Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Program

Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) programs will be funded through the same RFP process described in Question 1 (b) above. An IELCE component of the Adult Basic Education Services RFP will be issued for the provision of services described under Section 243. Funding for this component will be based on the annual allocation to the state. The application will focus on providing services that prepare adult who are English language learners for, and place such adults in, unsubsidized employment in the DWDB’s listing of in-demand industries and occupations that lead to economic self—sufficiency. Funded programs must also provide services to students that integrate with the state’s workforce development system and its functions as prescribed by WIOA legislation. While there is no exhaustive eligible provider criteria, providers applying for this funding can include but are not limited to: (1) local educational agencies; (2) community based organizations; (3) faith based organizations; (4) volunteer literacy organizations; (5) institutions of higher education; (6) public or private nonprofit organizations; (7) libraries; (8) public housing authorities; (9) a nonprofit institution not previously described; (10) consortiums or coalitions of agencies, organizations, libraries, institutions; or (11) an employer and entity previous described. Eligible providers must commit to following all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding the provision of educational services within Delaware. Funding for these services will be made available through the “Request for Proposal” process as mandated by the Delaware Office of Management and Budget. Any eligible provider can apply for grant funding in alignment with Section 243 of WIOA through the Adult Basic Education Services RFP process. The RFP application package containing the IELCE funding opportunity will be available on two publically accessible websites: the Delaware Solicitation Bid Directory and the Department of Education Bid Solicitation Directory. The application package will include all information necessary for receiving funding from the Department of Education, required forms, assurances, and a narrative section containing questions that applicants must answer. Dates for posting and answering questions, a pre-bid meeting, and submission deadlines will be included in the application package. A rubric for scoring each component of the proposal will be included in the package. Each application will be evaluated by a team of reviewers consisting of representatives from the Workforce Development Board, DOE Adult and Prison Education Workgroup and community stakeholders. Based on the team’s evaluations, an average score for each application will be determined. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to those applications garnering acceptable scores and offering to provide services in high need areas. Programs receiving funding will be announced to ensure transparency. DDOE will determine the service areas where the highest need exists based on the number of individuals with English language acquisition needs according to American Community Survey/US Census data. In addition to Title II information, data from the Delaware Workforce Development Board’s Strategic Plan and DOL—DET job market information will be referenced in the RFP application. Funding will be available on a multi—year cycle with a continuing grant application due annually. The application will give programs the opportunity to report on their effectiveness, successful interventions and areas where technical assistance is needed. It will also provide a mechanism to propose programmatic innovations. Progress of students involved in IELCE programs will be shared with the Workforce Development Board throughout the year. Based on individual program performance, technical assistance will be offered to those programs not meeting performance targets. Programs exhibiting a consistent inability to meet performance targets after receiving technical assistance will have their funding reduced or eliminated. If a systemic barrier to meeting performance outcomes is discovered, statewide training will be conducted to help all programs meet targets. Information Requested Through the RFP Within the RFP application, each applicant will address how it proposes to prepare English Language Learners for unsubsidized employment in in—demand industries and occupations that lead to economic self—sufficiency and how services will support the state’s Workforce Development Board’s strategic plan and workforce development. All respondents will have to provide information on their capacity to deliver the required services, including but not limited to the following information: 1. Valid and reliable data reflecting past effectiveness in delivering literacy and workforce skills to English Language Learners; 2. How the program will support the Delaware Workforce Development Board’s strategic plan while preparing participants for the entry into or promotion within the workplace and/or postsecondary education and/or training options; 3. How the program will work with local One Stops to align activities and integrate services to support job—ready adult learners; 4. How the program will offer a flexible schedule of service provision that will support successful completion of studies; 5. How the program will incorporate accelerated instruction and use of technology for academic instruction for learners who can benefit from these options; 6. How the program will provide reading, writing and mathematics instruction that is based on best practices, current scientifically valid research and effective educational practice geared to adult learners; 7. How the program will engage participants in knowing and exercising their rights and responsibilities as citizens; 8. How the program will promote concurrent enrollment with enrollment in programs and activities under Title I, as appropriate; 9. How the program will ensure that staff meet DDOE Adult Education certification requirements; 10. How the program will deliver high quality professional development focused on program delivery and improvement to staff; 11. How the program will coordinate with other entities including WIOA partners, postsecondary education and training entities, one—stop centers, community based organizations, nonprofit organizations for the development of career pathways; 12. How the program will coordinate with other entities to support supplemental services needed by participants to successful complete their studies; 13. The program’s history in maintaining a high quality information management system that can report measurable participant outcomes and monitor program progress; 14. Valid data that the services will be provided in locations accessible to the targeted populations. 15. How the program will meet the State adjusted levels of performance and how data will be collected to report on performance indicators; 16. How the program will coordinate with other entities including the Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, to support individuals with disabilities in the completion of their goals; 17. A budget detailing funding requested for the implementation of the program; 18. Other state requirements as appropriate.