2010-2011 Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Corrections and Institutions (C & I) Continuation Grant Application

1. 2010-2011Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Corrections and Institutions (C & I)Continuation Grant Application

2. Overview • Program Authority: Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), Title II, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) • Funding Source: Federal Funds • (contingent upon the availability of funds from the U. S. Department of Education) • Approximate 4.9% increase in instructional funds from FY 2009-2010 • Grant Length: July 1, 2010 – December 31, 2011 (18 months) • Due Date: May 10, 2010 • Award Notification: July 2010

3. Purpose • In accordance with the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act of 1998 (AEFLA), Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the purpose of this funding opportunity is to assist eligible applicants in developing partnerships to provide services that focus on two outcomes. • Assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education • Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for entering and/or retaining employment, entering into post-secondary education and training, and attaining self-sufficiency

4. Eligibility • Eligible applicants consist of all existing local and regional adult education programs that submitted a five-year plan in 1999 under the requirements of Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

5. What’s New for 2010-2011? • Program plan • Needs statement • Program design • Capacity and commitment • Budget narrative

6. What’s New for 2010-2011? cont’d Needs Statement Eligible applicants must describe the current adult population needing services in their area. Data must be cited and originate from sources published 2005 or later.

7. What’s New for 2010-2011?cont’d Program Design • A description of services currently provided • A description of the services to be provided and matched to need • Measurable goals and objectives that address program improvement or changes in services • A description of the assessment(s) administered in compliance with Assessment Policy for Virginia’s Adult Education and Literacy Programs • A description of the integration of technology in instruction

8. What’s New for 2010-2011?cont’d Capacity and Commitment • A history of program enrollment and performance • A description of qualified staff • A description of connections to the community that will enhance ability to deliver services

9. Why the Changes? • Assess need • Provide a description of services provided • Identify workforce and community collaborations • Progress toward development of new plan • Preparation for WIA reauthorization

10. Grant Writing Resources • Available at: http://www.valrc.org/content/grant/ • Facts and Statistics – links and demonstrations • Grant Writing Tips • Online Resources • VALRC will host a grant writing workshop in Richmond on April 28, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the training schedule at http://www.valrc.org/trainings/.

11. Priorities* • OAEL continues to work diligently on the Race to GED® initiative as a partner in the development of a stronger workforce in Virginia. • Priorities also remain focused on increasing the number of adults completing a secondary school credential, entering postsecondary education and training, and entering/retaining employment. * Program performance targets are included in the application. Proposed state performance targets are available on the OAEL Web site at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/adulted/literacy/index.shtml.

12. Priorities – cont’d* • Additionally, OAEL strongly encourages activities that will contribute to the following priorities. • Establishment or improvement of relationships with local workforce investment boards (WIBs) and one stop workforce centers • Establishment or improvement of partnerships that create greater opportunities for students to transition to postsecondary education and training programs • Innovations in bridging the gap between English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and ABE programs • Development and implementation of distance education programs * Program performance targets are included in the application. Proposed state performance targets are available on the OAEL Web site at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/adulted/literacy/index.shtml.

13. Activities - Approved • Pursuant to Section VI.B.5 of the Operational Guidance Manual for Virginia Adult Education and Literacy Programs, services must be comprehensive and accessible to learners, as identified through local needs assessments and evaluations. Grant recipients shall provide instructional activities in the following approved areas. • Adult Basic Education (ABE) • Adult Secondary Education (ASE) and GED Preparation • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

14. Activities - Optional • Pursuant to Section VI.B.5 of the Operational Guidance Manual for Virginia Adult Education and Literacy Programs, grant recipients may provide services in one or more optional activity areas listed below. Services must be comprehensive and accessible to learners, as identified through local needs assessments and evaluations. • Corrections and Institutions (C&I)* • Family Literacy* *Expenditure caps are placed on optional activities.

15. Applicable Policies • Assessment and Goal-Setting Policies: Pursuant to Section VI.A.9 of the Operational Guidance Manual for Virginia Adult Education and Literacy Programs, grant recipients must conduct activities in accordance with the policies outlined in the Assessment Policy for Virginia Adult Education and Literacy Programs andthe Goal-Setting Policy for Virginia Adult Education and Literacy Programs, effective September 1, 2007, and all subsequent updates or addenda to these policies. • Universal Student Profile Document (USPD): Pursuant to Section VI.B.6 of the Operational Guidance Manual for Virginia Adult Education and Literacy Programs, all grant recipients must use the USPD, pages one and two, to collect and report required student demographic and goal information annually. The form may not be changed or otherwise altered. If a grant recipient chooses to collect additional information, other than what is required on the USPD, a separate page or form must be developed locally. • Both policies and the USPD are located on the OAEL Web site at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/adulted/index.shtml

16. Budget Considerations • Expenditure Minimums and Maximums • Salaries and Benefits – 50% minimum • Corrections and Institutions - 10% maximum • Family Literacy – 5% maximum • Administrative Waivers • Project Calculator • Regional Worksheets • Applicants are encouraged to submit the completed budget workbook via e-mail to OAEL@doe.virginia.gov.

17. Application Criteria • The completed application materials (four complete sets) may be mailed or hand delivered to Office of Adult Education and Literacy (OAEL). • Applicants are encouraged to submit the completed budget workbook via e-mail to OAEL@doe.virginia.gov. • After submitting the budget workbook electronically, applicants should print all required documents and send them or deliver them to the appropriate address stated in the application. • Applications must be received by OAELno laterthan 2 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT),May 10, 2010.

18. Completed Application • Application checklist • Program plan: needs statement, program design, & capacity and commitment • Programmatic amendments (if applicable) • Budget workbook, including contact information, worksheets, project calculator(s), and summary* • Budget narrative • Administrative waiver request (if applicable) • Memorandum of Agreement/Understanding – regional programs only • Assurances/Certifications – federal and state * Applicants are encouraged to submit the completed budget workbook via e-mail to OAEL@doe.virginia.gov.

19. Reporting • Pursuant to Section VI.A.8 and VI.A.10 of the Operational Guidance Manual for Virginia Adult Education and Literacy Programs, grant recipients must use VDOE’s Web-based data system. • Required NRS data must be entered no later than the 20th day of each month beginning July 1, 2010. • All fiscal year NRS data for 2010-2011 must be completed by August 1, 2011. • Required monthly data include, but are not limited to the following. • Staff information • Class information • Student demographic information • Student assessment information • Student goal information • Student attendance

20. Inquiries • Programmatic Processes: please contact Jim André, specialist, via e-mail at James.Andre@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 371-7852. • Financial Management: please contact Cynthia Finley, grants manager, via e-mail at Cynthia.Finley@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 225-2850.