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.

• Applicant Eligibility
• General
• Performance Goals/Benchmarks
• Proposal Criteria
• Proposal Format
• Use of Funds

Applicant Eligibility

1. Q.  Would an after-school program that included job readiness, school success, and skill-building activities be considered eligible for these funds?

   A.  Eligible applicants include public, private non-profit, and private for-profit organizations. Eligible applicant must also clearly describe its capability to conduct and administer a federally funded project including the ability to collect and report financial and participant data as required. If an after-school program meets these criteria they are eligible to apply.

General

1. Q.  Do you accept letters of recommendation?

   A.  No, letters of recommendation are not part of the review process.

2. Q.  Can you provide a list of past grantees?

   A.  This is the first gang Solicitation for Proposal the Employment Development Department has announced; therefore a list of the past grantees does not exist.

3. Q.  What approximate number of awards are expected to be made and for approximately what range of funding each?

   A.  The maximum total award per each grantee is $400,000. There will be roughly $2.8 million awarded. Therefore we expect to fund seven applications.

4. Q.  Are attachments, such as support letters, area maps, supportive statistical data, allowable in this proposal? Also, if allowed will they be counted in the 20 page limit?

   A.  You may not include letters of support but you may include area maps and statistical data within the proposal narrative form which is limited to 20 pages. Anything above and beyond the 20 page limit will be removed and not included in the reading of the proposals. Attachments specified in the SFP are the SFP forms, copies of non-profit certification from the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board and letters of commitment verifying cash/in-kind match.

5. Q.  Given this is a pilot program, do you anticipate that another cycle of funding will be available through this program in another year or at a later date? What factors impact whether or not this program continues beyond this initial pilot phase?

   A.  There is no guarantee that another cycle or year of funding will be available. The factors that will impact whether or not this program continues beyond this pilot phase are the budget and the priorities set by the California Workforce Investment Board, Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Governor.

Performance Goals/Benchmarks

1. Q.  Can you clarify or give an example of what would qualify as an "industry-identified soft skills program" for the purpose of meeting Benchmark #2 in the CalGRIP SFP?

   A.  Industry-identified soft skills training results in participants achieving basic 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 or career ladder that are targeted by the proposed projects.

2. Q.   I would like clarification on “entered into career technical training program”. Second please define “entered apprenticeship program”, does it have to be a State approved program or can it be a pre-apprenticeship program which leads to a formal apprenticeship program? And finally define “entered customized employer-based training”. Would any program that an employer has specifically for his/her operation qualify?

   A.  Career technical training is a training program that integrates academic knowledge with technical and occupational skills. This could include Career Technical Education (CTE), pre-apprenticeship training and other training programs that make learning more relevant by offering students real-world learning opportunities.
   
   Apprenticeship programs need to be approved and recorded by the ETA/Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) or by a recognized State Apprenticeship Agency (State Apprenticeship Council). Approval is by certified registration or other appropriate written credential. Pre-apprenticeship training is included in the definition of career technical training.
   
   Customized employer-based training is training:
   a. that is designed to meet the special requirements of an employer (including a group of
       employers);
   b. that is conducted with a commitment by the employer to employ an individual on
       successful completion of the training; and
   c. for which the employer pays for not less than 50 percent of the cost of the training.

3. Q.  If the non-local board applicant prefers to develop a program design around the State benchmarks (rather than local benchmarks), must an explanation be provided in Section IV. - Performance Goals of the proposal narratives?

   A.  No, an explanation is only necessary if the planned benchmarks are different than the State benchmarks. If so, the applicant must provide an explanation in Section IV. Performance Goals of the proposal narrative.

4. Q.  Will you be using the exact definition of the common measures as outlined in TEGL No. 17-05?

   A.  Yes, we will be using the youth common measure definitions contained in Department of Labor’s TEGL No. 17-05 for Placement in Employment or Education Attainment of a Degree or Certificate Literacy/Numeracy Gains. To fully evaluate performance for this SFP, we have added a 4th performance benchmark, Retained or Returned to Secondary School, which is not contained in the common measures.

5. Q.  Under performance, does placement in employment, education or training have to be during the 1st Quarter post-exit, or can the placement be taken if the participant is found in any of these activities at exit or any time up through the 1st Quarter post-exit?

   A.  Employment (including the military) or post-secondary education or training may most certainly begin during the exit quarter, but in order to obtain a positive outcome on the measure the young person must continue in employment (the military) or post-secondary education/advanced training or occupational training during the first quarter after exit.

6. Q.  If the Common Measures uses a single set of measures for youth clients (no distinction between Younger Youth and Older Youth), why does the SFP make the distinction for performance purposes?

   A.  The distinction between younger and older youth in the SFP was made in order to capture the different service strategies for each of these groups and to provide performance benchmarks that are more relevant for the age group. For example, placement in employment, education or training goals are lower for younger youth (30 percent) because the goal for this age group is to complete secondary school. Whereas the goal for older youth (60 percent) is to enter employment or training/education where they can build skills for a job that has career potential.

7. Q.  Since this is a demonstration project, is there the flexibility to establish benchmarks that are achievable (particularly relating to Literacy/Numeracy)? The established benchmark goals stated in the SFP on Literacy/Numeracy may be too difficult to attain. It would be more realistic to use the current ‘Skill Attainment’ measure (since the state has not, as yet, established any goals for Literacy/Numeracy).

   A.  Skill Attainment goals will not be used as a performance measure for this SFP. The SFP benchmark goals for Literacy/Numeracy are provided as a point of reference for applicants in developing their project performance goals. Applicants may establish benchmarks that are less than the State goals. However, an explanation must be provided that demonstrates how these are reasonable given the needs of the target population.

8. Q.  Does the definition of Recognized Certificate/Degree in TEGL 17-05 apply to Attained Recognized Certificate/Diploma Degree in item 2 on the benchmarks worksheets on page 2 of 5 of the CalGRIP proposal narrative form?

   A.  Yes, we will be using the DOL common measure definitions for recognized certificate/degree.

9. Q.  Are the exits the total exits to be included on SFP Form 6 all positive outcomes or does this total number include non-positive outcomes?

   A.  Total exits should include all participants exiting the program including any non-positive outcomes.

10. Q.  There are 3 Common Measures for Youth (Placement in Employment/Education, Attainment of Degree/Certificate and Literacy/Numeracy). What is the intent of the additional fourth measure listed in the SFP (Retain or returned to secondary school for at least two semesters)? Please clarify this measure and advise how this measure will be tracked in JTA.

    A.  Research indicates that dropping out of high school can be a risk factor for youth who join gangs and high school dropouts are unlikely to have the minimum skills necessary to function in today’s labor market. In order for a grantee to demonstrate that they have had a positive impact on youth and minimized their risk of gang involvement this measure was added.

    The measure applies to in-school and out of school youth as follows:

• In-school – must be retained in high school for at least two consecutive semesters. This success must be reportable within the term of the grant.
• Out of school – must be returned and retained in high school for at least two semesters.

A young person who has a high school diploma or equivalent at entry into the program or who obtains a high school diploma or equivalent during the life of the program will be excluded from this measure.

Data to verify secondary school status will be collected through a modification to current JTA forms.

Proposal Criteria

1. Q.  What is your definition of a for-profit organization? Can this be a business or, is it necessary to be a community based organization with a board?

   A.  Proposals will be accepted from public, private non-profit, and private for-profit organizations. A for-profit organization is an organization that is established with the intention of making a profit that can be distributed to the owner(s) or stakeholders. Both non-profit and for profit organizations must provide their IRS and Tax ID Numbers. No, applicant eligibility is not limited to a community based organization with a board.

2. Q.  Can a group of for profit businesses collaborate as an applicant in providing the services?

   A.  Yes a group of for profit businesses can collaborate and submit one application; however, one business must be designated as the authorized lead representative and the fiscal agent.

3. Q.  Will proposals providing a regional framework with proposed partners be considered, with specific program design and final partners to be determined after the potential award?

   A.  The SFP requires applicants to fully describe their program design and the mix of partners that will assist to achieve the planned goals and objectives of the project. Applicants must demonstrate that a high level of coordination already exists or that formalized linkages are in the process of being established. Without this program design up front, an applicant will not be competitive throughout the review process.

4. Q.  Can a single applicant, such as the Community Development of the City of Los Angeles, submit several applications for this funding, if the scope of work for these applications are different?

   A.  Applicants may only submit one application for funding under this SFP. However, in the case of a city functioning as a corporate municipality, different departments under the umbrella of the city may apply.

5. Q.  If we can only submit one application for this funding, is it possible that we could also collaborate with another organization that is applying as the lead for this funding?

   A.  Yes you may collaborate with another organization as long as you are the lead agency on only one application. Creating effective partnerships is a key element in any workforce development system and is an essential component of this SFP.

6. Q.  What does “total youth in service area” mean as it relates to this particular SFP as shown on page 2 of the Proposal Package Instructions?

   A.  The total youth in service area relates to describing the economic and workforce conditions and demonstrates the need for the project in your area. This section of the narrative (Section I.2.) should relate how the statistical information supports the need for serving the target population of this SFP.

7. Q.  Is there a specific amount of time mandated for the provision of follow-up services to participants as described in Appendix A since a lengthy mandate could curtail the flexibility in program design?

   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.

8. Q.  Are there any requirements about the amount of time that youth must participate in the funded programs, such as a certain number of hours per youth or could a drop-in job training center be eligible?

   A.  There are no requirements on the amount of time a youth must participate in the program. However, applicants must demonstrate that their service strategy is comprehensive and community focused providing a holistic approach to serving the needs of this population. You would need to demonstrate that a “drop-in job training center” could accomplish this goal as well as the performance benchmarks required in the SFP.

9. Q.  Would training and education in financial literacy and personal investment strategies be considered to fall under the category of “Entrepreneurial training”?

   A.  The activities you describe would not necessarily fall under Entrepreneurial training. Entrepreneurial training provides intensive training in business management skills for individuals with the intent to start their own business. The training addresses topics such as how to establish a business, how to obtain necessary permits and licenses, how to arrange for insurance coverage, how to write a business plan, and how to run a successful business.

10. Q.  If the Applicant is a subcontractor to the direct recipient of a State WIA 15% grant, is this disclosure also preferred in Section VI. – Resource Utilization of the proposal narratives?

    A.  In Section VI Resource Utilization Narrative, question 3 asks that applicants describe any direct grants received through a state WIA 15 percent grant. As a subcontractor to a direct recipient you would not need to disclose this here.

11. Q.  Would each of the following data be adequate to establish that youth are at-risk of gang involvement: a) school suspension date, b) school truancy data, c) local law enforcement’s crime statistics, and d) survey results from youth asked about risky and/or delinquent behaviors?

    A.  Yes, these data points would establish that youth could be at-risk of gang involvement. The local law enforcement’s crime statistics would need to correlate specifically to gang activity if used.

12. Q.  Is the applicant required to serve the entire range of age group 14-24 or can the agency select its range, for example, 18-21?

    A.  Yes, the applicant may select a specific age group to target within the age ranges of 14 to 24.

13. Q.  Will established contract/relationship with high growth high wage employer(s) for participants be required or weighed heavily in this contract?

    A.  Established contracts/relationships with high growth high wage employers is not a requirement for the SFP. However, under Section V of the proposal narrative, applicants must demonstrate that a high level of coordination exists or that linkages are in the process of being established with a variety of organizations including employers.

14. Q.  What is the distinction between “current gang member” “gang-involved” and “at risk of gang involvement”?

    A.  Generally a current gang member is a youth that is actively participating in a gang and frequently acknowledges this fact. Whereas a gang involved youth may not be a full-fledged member, but is involved with gang members or gang activities. The distinction between a current gang member and gang involved youth is often difficult to discern and many local factors may influence this. Therefore, the SFP asks applicants to describe how you will determine whether a youth is a current gang member, gang-involved or at risk of gang involvement.

15. Q.  The solicitation instructions state “Applicants must provide a description of how they will determine whether a youth is a current gang member, gang involved or at-risk of gang involvement.” Does the EDD have any standards or measurements to determine how youth are considered “at risk of gang involvement” or are you allowing leeway to the applicant to make that determination?

    A.  It will be left up to the applicant to describe the characteristics of the youth and how it will be determined whether a youth is a current gang member, gang involved or at-risk of gang involvement.

16. Q.  The grant period on the SFP Form 6 begins in March 08 and ends in December 09. This is only 21 months. Page 5 of 46 in the SFP states the grant period can be between 18 to 24 months. Do we have the ability to revise the grant end date on SFP Form 6 to allow for the full 24 months?

    A.  The earliest date for project start-up is February 2008. Therefore, the Expenditure and Participant Plan (SFP Form 6) allows for 23 months of planning. If the applicant is selected for an award, adjustments to the expenditure and participant plan can be made for a full 24 months.

17. Q.  Page 4 of the CalGRIP SFP states that “youth 14-18 must be low-income, as defined in the WIA Technical Assistance Guide referenced in WIAD04-18”. Does this include a 5% “window” for non-low income youth who otherwise meet the SFP criteria?

    A.  Yes, not more than 5 percent of the total participants served may be individuals that do not meet the low-income criteria. However, they must meet one or more of the youth barriers listed in the WIA Technical Assistance Guide.

Proposal Format

1. Q.  We have encountered differences in the fonts on the CalGRIPS Proposal Narrative Form. The fonts change from Arial 12 to New Times Roman 12 throughout the document. All tool bar functions are locked and we are unable to make the format consistent. Page breaks in the document do not allow full use of some of the pages. Will changes be considered on formatting of future Proposal Narrative Forms?

   A.  The Proposal Narrative and other required forms available in Microsoft Word have been set up as a protected on-line form so that users can easily tab through the document to enter information and check boxes. To have more edit capabilities for inserting tables or formatting, the document must be unprotected. To un-protect this document in Microsoft Word, select the Tools menu and click "Unprotect Document". Please use caution when un-protecting this document as the application must be submitted in the format described in the Minimum Requirement in the SFP.

Use of Funds

1. Q.  Referring to Appendix C §5.B, must bidders competitively procure subcontracted partners listed in the proposal? If so, what is the threshold that triggers the full competitive procurement requirement?

   A.  If a collaborating partner is a co-applicant in the grant, they do not need to go through a procurement process. If an entity is not a co-applicant collaborating partner, then they would be considered a sub-contractor and would need to go through a procurement process.

2. Q.  Could this funding be used for on-the-job training for eligible youth to be tutors and mentors for younger children in an after school program?

   A.  Yes, on-the-job training is an allowable WIA activity.

3. Q.  The general instructions state: “For the purposes of this SFP, match may include WIA or non-WIA funds made available to the applicant to be used specifically for the project activities”. Does this mean we can use WIA funds from a previous EDD grant award if the use of these funds are justifiable and to be used specifically for project activities in this new CalGRIP proposal? If so, can you give an example of what would be allowable use of these funds?

   A.  Previous WIA awards granted by EDD may have a very specific purpose, with goals and objectives that are different then the CalGRIP SFP. However, if you can demonstrate that the grant is compatible with the CalGRIP SFP and you can document through a commitment letter that the funds will be specifically used for this project, these funds would be appropriate match. The use of match funds would include any WIA allowable activity in support of the project.

4. Q.  Can wages for paid work experience be paid out of the CalGRIP grant?

   A.  Yes, WIA regulations 664.470 state that WIA funds may be used to pay wages and related benefits for work experiences in the public, private, for-profit or non profit sectors where the objective assessment and individual service strategy indicated that work experiences are appropriate.

5. Q.  Can incentives be paid out of the CalGRIP grant?

   A.  Yes, incentive payments 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 policy limiting or disallowing such payments.

6. Q.  The age criteria for the CalGRIP SFP is 14-24, can a contractor use WIA formula youth funds to serve the 22 to 24 year olds in this grant?

   A.  No, WIA formula youth funds have age requirements, 14 to 21, predicated by law that cannot be waived.

7. Q.  Page 8 of the CalGRIP SFP states that “match may include WIA or non-WIA funds made available to the applicant to be used specifically for project activities”. Can formula-allocated WIA funds be used as match for this SFP?

   A.  Yes, formula-allocated WIA funds may be used as match as long as there is a letter of commitment specifically allocating the funds to this particular project.