REGION Q Request for Proposals Bidders’ Conference

1. REGION QRequest for ProposalsBidders’ Conference Workforce Investment Act WIA-INNOVATIVE YOUTH PROGRAM Program Year 2010

2. Agenda • Welcome & Purpose • Region Q Websites • Overview of Request for Proposal • Performance Standards • Financial Information • Important Dates • Questions and Answers

3. Region Q Websites www.regionqwdb.org www.regionqyouthatwork.org

4. Overview of RFP • Funding Period • December 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011 • Possible Extension of Contract - 1 Year • (Pending satisfactory performance & availability of funding) 5 County Region BEAUFORT BERTIE HERTFORD MARTIN PITT

5. PURPOSE OF RFP • The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit competitive proposals for new and innovative program designs to serve eligible youth as specified under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I Youth Services in one or more of the following counties of the Region Q Workforce Development Consortium: Beaufort, Bertie, Martin, Hertford and Pitt Counties. Any governmental, educational, community-based organization or non-profit agency engaged in public service; or any private-for-profit agency may apply. Each entity proposing to provide the employment and training services as prescribed by this RFP, must do so as an individual company or agency, and be prepared to either provide the services directly or establish an agreement with the appropriate provider(s) of the services.

6. PURPOSE OF RFP Program awards will not replace existing WIA Youth Programs, but will operate independently and separately from current youth programs. Bidders should direct services to new youth not currently enrolled in WIA. Our current Youth Program providers will continue program operations.

7. PURPOSE OF RFP • Proposals are being solicited for services for eligible In-School and/or Out-of-School Youth. WIA requires that a minimum of 30 percent of a local area’s WIA youth funds be allocated to out-of-school youth programs. However, the Region Q Workforce Development Consortium is placing additional emphasis on Out-of-School youth and requires that a minimum of 50 percent of the WIA youth funds be spent on out-of-school youth. Successful bidders will be responsible for ensuring that all WIA Youth core services are provided to every WIA-enrolled youth and that all ten of the WIA youth program elements are accessible to all enrolled youth as needed, when needed.

8. PURPOSE OF RFP • While eligibility as well as program content and elements apply to both in-school and out-of-school youth, WIA creates distinctions between these two populations by creating separate funding streams, as well as by differentiating in-school versus out-of-school program design. Therefore bidders must be aware of the relationships between ages, funding streams, outcomes, and in-school versus out-of-school program design when describing comprehensive system program vision.

9. ONE-STOP DELIVERY SYSTEM • Workforce Investment Act Interim Final Rules were published by the US Department of Labor in the August 11, 2000 Federal Register and are available on the internet at: http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/. On the right side of the page, review the column and locate “Laws and Regs.” Clicking on Laws and Regs will take the viewer to Workforce Investment Act Interim Final Rules. • The WDB, in partnership with the workforce development agencies, has developed a system of comprehensive JobLink Career Centers in the five-county region. The system design currently includes five (5) full-service JobLink Career Centers and 3 JobLink Information Sites. Bidders are expected to use the applicable JobLink Center as a referral source for youth services.

10. IN-SCHOOL YOUTH IN-SCHOOL YOUTH (ISY) The Workforce Investment Act defines an in-school youth (ISY) as a young person who • has not received a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent (GED) and • is attending school (including alternative secondary school) at the time of WIA registration.

11. OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH Out-Of-School Youth (OSY)\ The Workforce Investment Act defines an out-of-school youth (OSY) as a young person who: • Is a school dropout, or • Has a high-school diploma or GED, but is basic-skills deficient, unemployed or underemployed.

12. YOUNGER YOUTH YOUNGER YOUTH AGE 16-18 YEARS OF AGE

13. OLDER YOUTH OLDER YOUTH AGE 19 – 21 YEARS OF AGE

14. Outreach, Recruitment and Orientation Eligibility Determination and Registration Objective Assessment Individual Employment Plan (IEP) Case Management Referral Required Core Services Pages 6-7

15. COLLABORATION –PAGE 7 Employer Connections The Region Q Workforce Development Consortium seeks an increase in career development experiences that demonstrate meaningful employer involvement. Many youth programs have built connections to a wide range of local employers. Youth are placed in subsidized summer jobs or internships with area businesses and community based organizations, while other employers participate as job-shadow hosts and mentors for young people. However, few initiatives exist to engage specific employers in comprehensive youth-serving partnerships – i.e. partnerships that use employer resources to support youth as they explore or progress upon a career pathway. Bidders should include innovative, sustainable employer partnerships in their WIA Youth program implementation plan. These connections must lead to increased youth placements in employment and post secondary education as well as meaningful exposure to the world of work with measurable skill gains. These experiences must be increasingly challenging over the course of a given youth’s participation and be linked to recognized career pathways.

16. COLLABORATION – PAGE 7 Target Diverse Population of Youth when Designing Programs Examples may include, but not be limited to, the following: a blend of in-school and out-of-school youth working together on common projects and experiences; older youth mentoring younger youth within a given program; a racially and ethnically diverse group of youth participating in a learning center; disabled youth working together with non-disabled peers. Diversity enriches programming, youth experience, and encourages peer development, understanding, and mutual awareness and respect.

17. COLLABORATION – PAGE 7 Leveraged Funding and Service Coordination Bidders will leverage community resources to create a seamless network of services that are easily accessible and relevant to youth. To have a meaningful impact on the quality and breadth of the youth services system, Bidders must be able to draw upon a resource base that extends beyond WIA funding. Bidders should describe connections to other funding sources that will benefit participants and increase the cost effectiveness of federal funds.

18. COLLABORATION – PAGE 7 Collaboration and Partnerships Proposals are sought that demonstrates how partnership and community involvement will be used to meet the WIA youth program goals. Involving the local community means developing real partnerships among local schools, community college level, community based and faith based organizations, private sector employers and members of the community. Bidders are encouraged to leverage resources from partnerships and use them in development and implementation of the program. Key to providing comprehensive and improved services to more young people is the ability to leverage and coordinate a wide range of funding and community resources to provide quality youth opportunities. Collaboration and leveraging partnerships can meet service gaps, reach more young people, and use resources more efficiently.

19. COLLABORATION – PAGE 7 Skill Development Successful proposals will clearly emphasize the development of skills, knowledge and competencies that prepare youth for jobs and careers. Proposals should strongly link academic and occupational learning. Key strategies the Youth Committee is looking for in this area are linkages to apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, occupational skills training, OJT (On-the-Job) Training, employers, transitional services and attainment of academic credit and credentials, which include work readiness certificates that lead to employment.

20. Ten WIA Required Elements Pages 11-15 • Tutoring • Alternative Secondary School Offerings • Summer Employment Opportunities • Paid and Unpaid Work Experiences • Occupational Skills Training • Leadership Development Opportunities • Supportive Services • Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling • Adult Mentoring • Follow-up Services

21. Performance Measures • COMMON PERFORMANCE MEASURES • Placement in Employment or Education • Attainment of a Degree or Certificate • Literacy and Numeracy Gains

22. Region Q Workforce Investment ConsortiumProgram Years 2010 Youth Program Performance Goals

23. Region Q Youth Enrollment ReportJuly 1, 2010 – August 23, 2010

24. Financial Information • Cost Reimbursement Contract • Monthly Reports • Budgets (In School &Out of School)

25. Youth PY 2010Total Program Allocation(Includes Initial Program Award and Carryover) WIA Youth Program Beaufort $151,573 Bertie $165,376 Hertford $151,876 Martin $145,571 Pitt $153,371

26. Proposal Instructions Submit proposals no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on September 30, 2010 to the Region Q Local Area Office. www.time.gov -EST Proposals must include: Page Numbers (1) One copy labeled “Original” (6) Six additional copies of RFP Submitted in 3-ring binder Completion of all forms Proposal Format and Required Forms in Order

27. Proposal Format & Required Forms • WIA RESPONSE PACKAGE COVER SHEET - Complete the information and indicate the type of activities proposed and funds requested, counties, and number of participants to be served, performance outcomes, and budget. The Response Package Cover Sheet Page must be completed entirely and Notarized. (Pages 28-29) • PROGRAM – PROPOSAL NARRATIVE RESPONSE SECTION– This portion of the bid should give reviewers a detailed and clear picture of the design of the program, the anticipated outcomes, and the capability of the offeror to deliver the proposed services. Proposers should follow the alphabetical and numerical sequence of the attached format. If a section does not apply, write “N/A” or “Does not apply” by the respective section. Responses to questions should be typed under each question. and follow the alphabetical and numerical sequence. (Pages 30-32) • PROGAM AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SECTION – (Pages 33-37) • BUDGET – Complete the Budget Summary and supporting worksheets for all costs required to implement the program design. If there is no answer, please indicate N/A or zero (0). • JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND RESUMES – A Job Description – Workforce Investment Act form must be completed for each position funded by WIA Youth Funds. (Page 38)

28. Proposal Format & Required Forms ASSURANCES & CERTIFICATION • EQUAL OPPORTUNITY NON-DISCRIMINATION (Complete form) (Page 40) • LA CODE OF CONDUCT/CONFLICT OF INTEREST - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. This form has to be completed by all WIA funded staff and submitted to the Local Area. (Pages 41-42) • LA GENERAL ASSURANCES & CERTIFICATION FORM - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. Notary Required. (Pages 43-45) • CERTIFICATE REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, INELIGIBILITY AND VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION LOWER TIER COVERED TRANSACTIONS - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. (Page 46-47) • STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE FORM - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. Notary required. (Page 48) • DRUG FREE CERTIFICATION - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. (Page 49) • ASSURANCES NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. (Pages 66-67) • COPELAND ACT CERTIFICATION - Requires signature of authorized representative & date. (Page 50)

29. Proposal Format & Required Forms • OTHER – ATTACH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: • Federal ID Number • Financial Statement and Copy of last audit • Agency Grievance Procedures • Copy of Bond Coverage (or explanation of planned coverage if an award is made) • Current Organization Chart • Charter and Bylaws of Organization, attach list of Current Board Members • Cost Allocation Plan (if applicable, provide a copy of the agency Indirect Cost Plan) • Letter of agreement from the JobLink Center Manager indicating coordinated services and physical space commitments .

30. Mark Your Calendars Proposals Due Thursday, September 30, 2010 by 4:00 p.m. EST Proposals will not be accepted after 4:00 pm., on Thursday, September 30, 2010. • www.time.gov - EST • Contract Awards: November 10, 2010 • Program Starts: December 1, 2010

31. REMEMBER……. AFTER THE BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE, STAFF WILL NOT RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS ASKED IN WRITING, PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE!

32. QUESTIONS ANDANSWERS

33. REGION Q WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM Region Q Workforce Investment Consortium is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities