Office of Adult Education 1800 Century Place, N.E., Suite 300 Atlanta, Georgia 30345-4304 Beverly E. Smith, M. Ed. Assistant Commissioner RFA APPLICATION Federal and State Funding FISCAL YEAR 2014 (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014) Application Due: 3:00 p.m., Friday, March 8, 2013 Some of the questions within this package have been updated from prior versions. Please be sure to read all questions and respond fully to each. Federal Funds authorized under Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 84.002; 84.191; 84.255 and 97.010
Office of Adult Education (TCSG-OAE) RFA Grant Response Checklist Thank you for you applying for the TCSG-OAE Adult Education Grant. As you prepare your application for submittal, please use the checklist below to ensure that your package is complete. þ Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Form with proper signatures (as Cover Sheet) Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) with proper signatures Certification regarding Lobbying Form with proper signature Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Form with signature, if appropriate RFA Assurances Form with proper initials and signatures RFA Budget Forms for: Ø Federal Section 231 ABE/ESL Budget Forms Ø Federal Section 225 Institutionalized Budget Forms Ø Federal Section 223 Professional Development Budget Form Ø Federal Section 231 EL/Civics Budget Forms Ø State Budget Forms RFA Application Forms #1-18 For non-tcsg Entities: An Audited Financial Statement Covering the Most Recent Two-Year Period POINTS TO REMEMBER: Ø Completed application packages are due on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 3:00 PM. There will be no exceptions to the deadline date. It is suggested that you submit early to avoid the rush! Ø Incomplete packages will not be considered. Packages that are missing required signatures/initials are considered incomplete. Ø The Federal 424 Form is required as cover letter/sheet. No other cover letters are acceptable. Ø Applicants must submit five (5) complete copies of the RFA package. Please submit four (4) paper copies and one (1) electronic copy. Two (2) of the paper copies must bear original signatures. Ø Send electronic submissions to: oaerfa@tcsg.edu Ø Mailed/Hand-Delivered copies should be sent to: Technical College System of Georgia Office of Adult Education Attention: Marilyn Shaw 1800 Century Place, Suite 300 Atlanta, Georgia 30345-4304 Ø Any questions regarding the RFA package can be posted at http://literacy.myweb.uga.edu/rfa_questions.shtml or emailed to oaerfa@tcsg.edu. Questions and responses will be posted at http://literacy.myweb.uga.edu/rfa_faq.shtml. FY 2014 RFA 2
Some of the questions within this package have been updated from prior versions. Please be sure to read all questions and respond fully to each. Instructions for completing Application Form #1 Abstract Instructions: Item 1 Item 2 Item 3 Item 4 Item 5 Limit your response to the space provided. Complete the applicant information. Identify the type of organization applying for the grant. LEA Local education agencies or institutions of higher education CBO Community-based Organization FBO Faith-based Organization Non-Profit Public or private non-profit agency, a volunteer literacy organization, a library, or public housing authority, or non-profit institution Consortium a consortium of organizations Provide the applicant contact person information. Specify the county(ies) to be served. Enter the number of persons in the Target Population from the Census of Need. Select funding sources for which your organization is applying and place the total amounts requested for each. Item 6 Total the amounts requested of all items from Item 5. Item 7 Record the Projected Number of Students proposed to be served by totaling Item 9. Item 8 Item 9 Enter the Estimated Cost per Student by dividing the Total Budget request (Item 6) by Projected Number of Students (Item 7). For each type of funding being requested, please provide a projected number of participants to be served for FY 2014. NOTE: The total should be recorded on Item 7. NOTE: If you are not part of the Technical College System of Georgia, please attach an audited financial statement covering the most recent two-year period. FY 2014 RFA 3
1. Applicant Organization Application Form #1 Abstract 2. Applicant Contact Person: Name Name Address City, State, Zip Type of Organization: LEA CBO FBO Non-Profit Consortium 3. County(ies) To Be Served: Address City, State, Zip Phone Number E-mail Address 4. Number of Persons in Target Population: 5. Adult Education Program (Section 231) Corrections & Institutionalized (Section 225) $ $ Professional Development (Section 223) El-Civics (Section 231) State $ $ $ 6. Total Budget: $ 7. Projected # of Students: 8. Estimated Cost per Student: $ 9. Capacity Chart: Funding Source Projected Number of Participants Adult Basic Education/English Language Programs (Federal 231) Corrections and Institutionalized (Federal 225) EL-Civics (Federal 231) FY 2014 RFA 4
Limit response to two pages [Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form # 2A Program Needs Narrative Provide the vision and mission of the program or organization. Please include a description and an estimated number of the populations the program will serve, including special populations, such as low income, residents of public housing, English deficient, single parents, displaced homemakers, individuals with disabilities, out-of-school youths, welfare recipients, dislocated workers, 16-24 year old African-American males, institutionalized, immigrants seeking citizenship, skills deficient, etc. Refer to: Definition of Needs Assessment is located in Supplemental Documents Office of Adult Education Definitions FY 2014 RFA 5
FY 2014 RFA 6 Technical College System of Georgia
[Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form # 2B Organization Chart Provide an Organization Chart showing direct line relationships beginning with the direct supervisor of the Program Administrator through all staff paid for with Adult Education Funds. Using a standard organization chart format, show name and title for all positions with the following exception: when there are four or more staff with the same title, simply list the title and number of employees in that job title (without names), such as single blocks for: Lead Teachers (4), Instructor/Site Managers (5), Full-Time Teachers (35), Part-Time Teachers (70), Instructional Aides (7), etc. Please use titles as updated and defined in the Definitions for Adult Education Personnel document. FY 2014 RFA 7
[Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #3 Direct and Equitable Access Narrative Students Background: It is a requirement to ensure equitable access is available to students for programs and activities and to staff for professional development. Each eligible provider will operate according to agency and program policies which do not discriminate against any applicant, student, teacher or beneficiary on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, or citizenship status, except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law. This nondiscrimination policy encompasses the operation of all educational programs and activities of the Technical College System of Georgia including any Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) financed programs. It also encompasses the employment of personnel and contracting for goods and services. Detail how the program will ensure that all students have equitable access to the program services. FY 2014 RFA 8
Application Form #4 Key Personnel Profile Use this chart to identify key personnel that will be paid from grant funds. Key personnel may include program administrators, teachers, data personnel and transition specialists. Name Position Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Director Instructor Support Instructional Support Other (specify) Employment Status Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Educational Completion HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D HS AA/AAS BS/BA MA/MS Ed S Ph D/Ed D Years of AE Experience FY 2014 RFA 9
Application Form #5 Measurable Goals Outcomes Review Georgia s Negotiated Goals, which are contained in the Goals for Core Indicators (http://literacy.myweb.uga.edu/goalsforcoreindicators.pdf). For each item below, identify 3-5 strategies that the program will implement to help participants meet each outcome. Educational Gain Entered Employment Retained Employment Obtained GED Entered Postsecondary Education or Training FY 2014 RFA 10
[Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #6 Intensity and Duration Program Grantees must provide a minimum of 6 hours per week of instruction for any class. Please describe how your program will provide instruction/learning opportunities that are of sufficient intensity and duration to achieve substantial learning gains. Description must include flexible scheduling to meet the needs of various populations. FY 2014 RFA 11
Application Form #7 Research-Based Instruction and Real Life Contextual Learning Please describe 3-5 examples of research-based instructional practices that your program will use to assist students with achieving substantial learning gains. Please describe 3-5 examples of real life contextual learning practices that your program will use to assist students with achieving substantial learning gains. FY 2014 RFA 12
[Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #8 Recruitment and Retention Plan Please detail the major recruitment and retention strategies that the program will use to assist students with achieving substantial learning gains. If a renewal grantee, please describe successful recruitment and retention outcomes from FY 2013. FY 2014 RFA 13
Limit response to two pages [Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #9 Use of Technology Explain how technology will be incorporated into all areas of the program (e.g. ABE, ASE, GED, ESL, EL/Civics) to improve learning outcomes and to prepare students with technology skills needed for college and career. Detail the specific technologies to be used, maintained, and how the program will ensure that teachers will be trained for their optimal use. FY 2014 RFA 14
FY 2014 RFA 15 Technical College System of Georgia
[Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #10 Data Collection and Management Describe how the program will engage all program personnel in data collection and data management to ensure performance accountability is achieved. FY 2014 RFA 16
[Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #11 Program Planning and Improvement In addition to the Goals for Core Indicators (http://literacy.myweb.uga.edu/goalsforcoreindicators.pdf ) and RFA Assurances (http://literacy.myweb.uga.edu/fy2014assurances.pdf), please describe how the program will assess the effectiveness of the organization in achieving continuous improvement of adult education and literacy activities, including needs assessments, stakeholder surveys, teacher and program evaluations, etc. FY 2014 RFA 17
Limit response to two pages [Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #12 Transition to Postsecondary Education/Occupational Training It is required that each program employ a full or part time Transition Specialist or, if a CBO have access to a Transition Specialist and their services. Transition services include: Management of the overall transition services process, Coaching and Mentoring, and Liaison between Post-Secondary and Workforce. Describe your organization s Transition to Postsecondary Education/Occupational Training strategic plan by responding to the four areas below: A. Program description, programmatic goals and targeted outcomes; (to include the following details) a. Is there a transition specialist? b. Is the specialist a full or part-time employee and how many hours per week are dedicated for the transition program? c. How will your program achieve both NRS and local institution goals (KMS)? d. If a CBO, what is your plan for collaborating with other adult education programs? B. Local Transition to Postsecondary Education/Occupational Training protocols for both instructional staff and student; (to include the following details) a. Are there pre-requisites for the adult learner prior to being referred to the transition specialist? b. What is the student referral process? c. Are instructional staff members and GED examiners included in the transition process and how? d. Is there a working relationship with the local postsecondary institution(s) for transitioning adult learners? If so, what does the relationship entail? If not, why not? C. Techniques for providing contextualized instruction, career inventory/assessment and planning, along with scheduling time for face-to-face guidance counseling; (to include the following details) a. Do staff members provide career awareness instruction within curricula? b. Do students have access to student services and/or other postsecondary resources? D. And, monitoring and evaluation (to include the following details). a. How does or will your program monitor and evaluate the transition services provided to adult learners? b. If a renewal grantee, what are the outcomes for students served during FY 2013? c. What are your perceived barriers? FY 2014 RFA 18
FY 2014 RFA 19 Technical College System of Georgia
[Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #13 Direct and Equitable Access Narrative Staff Background: It is a requirement to ensure equitable access is available to students for programs and activities and to staff for professional development. Each eligible provider will operate according to agency and program policies which do not discriminate against any applicant, student, teacher or beneficiary on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, or citizenship status, except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law. This nondiscrimination policy encompasses the operation of all educational programs and activities of the Technical College System of Georgia including any Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) financed programs. It also encompasses the employment of personnel and contracting for goods and services. Describe plans to ensure that all program personnel will have equitable access to professional development. FY 2014 RFA 20
[Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #14A Professional Development Plan Narrative Summarize the program s Professional Development Plan for the year by providing an overview of specific topics and planned training activities. Further explain the training that s needed by identifying how it will support a growth effort or improvement initiative for the program in an area of instructor effectiveness, adult learning, program management, file documentation, or performance reporting, as indicated by findings from the local needs assessment. The specifics of the Professional Development Plan will be listed on Form #14B. FY 2014 RFA 21
Application Form #14B Professional Development Plan Details Use the table below to layout the program s Professional Development Plan for the year. Identify dates, topics, intended audience (e.g. part or full-time, staff, faculty (all or only certain content areas), and number of expected participants), and estimated expenses for each activity. Lastly, mark the professional development type (a legend is provided beneath the table). Total the estimates for each type and transfer them, along with the plan s grand total, to the Project Number 2642A001 Federal Section 223 Professional Development Budget Form. PROPOSED DATE TRAINING TOPIC AND INTENDED AUDIENCE PD TYPE SW LL TT ESTIMATED EXPENSE GRAND TOTAL FOR ALL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING ACTIVITIES Professional Development Type: SW=Statewide, LL=Local Program Level, TT=Technical Training FY 2014 RFA 22
Limit response to two pages [Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #15 Coordination Per the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, electronically located at http://www.doleta.gov/regs/statutes/wialaw.txt Title II, Section 231: Local Provision for Eligible Providers and Section 232. The local application shall include a description of any cooperative arrangements the applicant has with other agencies, institutions, or organizations for the delivery of adult education and literacy activities. The eligible agency (TCSG) shall consider whether the activities coordinate with other available resources in the community, such as by establishing strong links with elementary schools and secondary schools, postsecondary educational institutions, one-stop centers, job training programs, and social service agencies. In the space below, describe any: 1. cooperative arrangements/contracts or coordination efforts developed with other agencies, institutions, or organizations for the delivery of adult education and literacy activities. 2. coordination efforts with community organizations, institutions and other agencies to provide services to adult education learners, such as agreements with K-12 school systems and post-secondary educational institutions; community service organizations that provide health services, facilities, transportation, childcare or services for disabilities; and WIA services such as One Stop Centers, Youth Councils, and the Rapid Response System. FY 2014 RFA 23
FY 2014 RFA 24 Technical College System of Georgia
Application Form #16 Participatory Planning Committee All applicants are to engage in coordination/cooperation planning with other public and private agencies for the delivery of adult literacy services. The participatory planning committee and/or advisory committee are to assist in preparing the application. List the date(s) for each meeting, name of participants and the organization represented. Date Participants and Organization Represented FY 2014 RFA 25
Application Form #17 Demonstration of Past Effectiveness (Previous Grantees) Provide the number of monthly experience providing adult educational/literacy services. Using available statistics (cited source required), demonstrate past effectiveness of services for the program for July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. In addition to the chart, include a paragraph that explains prior effectiveness. Number of months experience: Educational Functioning Levels Beginning ABE Literacy # of Students Served Per Level # of Completions Per Level Beginning Basic Education Low Intermediate Basic Education High Intermediate Basic Education Low Adult Secondary Education Beginning ESL Literacy Low Beginning ESL High Beginning ESL Low Intermediate ESL # in Postsecondary Education # Obtained Diploma/GED # of Entered Employment # of Retained Employment Data Information Source: High Intermediate ESL ESL Advanced GED and GED Testing Service are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (ACE) and may not be used or reproduced without express written permission. The GED and GED Testing Service brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license from ACE. FY 2014 RFA 26
[Question(s) may be removed for additional response space] Application Form #18 Demonstration of Past Effectiveness (New Applicants) Provide the number of months experience providing adult education /literacy services. Describe your program s prior experience in working with individuals to deliver educational services. Include numbers serviced, instructional methods and types of services. Also include information about your program student outcomes such as increases in educational ability, obtainment of GED, transition to postsecondary education employment and other successes. As a new grant applicant, if awarded grant dollars for FY14, describe start-up plans & specific dates for hiring, staff training & development, class development & implementation and student recruitment. Number of months experience: FY 2014 RFA 27