[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 173 (Friday, September 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51850-51859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20570]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant
Applications (SGA) for Prisoner Re-entry Initiative Grants
Announcement Type: Notice for Solicitation for Grant Applications.
Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA PY-08-03.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.261.
Key Dates: The closing date for receipt of applications under this
announcement is (OGCM will insert; approximately 60 days). Applications
must be received no later than 4 p.m. (Eastern Time). Application and
Submission information is explained in detail in Section IV of this
SGA.
SUMMARY: The President's Prisoner Re-entry Initiative (PRI) seeks to
strengthen urban communities characterized by large numbers of
returning prisoners through an employment-centered program that
incorporates mentoring, job training, and other comprehensive
transitional services. This program is a joint effort of the Department
of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Labor (DOL) designed to reduce
recidivism by helping inmates find work when they return to their
communities, as part of an effort to build a life in the community for
everyone. This spring, DOJ awarded PRI grants to 19 State correctional
agencies to provide pre-release services to prisoners returning to one
targeted county within the State. Under this solicitation, DOL will be
awarding grants to faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) to
provide post-release services primarily to the prisoners provided pre-
release services under the DOJ grant in urban communities within the
target counties. This competition is limited to FBCOs operating within
the target county(ies) identified in each DOJ grant. The following is
the list of target counties that received a DOJ PRI grant this spring:
1. Jefferson County, AL
2. Maricopa County, AZ
3. Los Angeles County, CA
4. Denver County, CO
5. Fairfield County, CT
6. New Castle County, DE
7. Cook County, IL
8. Allen County, IN
9. Caddo and Bossier Parishes, LA *
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\*\ In this instance, the urban area stretches further than one
county so applicants operating in one or both counties are
permissible.
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10. Baltimore County, MD
11. Genessee County, MI
12. Greene County, MO
13. Clarke County, NV
14. Mercer County, NJ
15. Erie County, NY
16. Tulsa County, OK
17. Philadelphia County, PA
18. Davidson County, TN
19. Milwaukee, WI
DOL expects that each of the 19 awardees will serve at least 100
returning prisoners during the first year of this initiative. FBCOs
applying for these grants will identify as part of their application
the need in the community that they plan to serve; their plan for
serving released prisoners; and their partnerships with the criminal
justice system, local Workforce Investment Board, housing authority,
and mental health and substance abuse treatment providers.
ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be addressed to the U.S. Department
of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal
Assistance, Attention: Jeannette Flowers, Reference SGA/DFA PY 08-03,
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-4716, Washington, DC 20210.
Telefacsimile (FAX) applications will not be accepted. Information
about applying online can be found in Section IV (C) of this document.
Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington area may be
delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand delivered
proposals will be received at the above address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 51851]]
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Background
Each year approximately 650,000 inmates are released from State and
Federal prisons and return to their communities and families. Without
help, a majority of ex-prisoners do in fact return to criminal
activity. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, almost three out
of five returning inmates will be charged with new crimes within 3
years of their release from prison and two out of five will be re-
incarcerated.
Released prisoners face a myriad of challenges that contribute to a
return to criminal activity, re-arrest, and re-incarceration.
Joblessness among ex-prisoners has been broadly linked to recidivism
rates. Statistics demonstrate that even before incarceration, adult
prisoners demonstrate weak or non-existent ties to the workforce. Data
from 1997 show that nearly one-third of adult prisoners were unemployed
in the month before their arrest, compared to seven percent
unemployment in the general population.\1\ Post-incarceration,
employment rates only get worse--unemployment among ex-prisoners has
been estimated at between 25 and 40 percent. Likewise, prisoners also
demonstrate low levels of educational attainment. Nineteen percent of
adult State prisoners are completely illiterate and 40 percent are
functionally illiterate; \2\ over half of State parole entrants were
not high school graduates and as many as eleven percent had only an
eighth grade education or less.\3\ Additionally, the high economic cost
of incarceration and the loss of large numbers of potential workers in
some cities and regions across the U.S. threatens our nation's global
competitiveness and in some cities and regions across America, it
represents a real disincentive for business investment.
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\1\ Petersilia, 2002. When Prisoners Come Home: Parole and
Prisoner Reentry.
\2\ Rubinstien, 2001 as quoted in Petersilia, 2002.
\3\ Petersilia, 2002.
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Research has also broadly documented the substance abuse and mental
health issues of ex-prisoners--factors that are likely to contribute to
poor education levels, un-employability, and a return to criminal
activity. A study of parolees from State prisons in 1999 found that 84
percent had been using an illegal drug or abusing alcohol at the time
of their offense. One-quarter had been alcohol dependent and one-
quarter had been IV drug users. Fourteen percent had a mental illness
and twelve percent were homeless at the time of their arrest. In some
States, nearly one-quarter of parole revocations were related to drug-
related violations.\4\ Estimates of mental illness among the prison
population vary. One study found that sixteen percent of State prison
and local jail inmates had a mental illness as did seven percent of
Federal prisoners. Among detainees with a mental disorder, 72 percent
also had a substance abuse disorder.\5\ In a survey of prisoners, one-
fourth of male adults and more than one-third of female adults reported
having been treated at some time for a mental or emotional problem.\6\
Only one-third of adult male detainees and one-fourth of females who
needed services for severe mental disorders received treatment in
jail.\7\
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\4\ Hughes, T.A., Wilson, D.J., and Belk, A.J., 2001, Trends in
State Parole, 1990-2000. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Special
Report, NCJ 184735.
\5\ Ditton, P.M., 1999, Mental Health and Treatment of Inmates
and Probationers, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.
\6\ Harlow, C.W., 1998, Profile of Jail Inmates, 1996, Bureau of
Justice Statistics Special Report, Washington, DC: U.S. Department
of Justice, NCJ164620.
\7\ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
2002, Report to Congress on the Prevention and Treatment of Co-
occurring Substance Abuse Disorders and Mental Disorders.
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In returning to criminal activity, ex-prisoners contribute to the
presence of violence and crime in already struggling neighborhoods and
reduce their chances of living healthy and positive lives and
strengthening their families. Research indicates that parental loss is
related to a host of poor outcomes for children that include poverty,
drug abuse, educational failure, criminal behavior, and premature
death. Healthy and consistent relationships between parents and
children strengthen the community by positively impacting both parent
and child generations. Ex-offenders who maintain strong family and
community ties have greater success in reintegrating into the community
and avoiding incarceration.\8\
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\8\ Hairston, 1991; Muston, 1994; Nelson, 1999.
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In order to successfully reintegrate into the community it is
essential that ex-offenders possess the skills and support necessary to
enter and compete in the workforce. The Prisoner Re-entry Initiative is
designed to draw on the unique strengths of faith-based and community-
based organizations and to rely on them as a primary partner for social
service delivery to ex-prisoners by providing a direct link into the
communities to which the ex-prisoners are returning. It also seeks to
coordinate the provision of these services with supervision of these
released prisoners to ensure they are held accountable for their
behavior upon release.
Community-based partners are well suited for this work because they
can provide the resources and infrastructure that are necessary to
intervene in the lives of returnees and interrupt cycles of crime and
incarceration. This grant will rely heavily on FBCOs to develop
relationships and ensure connections to rehabilitation services for the
formerly incarcerated.
In addition, FBCOs will be utilized in this grant because evidence
indicates that faith-based and community institutions are among the
strongest, most trusted institutions in the urban neighborhoods to
which the majority of released inmates will return. Local faith-based
and community institutions are a significant presence, with many
resources at their command--including buildings, volunteers, and a
tradition of outreach and service.\9\ Churches, mosques, temples, and
community centers are especially significant in poor urban areas where
FBCOs have historically had a strong presence. The additional trust
that many FBCOs have earned outside urban centers is invaluable, since
collaboration and communication with public, private and nonprofit
providers and policymakers are essential to helping those in resource-
poor neighborhoods.
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\9\ Branch, 2002. Faith and Action: Implementation of the
National Faith-Based Initiative for High-Risk Youth, Public/Private
Ventures.
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Many FBCOs also possess a proven ability to work collaboratively
with other service providers and justice agencies for the delivery of
social services. This is an invaluable asset as the FBCOs that operate
in poor urban neighborhoods are typically small and have limited
financial resources. For them to effectively ensure connections to job
training and social services, it is critical that they build
collaborations with other public and private organizations.
A substantial number of inner-city faith-based and community
organizations already have re-entry programs, including 30 Generation 1
PRI Grantees awarded in 2005 and 23 Generation 2 PRI Grantees just
awarded this spring. This set of Generation 3 PRI Grantees will serve
to further expand the number of such reentry programs in the country.
B. Objectives
The Prisoner Re-entry Initiative is designed to strengthen urban
communities through an employment-centered program that incorporates
mentoring, job training, and other
[[Page 51852]]
comprehensive transitional services. This program seeks to reduce
recidivism by helping inmates find work when they return to their
communities, keep those jobs and increase their earnings over time. In
the local areas served through this initiative, FBCOs will provide
comprehensive and coordinated services to ex-offenders in the following
four areas:
Employment: Employment is a critical stabilizing factor
for ex-offenders and this initiative will stress job placement, job
retention, and increasing the earnings potential of released prisoners.
FBCOs will offer job training and job placement services in
coordination with business, local One-Stop Centers, educational
institutions, and other employment providers. Partnering faith-based
and community organizations will provide each program participant with
work-readiness, soft skills training, mentoring, job placement or
referral for job placement, and follow-up services to increase job
retention.
Vocational Training and Educational Services: Educational
attainment is increasingly critical in the global economy. A vast
majority of jobs now require more than a high school diploma. FBCOs
should conduct assessments and work with participants to create
individual development plans to connect participants to continuing
education services (either toward the attainment of a high school
diploma or GED or toward the attainment of an Associate's or Bachelor's
degree), based on the participant's needs and interests, by partnering
with adult education agencies, community colleges and other education
providers. As well, FBCOs should partner to offer opportunities for
advanced vocational training with the goal of industry-recognized
certifications, particularly in high-growth, high-demand fields in the
local economy.
Mentoring: Mentoring is a key element of re-entry support.
Previous research and programming have demonstrated the benefits of
mentoring in reducing recidivism and supporting returning offenders.
FBCOs will provide post-release mentoring and other services essential
to reintegrating ex-offenders in coordination with the corrections,
parole, and probation structure. Participating adult ex-offenders will
be matched with appropriate mentors who will be primarily responsible
for supporting the returnee in the community and the workplace. Mentors
will offer support, guidance, and assistance with the many challenges
faced by ex-offenders. For the purposes of the Prisoner Re-entry
Initiative, mentoring is defined as a relationship over a prolonged
period of time between two or more people where caring volunteer
mentors assist ex-prisoners in successfully and permanently reentering
their communities by providing consistent support as needed, guidance,
and encouragement that impacts PRI participants in developing positive
social relationships and achieving program outcomes such as job
retention, family reunification, reduced recidivism, etc.
Referral to Necessary Supportive Services: While funds
provided under this grant must not be used to provide housing, health
care, or alcohol or substance abuse treatment, DOL expects that
grantees will develop partnerships with the necessary social services
agencies within their communities so as to be able to refer released
prisoners to these necessary services. In particular, grantees should
be connecting with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) through the
local workforce system's Local Veterans' Employment Representative
(LVER) and Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) to serve
participants who are veterans. These partnerships should enable service
providers to increase the number of successful outcomes at minimal
expense since eligible veterans receive a plethora of services
including housing, medical, and substance abuse treatment through a
Nationwide network of services. Further, the DVA has programs for
incarcerated veterans through their Regional offices that may prove
invaluable during the marketing of said program since veterans are a
known commodity.
C. Design and Structure of the Initiative
What Is the Overall Structure of This Initiative?
This spring, DOJ awarded PRI grants to 19 State criminal justice
and other State agencies to provide pre-release services to prisoners
returning to one targeted county within the State. Under this
solicitation, DOL will be awarding grants to faith-based and community
organizations (FBCOs) to provide post-release services to the prisoners
provided pre-release services under the DOJ grant in urban communities
within the county(ies) targeted by DOJ. DOL will make one award in each
of the targeted counties named in the DOJ awards. This competition is
limited to FBCOs operating within the target county(ies) identified in
each DOJ grant. The list of these target counties can be found in the
``Summary'' at the beginning of this solicitation. DOL expects to serve
2,000 released prisoners during each year of this initiative. As well,
the DOJ grants include a requirement of a 30 percent sub-award to a
local FBCO in the targeted county. This sub-award may or may not go to
the FBCO awarded under DOL's solicitation.
To apply for these grants, FBCOs must identify an urban community
within the targeted county(ies) and describe the need for this Federal
support in that community and their plan for providing services to
released prisoners. They must also demonstrate that they have
established partnerships with the criminal justice system, local
Workforce Investment Board, and the local housing authority. They must
also identify their plan to leverage other Federal, State, or local
resources, as well as private sector resources, to provide other
support services that are not directly funded through this initiative
such as substance abuse and mental health treatment.
Given that DOL plans to award grants to 19 FBCOs in the counties
that are the focus of the recently awarded DOJ grants, FBCOs in one
county will not be competing against FBCOs in another county. Rather,
DOL expects that more than one FBCO will be applying for a grant in
each of the target county areas within the 19 DOJ-awarded States, so
that FBCOs will be competing against other FBCOs in their same
county(ies). If only one organization applies within a county, a review
panel will assess that application and a technical acceptability
determination will be made. If determined to be technically
unacceptable, DOL reserves the right to not make an award within that
county.
Who Will Be the Grant Recipients Under This Initiative?
The recipients of the DOL grants will be faith-based and community
organizations that are located in or have a pre-existing staff presence
in an urban community within the target county(ies) being served.
How Large a Grant Should I Apply for?
FBCOs should apply for a grant of $300,000 to cover their first
year of operations. Funds will be awarded under this initiative through
grants for an initial period of 1 year, with up to two additional years
of funding depending on the availability of funds and demonstrated
performance. If funding is available beyond the first 3 years,
additional years of performance may be awarded through a competitive
reevaluation based on satisfactory performance and/or other factors.
The level of funding for additional years of operation may be greater
or less than the
[[Page 51853]]
initial award amount depending on the availability of funds.
What Is the Target Group To Be Served Under These Grants?
Generally, grantees should plan to serve individuals 18 years old
and older who have been convicted as an adult and imprisoned pursuant
to an Act of Congress or a State law, and who have never been convicted
of a sex-related offense other than prostitution who have been referred
to the FBCO from the DOJ State criminal justice agency grantee.
Additional information on eligible participants is provided in Section
III(A). It is expected that participants referred from DOJ grantees'
pre-release programs will have been assessed for risk based on a
validated tool and that participants recruited directly from the local
community, beyond those they accept from the DOJ grantee referrals,
would only be eligible if they did not have a violent presenting or
past offense or any sex-related offenses.
What Are Allowable Uses of Grant Funds?
DOL grant funds can be used to provide a variety of services to
returning prisoners, including workforce development services,
education and vocational training, job training, on-the-job training,
work experience, basic skills remediation, counseling and case
management, mentoring, and other reentry services. DOL grant funds may
also be used for up to 3 months of pre-release services, including
orientation, developing post-release plans, building relationships
between project staff and prisoners, assisting prisoners to obtain
documents necessary for employment upon release, and other activities
necessary to establishing program connections with prisoners prior to
their release. These funds can also be used to provide incentives to
participants for participating in the program and up to 1.5 percent of
DOL grant funds may be used to provide needs-based payments to
participants, though FBCOs must have a standard and consistent policy
in place as to how incentives and needs-based payments are provided to
participants.
Will There Be a Planning Period After Grant Award?
FBCOs will be allowed up to 4 months of their first year of
operations to put into place their various local partnerships and to
hire additional staff, if necessary. The probability of continuation of
grants beyond the first year will be greatly reduced for those grantees
that do not begin providing services by the end of the first 4 months.
How Will Success Be Measured Under These Grants?
Grantees will be held to nationally established performance goals.
Four outcome measures will be used to measure success in these grants:
entered employment rate, employment retention rate, average earnings,
and recidivism rate. In addition, grantees will report on a number of
leading indicators that will serve as predictors of success. Leading
indicators will include: enrollment rate; percentage of enrollees
participating in mentoring; participation in education, training, and
workforce preparation; attainment of degrees and certificates; reduced
substance abuse; proportion of enrollees in stable housing; and
proportion of enrollees complying with parole conditions. In applying
for these grants, FBCOs agree to use DOL's Web-based Management
Information System (MIS) and to submit Quarterly Performance Reports
(QPRs) that contain data on enrollee characteristics, services
provided, placements, outcomes, and follow-up status.
Will There Be an Evaluation of This Initiative?
ETA will require that the program or project participate in an
evaluation of overall performance of Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative
grants. To measure the impact of the Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative
programs, ETA will arrange for or conduct an independent evaluation of
the outcomes and benefits of the projects. Applicants must agree to
fully participate in the evaluation by making records on participants,
employers and funding available, and to provide access to program
operating personnel and participants, as specified by the evaluator(s)
under the direction of ETA, including after the expiration date of the
grant.
D. Guidelines for Technical Proposal
How Should I Organize My Technical Proposal?
Organize your technical proposal to answer the questions below. The
criteria below will be used to evaluate your proposal. Points will be
deducted from applications that are not fully responsive to these
questions. The technical questions are as follows:
1. What is the need for the project in the urban community with the
target county(ies) to be served by the grant? (10 points)
Identify the urban community within the county(ies) that you
propose to serve through your grant and describe its need for this
Federal support. Demonstrate how your community can benefit from
Federal assistance due to being an urban area heavily impacted by high
numbers of returning prisoners and high rates of recidivism. Use census
tract data from the 2000 census to show the population of the
community, its poverty rate, and its unemployment rate. Use local law
enforcement data to show the crime rate and recidivism rate for the
community and how this compares with the State or county as a whole.
Use data at the neighborhood level rather than the county level in
addressing the need for your project.
Applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate
the need for Federal assistance. This will be assessed by the following
elements:
Number of returning offenders to the urban community
identified;
Rate of recidivism, relative to the target county and the
state overall; and
Unemployment and poverty levels of the community.
2. What Is the Project Design and Service Strategy? (55 points
total)
Describe the project design and service strategy for each of the
following required program components.
How Do You Plan To Increase the Employment and Education
Opportunities of Released Prisoners Who You Will Be Serving? (25
points)
Describe how you will use funds available under this grant to
increase the employment opportunities of released prisoners. Describe
how you will use assessments to identify the potential for increasing
educational attainment of participants, either through the attainment
of a GED or through post-secondary education or vocational training.
Discuss how you will provide work-readiness training, job placement,
and post-placement support. Often a condition of release is to find
employment quickly. How will you help these persons find a job soon
after their release from prison? Describe how you will work with
employers to identify and create job openings for released prisoners.
Where applicable, applicants should include letters of commitment from
employers detailing how they will train and/or hire participants of the
initiative. How will you connect participants with jobs in high-growth,
high-demand industries, particularly those most likely to hire ex-
offenders. How will you link with WIRED and other DOL-funded workforce
development projects in your area? Be sure to indicate how many direct-
service staff will be hired with these grant funds to assist released
prisoners find employment and justify the need.
[[Page 51854]]
How Will You Coordinate With Other Agencies To Obtain Housing
Services to Released Prisoners? (10 points)
Funds awarded under this initiative must not be used to provide
housing services for participants, but grantees are expected to
coordinate with agencies that provide such services. Discuss
partnerships in place to provide both transitional housing and
permanent housing to released prisoners. Applicants should include
letters of commitment detailing the partnerships in place, expected
roles of partners and how these partners will coordinate efforts to
assist this initiative. Discuss options for assisting released
prisoners who need to put a deposit on an apartment. Please note that
McKinney Vento Supportive Housing Program (SHP) transitional and
permanent housing funded through the Continuum of Care application
process cannot be used for ex-offenders.
How Will You Provide Mentoring for the Released Prisoners Who You
Will Be Serving? (10 points)
Mentoring is a key part of this initiative and we expect that you
will be able to offer mentors to each of the released prisoners who
desires these services. Discuss your plans for providing mentors to
released prisoners. Describe any experience that you have in operating
mentoring programs or how you will develop this capacity. Describe how
the mentoring component will be administered and staffed. Describe how
you will involve other local faith-based and community organizations in
recruiting mentors for this project. Describe what training you will
provide to mentors. Discuss who you will recruit to serve as mentors
(i.e., former prisoners that have successfully reintegrated back into
society).
How Will You Coordinate Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Other Health
and Supportive Services to Released Prisoners Who Require Such
Assistance? (10 points)
Provide examples of local partnerships that you have developed or
will develop to secure treatment and support services for released
prisoners. Because grant funds cannot be used to provide alcohol and
drug treatment, give examples of other resources that are available to
provide such services. Also give examples of local partnerships you
have developed or will develop to provide physical and mental health
services and provide letters of commitment detailing the partners'
roles, where applicable. Many released prisoners will be under court
orders to pay child support and/or restitution. How will you assist
these individuals in complying with these court orders? How will you
partner with agencies that serve ex-offenders, including SAMHSA,
Veterans Affairs, etc.? Describe how your program will connect with
workforce system programs to provide services to eligible veterans,
such as Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERs), Disabled
Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists, and in particular, the
Department of Veterans' Affairs Veterans' Integrated Service Network
(VISN) including the Incarcerated Veteran Re-Entry Specialist that is
assigned to VISN in the area being served and the programs provided to
incarcerated veterans through the VISN.
For this criterion, applicants will be evaluated on how
comprehensive and collaborative their program design is. Particular
elements to be evaluated include:
Partnerships with expected partners, including State
criminal justice agencies, probation and parole, Workforce Investment
Boards, housing partners, and other service providers (including
alcohol and drug treatment and mental health services);
Design of program elements, including employment and
education placements, job training, connections to employers
(particularly in high-growth, high-demand fields), and mentoring; and
Description of asset mapping or similar strategies to
locate and connect to existing resources in the area to provide support
services.
3. How Have You Coordinated in the Past and How Do You Plan To
Coordinate With State Criminal Justice Agencies, Probation, and Parole
in the Operation of Your Program? (20 points)
Describe your plans for working with State criminal justice
agencies, probation and parole in operating your program. Describe your
plans for obtaining referrals from State criminal justice agencies (the
majority of participants served by these grants should be direct
referrals from the DOJ PRI grant) and in gaining permission to enter
prisons for introductory meetings with prisoners soon to be released
into your community. Describe how you plan to coordinate with parole
and probation in providing post-release services for former prisoners.
Applicants should provide letters of commitment detailing the roles of
each partner and how participants will be referred if possible.
Describe past experience and/or contracts in which you worked with the
criminal justice agency in your State. Describe how you will partner
collaboratively with the State criminal justice agency to meet the
expected outcomes of this grant, including receiving referrals and on-
going updates regarding participant recidivism from the criminal
justice agency.
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
The existence of previously established relationships with
criminal justice agencies and probation and parole; and
The strategy for obtaining an on-going method of referrals
for soon-to-be-released offenders.
4. What is the quality and experience of your organization to
operate this initiative? (15 points)
Describe your organization and its qualifications for serving as
the local FBCO in this initiative. How long has your organization been
in existence in the area you plan to serve? What services and programs
has it previously provided in the urban area to be served by the grant?
Discuss the experience of the organization in operating re-entry and
employment programs, including the results of those programs (in terms
of individual service outcomes). Describe the qualifications of key
staff persons of your organization who may work on this project, and
their specific experience relating to this project. Also describe
previous experience of the organization in operating grants from either
Federal or non-Federal sources. Describe the fiscal controls in place
in your organization. What is your organization's current annual
budget? Also describe how you would expect to continue serving ex-
offenders once the Federal grant funds have been expended. What is your
organization's sustainability plan?
Applicants will be evaluated on the strength of their
organizational experience. Particular criteria include:
Length of time applicant has been operating in the
identified urban area within the target county(ies);
Previous experience of the applicant in serving ex-
offenders with re-entry and employment services;
Experience of key staff in relation to developing
employment and education programming for re-entry populations; and
The applicant's sustainability plan for continuing to
serve this population.
II. Award Information
What type of assistance instrument will be awarded under this
initiative?
Funds will be awarded under this initiative through grants for an
initial period of 1 year, with up to two additional option years
depending on the availability of funds and demonstrated performance. If
funding is
[[Page 51855]]
available beyond the first 3 years, additional years of performance may
be awarded through a competitive reevaluation based on satisfactory
performance and/or other factors.
What is the expected number of awards?
DOL expects to award grants for 19 projects.
What is the total amount expected to be awarded through this
announcement?
DOL expects to award a total of $5.7 million in initial grants
through this announcement.
What is the expected amount of individual awards?
DOL expects that initial awards will be approximately $300,000.
III. Eligibility Information and Other Grant Specifications
A. Eligible Applicants
Am I an eligible applicant for these grants?
You are eligible to apply for the DOL grants if you are a faith-
based or community organization and are located within or have a pre-
existing staff presence in an urban community within the target
county(ies) identified in the SUMMARY at the beginning of this
solicitation.
Who is eligible to be served under these grants?
Individuals 18 years old and older who have been convicted as an
adult and imprisoned pursuant to an Act of Congress or a State law, and
who have never been convicted of a sex-related offense other than
prostitution can be served with these grants. The majority of
participants served by these grants should be direct referrals from the
DOJ PRI grant. However, individuals who have been recruited from the
community may also be served. Such recruits must be enrolled in the
program within 180 days after their release from prison or a halfway
house, except that up to 10 percent of individuals served can be
enrolled over 180 days after their prison release. Services may be
provided to individuals who have been released from prison and are
residing in a halfway house. Participants referred from the DOJ
grantees' pre-release programs will have been given a risk assessment
but if the DOL grantee chooses to enroll additional participants from
the community, these returning offenders should not have a violent
presenting or past offense. The Grant Officer will consider the use of
waivers to serve individuals with violent past or presenting offenses
if necessary. These waivers would require the use of a validated risk
assessment tool.
This program is subject to the provisions of the ``Jobs for
Veterans Act,'' Public Law 107-288, which provides priority of service
to veterans and spouses of certain veterans for the receipt of
employment, training, and placement services in any job training
program directly funded, in whole or in part, by the Department of
Labor. Please note that, to obtain priority of service, a veteran must
meet the program's eligibility requirements. ETA Training and
Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 5-03 (September 16, 2003)
provides general guidance on the scope of the veterans priority statute
and its effect on current employment and training programs, and
additional guidance is available at the ``Jobs for Veterans Priority of
Services Web site'' (http://www.doleta.gov/programs/VETS/ VETS/).
B. Cost Sharing or Matching
Is cost sharing or matching required for these grants?
No, cost sharing or matching is not required, although leveraging
of resources is strongly encouraged in order to maximize the impact of
the project in the identified county. Applicants should describe what
resources, new and existing, may support the goals of the project.
While the failure to offer leveraged resources as a part of an
application will not preclude consideration of the application, it will
place the applicant at a competitive disadvantage over applicants that
do so to the extent that an applicant's ability to arrange for the
provision of separately funded housing, alcohol and drug treatment and
other health and social services will be factored into the evaluation
of the application. Leveraging of existing resources and committed
partners are an integral part of the PRI program model and are
necessary for a successful reentry program.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Address To Request Application Package
This SGA includes all information and links to forms needed to
apply for grant funding.
B. Content and Form of Application Submission
What are the content and form of application submission?
The proposal must consist of two (2) separate and distinct parts,
Parts I and II. Applications that fail to adhere to the instructions in
this section will be considered non-responsive and may not be given
further consideration. Applicants who wish to apply do not need to
submit a Letter of Intent. The completed application package is all
that is required.
Part I of the proposal is the Cost Proposal and must include the
following three items:
The Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance'' (available at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm). The SF 424 must clearly identify the applicant and be
signed by an individual with authority to enter into a grant agreement.
Upon confirmation of an award, the individual signing the SF 424 on
behalf of the applicant will be considered the Authorized
Representative of the applicant. In block 14 of the SF 424, the
applicant must specify the single county(ies) in which they plan to
serve. This designated county (or two in the instance of Louisiana)
must be on the list of target counties that received a DOJ PRI grant
this spring. The list can be found in the SUMMARY at the beginning of
this solicitation. DOL will deem non-responsive any application that
fails to designate the target county in which they will be operating.
All applicants for Federal grant and funding opportunities
are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number
provided by Dun and Bradstreet. See Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Notice of Final Policy Issuance, 68 FR 38402, June 27, 2003.
Applicants must supply their DUNS number on the SF 424. The DUNS number
is a nine-digit identification number that uniquely identifies business
entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To
obtain a DUNS number, access this Web site, http://www.dunandbradstreet.com, or call 1-866-705-5711.
The SF 424A Budget Information Form (available at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm). In preparing the Budget
Information Form, the applicant must provide a concise narrative
explanation to support the request. In addition, there should be a
detailed back-up budget that includes the number of staff to be hired,
delineated by position titles.
Please note that applicants that fail to provide the SF 424, SF
424A, and the budget narrative will be removed from consideration prior
to the technical review process. If the proposal calls for integrating
WIA or other Federal funds
[[Page 51856]]
or includes other leveraged resources, these funds should not be listed
on the SF 424 or SF 424A Budget Information Form, but should be
described in the budget narrative.
Applicants are also encouraged, but not required, to submit OMB
Survey N. 1890-0014: Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for
Applicants, which can be found at http://www07.grants.gov/agencies/forms_repository_information.jsp.
Part II of the application is the Technical Proposal, which
demonstrates the applicant's capabilities to plan and implement the
Prisoner Re-entry Initiative in accordance with the provisions of this
solicitation. The Technical Proposal is limited to twenty (20) double-
spaced, single-sided, 8.5 inch x 11 inch pages with 12 point text font
and one-inch margins. Applicants should number the Technical Proposal
beginning with page number one. Any pages over the 20 page limit will
not be reviewed. The guidelines for the content of the Technical
Proposal are provided in Section I (D) of this SGA.
In addition, the applicant must provide letters of support from the
criminal justice agencies which will release the prisoners and
supervise their release in the community and the local Workforce
Investment Board; a Time Line outlining project activities; and a two-
page Executive Summary. These additional materials do not count against
the 20-page limit for the Technical proposal, but may not exceed
fifteen (15) pages. Any supplemental materials over this page limit
will not be read.
Applications may be submitted electronically on www.grants.gov or
in hard-copy via U.S. mail, professional overnight delivery service, or
hand delivery. These processes are described in further detail in
Section IV (C). Applicants submitting proposals in hard-copy must
submit an original signed application (including the SF 424) and one
(1) ``copy-ready'' version free of bindings, staples or protruding tabs
to ease in the reproduction of the proposal by DOL. Applicants
submitting proposals in hard copy are also requested, though not
required, to provide an electronic copy of the proposal on CD-ROM.
C. Submission Dates, Times, and Addresses
What is the closing date for applications?
The closing date for receipt of applications under this
announcement is November 4, 2008. Applications must be received at the
address below no later than 4 p.m. (Eastern Time). Applications sent by
e-mail, telegram, or facsimile will not be accepted. Applications that
do not meet the conditions set forth in this notice will not be
honored. No exceptions to the mailing and delivery requirements set
forth in this notice will be granted.
To what address should I send my application?
To apply by mail, please submit one (1) blue-ink signed,
typewritten original of the application and two (2) signed photocopies
in one package to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration, Division of Federal Assistance, Attention: Jeannette
Flowers, Reference SGA/DFA PY-08-03, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room
N-4716, Washington, DC 20210. Information about applying online through
http://www.grants.gov can be found in the next paragraph of this
section. Applicants are advised that mail delivery in the Washington
area is delayed due to mail decontamination procedures. Hand delivered
proposals will be received at the above address.
Applicants may apply online through grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). It is strongly recommended that applicants applying
online for the first time via grants.gov immediately initiate and
complete the ``Get Registered'' registration steps at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. These steps may take
multiple days or weeks to complete, and this time should be factored
into plans for electronic application submission in order to avoid
unexpected delays that could result in the rejection of an application.
It is highly recommended that online submissions be completed at least
3 working days prior to the date specified for the receipt of
applications to ensure that the applicant still has the option to
submit by overnight delivery service in the event of any electronic
submission problems. If submitting electronically through grants.gov,
the components of the application must be saved as either .doc, .xls or
.pdf files.
Late Applications: Any application received after the exact date
and time specified for receipt at the office designated in this notice
will not be considered, unless it is received before awards are made,
was properly addressed, and: (a) Was sent by U.S. Postal Service
registered or certified mail not later than the fifth calendar day
before the date specified for receipt of applications (e.g., an
application required to be received by the 20th of the month must be
post marked by the 15th of that month) or (b) was sent by professional
overnight delivery service or submitted on grants.gov to the addressee
not later than one working day prior to the date specified for receipt
of applications. An application submitted through grants.gov will not
be considered ``received'' by the Department of Labor unless it is:
electronically submitted on grants.gov prior to the deadline;
``validated'' by grants.gov; and forwarded by grants.gov to the
Department of Labor. It is highly recommended that online submissions
be completed three working days prior to the date specified for receipt
of applications to ensure that the applicant still has the option to
submit by professional overnight delivery service in the event of any
electronic submission problems. Applicants take a significant risk by
waiting until the last day to submit by grants.gov. ``Postmarked''
means a printed, stamped or otherwise placed impression that is readily
identifiable, without further action, as having been supplied or
affixed on the date of mailing by an employee of the U.S. Postal
Service. Therefore, applicants should request the postal clerk to place
a legible hand cancellation ``bull's eye'' postmark on both the receipt
and the package. Failure to adhere to the above instructions will be a
basis for a determination of non-responsiveness. Evidence of timely
submission by a professional overnight delivery service must be
demonstrated by equally reliable evidence created by the delivery
service provider indicating the time and place of receipt.
D. Intergovernmental Review
Is an Intergovernmental Review required?
This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order (EO)
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
E. Cost Principles
All proposal costs must be necessary and reasonable in accordance
with Federal guidelines. Determinations of allowable costs will be made
in accordance with the applicable Federal cost principles, e.g., 29 CFR
95.27; Non-Profit Organizations--OMB Circular A-122. Disallowed costs
are those charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its
representative determines not to be allowed in accordance with the
applicable Federal Cost Principles or other conditions contained in the
grant. Applicants will not be entitled to reimbursement of pre-award
costs.
DOL grant funds must not be used to provide substance abuse
treatment. Such treatment should be made
[[Page 51857]]
available to persons enrolled in the program using resources available
through partnerships with other agencies. DOL grant funds must not be
used to provide housing assistance to participants. It is expected that
grantees will leverage existing community resources and provide
referrals to housing assistance through community organizations and
local agencies. DOL grant funds must not be used to provide assistance
to participants to cover the cost of healthcare. It is expected that
grantees will utilize existing resources in the community and refer
participants to these providers. DOL grant funds cannot be used to pay
for food to participants except as a needs-based payment through which
the participant can purchase food or by providing food baskets or
vouchers for food and household items as a supportive service to
enrollees. In the instance of these needs-based payments, it is
expected that the grantee will have a detailed policy in place
regarding the allowability and frequency of such provisions and such
payments should not exceed more than 1.5 percent of the grant program's
total operating budget.
Indirect Costs. As specified in OMB Circular Cost Principles,
indirect costs are those that have been incurred for common or joint
objectives and cannot be readily identified with a particular cost
objective. In order to utilize grant funds for indirect costs incurred,
the applicant must obtain an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement with its
Federal Cognizant Agency either before or shortly after the grant
award.
Administrative Costs. Under the PRI, an entity that receives a
grant to carry out a project or program may not use more than 10
percent of the amount of the grant to pay administrative costs
associated with the program or project. Administrative costs could be
both direct and indirect costs and are defined at 20 CFR 667.220.
Administrative costs do not need to be identified separately from
program costs on the SF 424A Budget Information Form. They should be
discussed in the budget narrative and tracked through the grantee's
accounting system. To claim any administrative costs that are also
indirect costs, the applicant must obtain an indirect cost rate
agreement from its Federal cognizant agency as specified above.
Salary and bonus limitations. In compliance with Pub. L. 109-234
and Pub. L. 110-5, none of the funds appropriated in Pub. L. 109-149,
Pub. L. 110-5, or prior Acts under the heading ``Employment and
Training'' that are available for expenditure on or after June 15,
2006, shall be used by a recipient or sub-recipient of such funds to
pay the salary and bonuses of an individual, either as direct costs or
indirect costs, at a rate in excess of Executive Level II, except as
provided for under section 101 of Public Law 109-149. This limitation
shall not apply to vendors providing goods and services as defined in
OMB Circular A-133. See Training and Employment Guidance Letter number
5-06 for further clarification: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2262.
Legal Rules Pertaining to Inherently Religious Activities by
Organizations that Receive Federal Financial Assistance. The government
is generally prohibited from providing direct financial assistance for
inherently religious activities (please see 29 CFR Part 2, Subpart D).
These grants may not be used for religious instruction, worship,
prayer, proselytizing or other inherently religious activities except
as provided in those regulations. Therefore, organizations must take
steps to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious
activities from the services funded under this program. Neutral, non-
religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavors religion will be
employed in the selection of grant recipients and must be employed by
grantees in the selection of sub-recipients.
A faith or community-based organization receiving ETA funds retains
its independence from federal, state, and local governments, and may
continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice,
and expression of its religious beliefs. For example, a faith or
community-based organization may use space in its facilities to provide
secular programs or services funded with federal funds without removing
religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In
addition, a faith or community-based organization that receives federal
funds retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may
retain religious terms in its organization's name, select its board
members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its
organization's mission statements and other governing documents in
accordance with all program requirements, statutes, and other
applicable requirements governing the conduct of ETA funded activities.
Faith and community-based organizations may also reference ETA
Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 01-05 (July 6,
2005), available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2088. Faith and community-based organizations may learn
about equal treatment and religion-related regulations through the
DOL's new online training course at Workforce3one (http://www.workforce3one.org). The course can be found by typing the key
words--equal treatment--in the search box on the upper right hand
corner of the page. If you are previously registered on this site, you
can find the course directly at http://www.workforce3one.org/public/_shared/detail.cfm?id=5566&simple=false.
ETA Intellectual Property Rights. Applicants should note that
grantees must agree to provide ETA a paid-up, nonexclusive and
irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use for federal
purposes all products developed or for which ownership was purchased
under an award, including but not limited to curricula, training
models, technical assistance products, and any related materials, and
to authorize them to do so. Such uses include, but are not limited to,
the right to modify and distribute such products worldwide by any
means, electronically or otherwise.
Additional Requirements. Federal funds may not be used to pay any
royalty or licensing fee associated with such copyrighted material,
although they may be used to pay costs for obtaining a copy which are
limited to the developer/seller costs of copying and shipping. If
revenues are generated through selling products developed with grant
funds, including intellectual property, these revenues are program
income. Program income is added to the grant and must be expended for
allowable grant activities.
F. Withdrawal of Applications
Applications may be withdrawn by written notice at any time before
an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by the
applicant or by an authorized representative thereof, if the
representative's identity is made known and the representative signs a
receipt for the proposal.
V. Application Review Information
A. Evaluation Criteria
What will be the criteria for award?
Panelists will rate proposals based on the following criteria,
which are explained in detail in Section I(D) of this SGA. These
criteria and point values are:
1. What is the need for the project in the county to be served by
the grant? (10 points)
2. What Is the Project Design and Service Strategy? (55 points)
3. How have you coordinated in the past and how do you plan to
coordinate with State criminal justice agencies,
[[Page 51858]]
probation, and parole in the operation of your program? (20 points)
4. What is the quality and experience of your organization to
operate this initiative? (15 points)
B. Review and Selection Process
How will applications be reviewed and selected?
Applications for the Prisoner Re-entry Initiative Grants will be
accepted after the publication of this announcement until the closing
date. A technical review panel will make a careful evaluation of
applications against the criteria set forth in Section V(A) of this
Solicitation. These criteria are based on the policy goals, priorities,
and emphases set forth in this SGA. Up to 100 points may be awarded to
an application, based on the required information described in detail
in Section I(D) of this Solicitation. The ranked scores will serve as
the primary basis for selection of applications for funding. If only
one organization applies within a county, a review panel will assess
that application and a technical acceptability determination will be
made. If determined to be technically unacceptable, DOL reserves the
right to not make an award within that county. Final selections will be
based on what is most advantageous to the Government, and are
contingent upon availability of funds. The panel results are advisory
in nature and not binding on the Grant Officer, who may consider any
information that comes to his attention. DOL may elect to award the
grant(s) with or without prior discussions with the applicants. Should
a grant be awarded without discussions, the award will be based on the
applicant's signature on the SF 424, which constitutes a binding offer.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
All award notifications will be posted on the ETA homepage (http://www.doleta.gov). Applicants selected for award will be contacted
directly before the grant's execution. Applicants not selected for
award will be notified by mail.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
1. Administrative Program Requirements
All grantees will be subject to all applicable Federal laws,
regulations, and the applicable OMB Circulars. The grant(s) awarded
under this SGA will be subject to the following administrative
standards and provisions:
a. Non-Profit Organizations--OMB Circulars A-122 (Cost Principles)
and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
b. Educational Institutions--OMB Circulars A-21 (Cost Principles)
and 29 CFR Part 95 (Administrative Requirements).
c. State and Local Governments--OMB Circulars A-87 (Cost
Principles) and 29 CFR Part 97 (Administrative Requirements).
d. Profit Making Commercial Firms--Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR)--48 CFR Part 31 (Cost Principles), and 29 CFR Part 95
(Administrative Requirements).
e. All entities must comply with 29 CFR Parts 93 and 98, and, where
applicable, 29 CFR Parts 96 and 99.
f. 29 CFR Part 2, subpart D--Equal Treatment in Department of Labor
Programs for Religious Organizations, Protection of Religious Liberty
of Department of Labor Social Service Providers and Beneficiaries.
g. 29 CFR Part 31--Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs
of the Department of Labor--Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964.
h. 29 CFR Part 32--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in
Programs and Activities Receiving or Benefiting from Federal Financial
Assistance.
i. 29 CFR Part 33--Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of
Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of
Labor.
j. 29 CFR Part 35--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in
Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the
Department of Labor.
k. 29 CFR Part 36-Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in
Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial
Assistance.
The following administrative standards and provisions may be
applicable:
a. Workforce Investment Act--20 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Part 667. (General Fiscal and Administrative Rules);
b. 29 CFR Part 30--Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship
and Training; and
c. 29 CFR Part 37--Implementation of the Nondiscrimination and
Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
In accordance with Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of
1995 (Pub. L. 104-65) (2 U.S.C. 1611) non-profit entities incorporated
under Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501(c)(4) that engage in
lobbying activities are not eligible to receive Federal funds and
grants.
Note: Except as specifically provided in this Notice, DOL/ETA's
acceptance of a proposal and an award of Federal funds to sponsor
any program(s) does not provide a waiver of any grant requirements
and/or procedures. For example, OMB Circulars require that an
entity's procurement procedures must ensure that all procurement
transactions are conducted, as much as practical, to provide open
and free competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity to
provide services, the DOL/ETA's award does not provide the
justification or basis to sole source the procurement, i.e., avoid
competition, unless the activity is regarded as the primary work of
an official partner to the application.
C. Special Program Requirements
Evaluation. DOL will require that the program or project
participate in an evaluation of overall performance of Prisoner Re-
entry Grants. To measure the impact of the Prisoner Re-entry Grants,
ETA may arrange for or conduct an independent evaluation of the
outcomes and benefits of the projects. Grantees must agree to make
records on participants, employers and funding available, and to
provide access to program operating personnel and participants, as
specified by the evaluator(s) under the direction of ETA, including
after the expiration date of the grant.
D. Reporting
The grantee is required to provide the reports and documents listed
below:
Quarterly Financial Reports. A Quarterly Financial Status Report
(ETA-9130) is required until such time as all funds have been expended
or the grant period has expired. Quarterly reports are due 45 days
after the end of each calendar year quarter, including the last
calendar quarter of the grant period. Grantees must use ETA's On-Line
Electronic Reporting System.
Quarterly Performance Reports. FBCOs will be required to submit
updated performance data on enrollment, services provided, placements,
outcomes, and follow-up status. A government-procured MIS system will
be provided to all grantees. Grantees will be required to have
industry-standard computer hardware and high-speed Internet access in
order to use the MIS system. Grant funds may be used with the prior
approval of the Grant Officer to upgrade computer hardware and Internet
access to enable projects to use the MIS system.
Quarterly Narrative Reports. The grantee must submit a quarterly
narrative report to the designated Federal Project Officer within 30
days
[[Page 51859]]
after the end of each quarter. Two copies are to be submitted providing
a detailed account of activities undertaken during that quarter. DOL
may require additional data elements to be collected and reported on
either a regular basis or special request basis. Grantees must agree to
meet DOL reporting requirements. The quarterly progress report should
be in narrative form and should include:
1. In-depth information on accomplishments, including project
success stories, upcoming grant activities, and promising approaches
and processes.
2. Progress toward performance outcomes, including updates on
product, curricula, and training development.
Quarterly financial reports, quarterly performance reports, and
quarterly narrative reports will all be provided electronically.
Final Report. A final report must be submitted no later than 60
days after the expiration date of the grant. This report must summarize
project activities, employment outcomes, and related results of the
training project, and should thoroughly document capacity building and
training approaches. The final report should also include copies of all
deliverables, e.g., curricula and competency models. Three copies of
the final report must be submitted to ETA, and grantees must agree to
use a designated format specified by DOL for preparing the final
report. A Closeout Financial Status Report is due 90 days after the end
of the grant period.
Record Retention. Applicants should be aware of Federal guidelines
on record retention, which require grantees to maintain all records
pertaining to grant activities for a period of not less than 3 years
from the time of final grant closeout.
VII. Agency Contacts
For further information regarding this SGA, please contact
Jeannette Flowers, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal
Assistance, at (202) 693-3332. (Please note this is not a toll-free
number.) Applicants should fax all technical questions to (202) 693-
2705 and must specifically address the fax to the attention of
Jeannette Flowers and should include SGA/DFA PY 08-03, a contact name,
fax and phone number, and e-mail address. This announcement is being
made available on the ETA Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/sga/sga.cfm, at http://www.grants.gov, as well as the Federal Register.
VIII. Additional Resources and Other Information
Resources for the Applicant
DOL maintains a number of web-based resources that may be of
assistance to applicants.
The Workforce \3\ One Web site, http://www.workforce3one.org, is a valuable resource for information about
demand-driven projects of the workforce investment system, educators,
employers, and economic development representatives.
America's Service Locator (http://www.servicelocator.org)
provides a directory of the nation's One-Stop Career Centers.
Career Voyages (http://www.careervoyages.gov), a Web site
targeted at youth, parents, counselors, and career changers, provides
information about career opportunities in high-growth/high-demand
industries.
Applicants are encouraged to review ``Help with
Solicitation for Grant Applications'' (http://www.doleta.gov).
For a basic understanding of the grants process and basic
responsibilities of receiving Federal grant support, please see
``Guidance for Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering
with the Federal Government'' (http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/index.html).
Other Information
OMB Information Collection No. 1225-0086.
Expires September 30, 2009
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless such
collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden
for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding
the burden estimated or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the OMB
Desk Officer for ETA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235,
Washington, DC 20503. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE COMPLETED APPLICATION TO
THE OMB. SEND IT TO THE SPONSORING AGENCY AS SPECIFIED IN THIS
SOLICITATION.
This information is being collected for the purpose of awarding a
grant. The information collected through this ``Solicitation for Grant
Applications'' will be used by the Department of Labor to ensure that
grants are awarded to the applicant best suited to perform the
functions of the grant. Submission of this information is required for
the applicant to be considered for award of this grant. Unless
otherwise specifically noted in this announcement, information
submitted in the respondent's application is not considered to be
confidential.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 29th day of August 2008.
James Stockton,
Employment and Training Administration, Grant Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-20570 Filed 9-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P