. Q. Is $1,000,000 the total funding available?

   A. Yes. The estimated funding available for this SFP is $1 million.