Governor’s Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CalGRIP) 2008/09
Questions and Answers

Questions submitted by parties interested in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - Governor’s Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CalGRIP) program 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.

Updated November 3, 2008

• Application Eligibility
• General
• Match
• Proposal Criteria

Application Eligibility

1.  Are the CalGRIP proposals from Employment Development Department and the Office of Emergency Services two separate "pots of money" or are they inter-related?
They are two separate grant opportunities from two different fund sources.

2.  Can a school district, being a public organization, apply as the lead agency?
Yes, a school district may apply as the lead agency.  Eligible applicants include public, private non-profit, and private for-profit organizations.

3.  Could a large municipal corporation, such as the City of Los Angeles, submit two applications from two different departments that deal with two different populations, such as at-risk youth and gang youth, in distinct geographic areas?
Yes, different departments under the umbrella of a city functioning as a corporate municipality may apply.

4.  Is a county agency eligible to apply through EDD for the CalGRIP grant?  The State Office of Emergency Services has also posted their CalGRIP solicitation but the only eligible agencies are Community Based Organizations and cities.
Yes, a county may apply for the EDD’s CalGRIP grant.  Eligible applicants include public, private non-profit, and private for-profit organizations.

5.  Cover/Signature Page – Is it prohibited or discouraged to apply for both the EDD CalGRIP 2008-09 and the OES CalGRIP 2008-09 funds?
No, they are two separate grant opportunities from two different fund sources therefore applicants may apply for either one or both.

General

1.  Does the Resolution have to be submitted at the time of application?  It is not on the checklist, but it is mentioned on page 27.  Is it only required if awarded?
No.  There is no need for a Resolution at the time of application.  The Resolution is not required until an amount has actually been awarded.

2.  Please clarify the varied length of the program and contracts being explained in the SFP.  If an agency is proposing a program that would run from 12/2008 through 6/2010 – is that an 18 month program or do we add 6 months for follow-up and indicate in the narrative and budget that this model would end in 12/2010 as a 24 month program.
Every attempt should be made through program design to include follow-up services within the project start and end dates.  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.  Should we attach letters of support as part of the proposal package?
No, letters of support are not part of the review process and should not be included.

4.  How is the EDD CalGRIP funding different from the OES CalGRIP funding?
Both the EDD and OES CalGRIP funding are a part of the Governor’s statewide CalGRIP Initiative that targets $31 million in state and federal funding toward local anti-gang efforts. The EDD CalGRIP Initiative is for employment and training purposes which include job training, supportive services, education and placement for youth ages 14-24, who are either current gang members, gang-involved, or at-risk of gang involvement. The EDD will use the federal Workforce Investment Act Governor’s Discretionary 15 percent funds to make awards. The OES CalGRIP Initiative is for gang prevention, intervention, reentry, education, job training and skills development, and family and community services and suppression activities. The OES will use State Restitution Funds to make awards. To find out more information on OES CalGRIP funding, please visit OES’s RFP Web site.

5.  Appendix E - Can you please provide further information on the Job Training Automation System? Is this a software program we need to install on our computers or is it web-based? What is the cost?
The Job Training Automation (JTA) system is a State run system that collects information for the Workforce Investment Act program. Currently the JTA system is not web-based and will require purchasing an emulation software package. The cost of the software is estimated at $200. Additionally, you will need to meet the minimum hardware and software requirements detailed in Appendix E.

Match

1.  Can city funds that are used to pay for salaries of existing staff that will be working with the program be used as a match?  For example, if we have outreach workers that work with gang youth and they will be working with this grant program, can we submit their salaries on our application as part of the matching funds?
Yes, the example you provide here would be considered an in-kind match as long as the city provides a letter of commitment verifying that the funds will be used specifically for the project’s activities.  See page 7 of the SFP for additional match requirements.

2.  What detail is needed to document the in-kind match?
All cash/in-kind match must be documented with a letter of commitment verifying the match and be included as an attachment to the proposal.  If the applicant is providing cash/in-kind match they must submit a commitment letter describing the match.  All commitment letters must contain the dollar amount or match, how the match will be used specifically for this project, and a contact person and telephone number.  Match amounts will be verified by the State prior to selection of the grant award.  Match amounts not included in commitment letters will not be counted.

Proposal Criteria

1.  What kind of documentation is needed for partnerships, MOU’s or some kind of letters of agreement?  If awarded will we have some time to develop and execute contracts?
In Section V of the Proposal Narrative, applicants must demonstrate how they have successfully established effective partnerships.  In addition, the partnerships should be listed on the Partner Roles and Responsibilities Chart (SFP Form 4) with a description of each partner’s roles and responsibilities.  If awarded, grantees will have time for start up activities including execution of contracts.

2.  Proposal Narrative Form – Page 2 of 5 – Item 1 - Can you please describe what you’re looking for in terms of a “service process flowchart”, or provide a sample?
A service process flowchart represents the steps that participants will go through in receiving the services necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the project.

3.  Proposal Narrative Form – Page 4 of 5 – Section VI – Item 3 – Will an applicant lose points if we have no past grants from the Department of Labor or State WIA 15 Percent?
No, an applicant will not lose points if they have not received past grants from the Department of Labor or through a State WIA 15 percent grant.  This section of the Proposal Narrative is informational only and will not be scored.

4.  Project Work Plan – Can you please provide instructions on how to complete this form?
The Project Work Plan (SFP Form 2) should include the activities/objectives and timelines of your service delivery plan.  A sample is included on page 3 of the Proposal Package Instructions.

5.  Performance Goals Matrix – Please provide definition of “unsubsidized employment.”
Unsubsidized employment is work with earnings provided by an employer who does not receive a subsidy for the creation and maintenance of the employment position.

6.  Budget Summary Plan – Item K – Are stipends an eligible cost?
Yes, cash payments, such as incentive and stipends, would be considered allowable if the payments met the conditions of supportive services as described in the WIA and its regulations (WIA 101(46) and Title 20 of the Federal Regulations 664.440).  If the youth needs the incentive of cash payments in order to succeed in and complete the WIA program, those payments could be allowable under WIA, unless the local board has implemented a policy limiting or disallowing such payments.

7.  Budget Summary Plan – What if we don’t have an indirect cost rate?  Can we request administrative funds?
It is not necessary to have an indirect cost rate.  A maximum of ten percent of the total project budget will be allowed for administrative costs.

8.  Solicitation for Proposals – Page 4 – Item B – How do you want applicants to document and/or determine gang involvement?  What is acceptable documentation?
It will be left up to the applicant to describe the characteristics of the youth and how it will be documented and/or determined as to whether a youth is a current gang member, gang involved or at-risk of gang involvement.  Some examples of characteristics include, but are not limited to, gang tattoos, self proclaimed gang member, live in known gang territories or data from probation officers or school resource officers.

9.  Solicitation for Proposals – Page 9 – Item 4 – Do you want a Certificate of Good Standing from the Secretary of State?  If yes, how current?  Or are you looking for a different document?
No, applicants do not need to provide a Certificate of Good Standing from the Secretary of State.  If you are a non-profit organization, you must provide a copy of your non-profit certification from the California Franchise Tax Board.